By Kim Hye-sung
Experts believe the rampant "healing" trend has a negative side in terms of fanning commercialism. Relevant goods and services comprise themed books, TV shows, products, and travel packages.
The experts argue that although these goods and services "attract" consumers, the products actually encourage consumerism and materialism.
This can deepen the sense of a gap between the haves and have-nots, as only the middle-class can afford such "luxuries." The have-nots, unable to participate in this nation-wide healing fervor, can easily be left feeling even more lost and miserable.
"Commercialized healing treats societal problems as individual problems, making it look as if it had been resolved," says Prof. Oh Young-jin, Hanyang University Korean Literature Department.
"We need to look at healing-themed products and programs from a critical perspective."
At Kyobo Bookstore, two of the top five bestsellers are about healing. On TV, talk shows like "SBS Healing Camp," "Aren't you happy?", "Thank you" and "Star Class" are all the rage.
Organic food in supermarkets emphasizes its freshness, eco-friendliness, and healing properties. Spas, hotels, yoga lessons, personal counseling and restaurants are marketing themselves in the name of providing consolation. Travel agencies are also coming up with various packages, including temple stays in Korea.
With the world economy in the doldrums and fierce competition at school and work, it seems natural for people to seek "healing products" to renew their minds and regain strength.
Organic food packaged with themes on healing, costs 10-30 percent more than conventionally mass-produced food.
One of the popular healing products, a medium container (22 ounces) of scented candles, costs 45,000 won. Services such as nail care, spa, and massage cost 20,000 won, 50,000 won and 70,000 won, respectively. A temple stay costs 50,000 won a night. Add transport costs and the stay can easily cost 100,000 won.
According to the 2013 Samsung Economic Research Institute report, the main reasons for the popularity of healing products are the prolonged economic recession, lack of communication with friends and family, increasing distrust of the government and pessimistic views about society.
However, today's healing products and services do not resolve these socio-economic phenomena, but provide only a temporary refuge. Moreover, excessive healing can degenerate into another form of commercialism, stirring up disappointment and pessimism.
"Self-help books and talk shows are filled with rhetoric, but lack substance," says pop culture critic Jung Deok-hyun.
"This can give people who turn to healing a greater feeling of loss."
True healing starts with love and care for oneself. Relieving stress and overcoming uncertainties do not come from avoiding reality, but through confronting fear.
Experts believe the rampant "healing" trend has a negative side in terms of fanning commercialism. Relevant goods and services comprise themed books, TV shows, products, and travel packages.
The experts argue that although these goods and services "attract" consumers, the products actually encourage consumerism and materialism.
This can deepen the sense of a gap between the haves and have-nots, as only the middle-class can afford such "luxuries." The have-nots, unable to participate in this nation-wide healing fervor, can easily be left feeling even more lost and miserable.
"Commercialized healing treats societal problems as individual problems, making it look as if it had been resolved," says Prof. Oh Young-jin, Hanyang University Korean Literature Department.
"We need to look at healing-themed products and programs from a critical perspective."
At Kyobo Bookstore, two of the top five bestsellers are about healing. On TV, talk shows like "SBS Healing Camp," "Aren't you happy?", "Thank you" and "Star Class" are all the rage.
Organic food in supermarkets emphasizes its freshness, eco-friendliness, and healing properties. Spas, hotels, yoga lessons, personal counseling and restaurants are marketing themselves in the name of providing consolation. Travel agencies are also coming up with various packages, including temple stays in Korea.
With the world economy in the doldrums and fierce competition at school and work, it seems natural for people to seek "healing products" to renew their minds and regain strength.
Organic food packaged with themes on healing, costs 10-30 percent more than conventionally mass-produced food.
One of the popular healing products, a medium container (22 ounces) of scented candles, costs 45,000 won. Services such as nail care, spa, and massage cost 20,000 won, 50,000 won and 70,000 won, respectively. A temple stay costs 50,000 won a night. Add transport costs and the stay can easily cost 100,000 won.
According to the 2013 Samsung Economic Research Institute report, the main reasons for the popularity of healing products are the prolonged economic recession, lack of communication with friends and family, increasing distrust of the government and pessimistic views about society.
However, today's healing products and services do not resolve these socio-economic phenomena, but provide only a temporary refuge. Moreover, excessive healing can degenerate into another form of commercialism, stirring up disappointment and pessimism.
"Self-help books and talk shows are filled with rhetoric, but lack substance," says pop culture critic Jung Deok-hyun.
"This can give people who turn to healing a greater feeling of loss."
True healing starts with love and care for oneself. Relieving stress and overcoming uncertainties do not come from avoiding reality, but through confronting fear.
