Why Korean Mothers Spend Entire Days Waiting in Their Cars
Why Korean Mothers Spend Entire Days Waiting in Their Cars Recently, I watched a short video that surprised many people. A well-known Korean actress was seen spending hours inside her car — eating simple meals, checking her phone, and waiting. Waiting for her daughter to finish class. All day. Many international viewers reacted with confusion. “Why doesn’t she hire a driver?” “Why wait that long?” “Isn’t that extreme?” But in Korea, the more surprising question is this: Why is anyone surprised? The Parking Lot Outside the Hagwon In South Korea, especially in large cities, it is common to see rows of cars parked outside private academies — known as hagwons . Inside those buildings, children study math, English, coding, music, debate. Outside, parents wait. Sometimes for one hour. Sometimes for three. Sometimes the entire evening. The cars become temporary offices. Lunchrooms. Resting spaces. Command centers. It is not unusual to see mothers eating kimbap in the driver’s seat, la...