It also does not explore potential benefits or positive aspects of this system, such as promoting social responsibility. The CSCS is framed as a threat for both Chinese and foreign firms’ business performance.

Sometimes even pushing companies to not act in their best interest but in the government’s. Even though it is based on research, this article has more of a « western perspective », presenting the Chinese system as inherently problematic.

The use of phrases such as « surveillance state capitalism » and « behavioral modification » positions the CSCS as a precursor to a centralized techno-authoritarian system. It is less about transparency or fairness and more about pressuring companies to follow the government’s agenda.

This article provides a critical, research-based overview of China’s Corporate Social Credit System (CSCS). It emphasizes its political function : reinforcing loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Thus, the article frames the CSCS as a state tool for political and social control.

China’s Corporate Social Credit System and Its Implications

sccei.fsi.stanford.edu/china-briefs...

The article ends with a more nuanced approach in the last paragraph. So, the author decided to use data and specific examples to expose the problem to readers before going deeper and giving some historical reasons for this situation. This finally leads to a moderated criticism of Korean materialism.

Even though his opinion is clearly stated throughout the article, the author declares that he is “not here to denounce materialism and preach about the importance of one’s inner values” after explaining some of the reasons why Korean society is so materialistic.

The author uses a hyperbolic expression to mock this materialist mindset: “you will often see Korean hikers […] equipped with gear that looks more suited for climbing Mount Everest”. The phrase “so they think” is also meant to emphasize the fact that the author is against this type of mentality.

Indeed, the data cannot be denied. The author also mentions his personal experience confronting the judgment of Koreans over his own golf apparel to create a proximity with the reader.

According to him, the reason behind this is that golf is mostly seen as a way to showcase their social class, and the clothes they wear while practicing are chosen for this purpose. Starting the article with these facts forces the reader to acknowledge the problem of materialism in Korea.

In this article about materialism in Korea, the author starts by making the readers understand his opinion through a demonstration. In fact, he explains that Korea has the largest golf apparel market in the world, even though it is far from being the country with the most golf courses.

Material and spiritual well-being - The Korea Times What country has the most golf courses? It’s the USA with about 17,000 courses, which makes up almost half of all the golf courses in the world. The second is Japan, with about 3,000 courses. Ko...

www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/2024...

A woman’s testimony is present later in the article to emphasize the idea that isolation is a real problem that can touch anyone, not only the stereotype of men who are obsessed with video games and other types of entertainment.

Then, several figures are given and the blame is put on the handling of Covid 19. The verb suffer is used to talk about hikikomori’s situation. So, this article is an example of system blame rather than person blame.

This testimony focused on his vain attempts to change his lifestyle. By using this testimony as an introduction to his article, the author tries to reach the reader’s empathy to open their mind on a subject that is often judged without trying to dig much deeper.

This article addresses the issue of isolation in Japan. From the title, the author starts to express the idea that government policies did not have the expected results with the use of the verb try. Justin McCurry decided to start his article with a testimony from a hikikomori.

Isolation nation: Japan tries to draw its citizens out of post-Covid seclusion The ranks of hikikomori, people who shun social life and stay at home, have swollen to almost 1.5 million of working age

www.theguardian.com/world/2023/m...

Tan argues that Japan is still far from gender equality because of deep-rooted traditions and slow political action. Okubo acknowledges the gap but insists that progress is underway and accelerating, driven by regulation and investor expectations.

Both articles cite the Global Gender Gap Index and Japan’s poor ranking, but Tan focuses on the implications of those numbers, like low female leadership and cultural barriers, while Okubo emphasizes recent gains and legislative changes, such as wage gap disclosures and board targets.

In contrast, Okubo’s article is optimistic and solution-oriented. While it opens with the same symbolic image of Japan’s lone male G7 representative, it quickly tackles progress, highlighting improvements in board diversity, new policies, and changing societal attitudes.

The "awkward photo-op" is used symbolically to highlight how Japan lags globally on gender equality, framing the issue as systemic, cultural, and resistant to change. The article emphasizes failure to deliver on policy promises and the limitations of superficial reforms.

The two articles Tan Ming Hui’s “An awkward photo-op” and Masaru Okubo’s “How Japan is bridging the gender gap”, present contrasting narratives on the same issue: Japan’s persistent gender inequality.
Tan Ming Hui adopts a critical, problem-focused lens.

esgclarity.com/how-japan-is...

“An awkward photo‑op”: Japan’s persistent gender problem A summit blunder begs the question of how women can fight for equality when they’re not even at the table.

www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

They could launch campaigns promoting mental health that involve famous idols as well. I believe the popularity of idols is an asset that should be used to convey this kind of important message to the Korean youth. Young people are indeed really influenced by the idols they look up to.

However, it could not guarantee the students will be willing to share their struggles. Finally, I think major entertainment agencies have a big role to play in changing societal norms in the Kpop industry and in South Korea. These companies should provide better mental health support to their idols.

TV ads and collaborations on social media with Korean influencers or idols that are popular among the younger generation could help normalizing the issue.
Schools could also implement a regular mandatory mental health check up session for their students.

@nayoungbishoff.bsky.social

To follow up on Nayoung
Bishoff's interesting intervention in my class today, I think the main potential solution to normalize seeking mental health treatment in Korea would be to advertize it more on diverse types of media and in schools.

However, each individual country developed its own identity and culture. I think that if the Chinese mentality was applied, Greece and Italy should be claiming European culture as theirs because a lot of its elements are derived from Greco-Roman civilization.

I personally think it is meaningless to accuse Korea of stealing Chinese culture when it is common knowledge that China has influenced many East Asian countries in various ways over the course of history. This obviously includes cultural traditions.