Kkondae (꼰대) Culture and South Korean Youth: Untangling a Micro and Macrosocial Suicide

Bryce Matthew Anderson

doi:10.4312/as.2025.13.sup.305-342

Authors

Bryce Matthew ANDERSON Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2025.13.sup.305-342

Keywords:

kkondae, suicide, fatalism, anomie, cultural ambivalence, Durkheim

Abstract

This study investigates the interplay between anomie and fatalism in understanding the high suicide rates among young adults in South Korea. Utilizing Émile Durkheim’s suicide typology, the research explores how societal expectations, enforced by the older generation through the concept of kkondae, contribute to the experience of normlessness (anomie) and oppressive regulation (fatalism) among young people. Through qualitative interviews with South Koreans aged 20-30, the study uncovers the significant stress these individuals face due to conflicting cultural values. These pressures, deeply rooted in South Korea’s rapid postwar development and history, create a tension between adhering to traditional collectivist values and pursuing individual autonomy, leading to feelings of alienation and disconnection. The study posits that anomie and fatalism, typically seen as opposing forces in Durkheim’s theory, can coexist within individuals, shaping their responses to societal pressures and contributing to suicidal behaviour. By foregrounding the voices of young South Koreans, this research challenges rigid theoretical frameworks and offers a nuanced understanding of the complex social dynamics influencing suicide. The findings emphasize the need for suicide prevention strategies that account for the related effects of anomie and fatalism and address the generational and cultural tensions exacerbating these conditions. This study contributes to the broader discourse on suicide by advocating for culturally sensitive approaches that prioritize local experiences and perspectives.

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