I’ve been thinking about this too and I agree with you. It’s okay that those who worked hard for something or for a position are shown respect, but this hierarchy-oriented structure gives a lot of openings for abuse of power and stuff.
As someone who has previously worked for a Korean company under a Korean boss, I can attest to this. There's always a hiearchy that must be followed. Your opinions don't matter if you're not in a higher position. I remember I was just 2 weeks in on the job and I made an honest reversible mistake but my Korean female boss got so angry with me that she shouted at me and humiliated me in front of everybody. The worst part was the whole office heard the whole thing and I was practically sobbing while she did that for almost an hour. I tried to explain myself but she was having none of it. And kept asking me why eventhough I answered her question. I even volunteered (in between sobs) to turn in my resignation letter just so I can immediately leave the company but she didn't accept it. Never in my whole career was I humiliated like that, only in that company. It's basically their work rule that you're not allowed to make a mistake at all. There have been many times that we disagreed and I tried to convince her to do the right thing but she always insisted on her own decisions. And when things don't work out 'cause we followed her directions, she puts all the blame on me and badmouths me to the CEO
The amount of bullying in the company from the Korean employees was so severe that people turn in their resignation in just 1-2 weeks. Btw we are of a different nationailty and they're basically relying on us to do all the transactions since they're not familiar with the process of running the business in our country
I used to work for 3 weeks straight including weekends for a project. I got so sick because of stress and lack of rest since I was not afforded a day off in that 3 weeks. I thought of killing myself then because I was so depressed and stressed out (not even joking about this). I came to her for help but she basically ignored my suggestion to hire another person to work the weekends. Since according to her, I can do the work by myself just fine. I swore I cried myself every night just to get through the days. I booted out of there after 5 months. She talked me into staying but I refused. She got angry at me cause she said I should've told her earlier that I was having a hard time at my job. I swear I wanted to strangle her right then and there out of frustration! Working there was a nightmare and if given a chance, I wouldn't want to work for a Korean company again because of all the trauma
Oh. It must be a terrible experience for you. :( I guess I am lucky for being born in my country, where this is not a practice. I don't know if I can endure such a treatment. I hope you are ok now with your work (as you are not working for that company anymore).
This is just a side note, but I think the South Korean culture of "respecting the higher ones (it doesn't necessarily mean the older ones, but kind of those who has higher ranking, for example more experience workers)" is somewhat too much.
Since there are more and more Korean manwha, I have met a lot of scenes when there are the similar type of bullying. Somehow the "elder" one has the right to shout, mock, humiliate the "younger", and the "younger" one can't even talk back.
My blood boils whenever I read those scenes. =))) wish I can bitch-slap the teacher when he was shouting