So one major reason why the small business vs. major corporation (재벌) trope is popular in Kdrama is because a large part of the Korean economy is composed of small business owners. This is a result of several lapses in the Korean economy as well as leftovers from the post-war foundation of Korea. There is also the chicken shop phenomenon of former salarymen in the 50s who cash out of their pensions due to layoffs and buy outs and other pressures... who then take that money and setup a chicken shop in their neighborhood. Andy’s analysis of the stagnation in East Asian economies are also super spot on. Love the podcast and thanks for keeping it going. - J
So one major reason why the small business vs. major corporation (재벌) trope is popular in Kdrama is because a large part of the Korean economy is composed of small business owners. This is a result of several lapses in the Korean economy as well as leftovers from the post-war foundation of Korea. There is also the chicken shop phenomenon of former salarymen in the 50s who cash out of their pensions due to layoffs and buy outs and other pressures... who then take that money and setup a chicken shop in their neighborhood. Andy’s analysis of the stagnation in East Asian economies are also super spot on. Love the podcast and thanks for keeping it going. - J