AnthroScope Korea

On December 29, 2024, South Korea was shaken by a devastating plane crash at Muan Airport. The aircraft, attempting to land, collided with a concrete wall, resulting in the tragic loss of all 175 passengers and four crew members, leaving only two survivors. The disaster cast a deep shadow over the nation, evoking painful memories of past tragedies such as the Sewol ferry sinking and the Itaewon crowd crush, both of which claimed countless lives in the past decade. As I observed the collective grief unfolding in Korea, I began to reflect on the ways different cultures cope with tragedy—particularly the differences between South Korea and the United States.

The United States has also endured profound tragedies, including the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, which took the lives of 26 people, many of them young children. Airline disasters, such as the recent American Airlines mid-air crash with an Army helicopter in Washington, DC, which claimed almost 70 lives, have also left lasting scars. In both Korea and the U.S., national tragedies trigger widespread sorrow and shock. However, the ways in which each country processes and responds to such grief reveal key cultural differences.

One of the most striking distinctions lies in how mourning is expressed on a national level. In Korea, grief is a deeply collective experience. Large-scale memorials and public gatherings provide an outlet for national mourning, with politicians and prominent figures offering condolences in highly visible ways. Families of victims often remain at the accident sites for extended periods, demanding accountability and answers. In the aftermath of the Muan plane crash, grieving families set up tents at the airport, demonstrating the country’s commitment to communal mourning and support.

In contrast, while tragedies in the United States also generate nationwide sorrow, the public grieving process is often shorter and more localized. Extensive media coverage follows major incidents, but the national focus typically fades within days, leaving affected families and close communities to grieve more privately. Rather than collective vigils spanning weeks, American mourning tends to be more personal, with an emphasis on allowing individuals the space to process their emotions in their own way.

These differences in grieving practices reflect broader cultural values. Korea’s strong sense of unity and shared responsibility means that grief is not just an individual burden—it is something the entire nation carries together. Mourning is highly visible, and there is an implicit expectation that people will publicly express their sorrow. In the United States, however, individualism shapes the grieving process, emphasizing personal healing over prolonged national remembrance. The cultural priority is to respect the privacy of those most affected rather than maintaining a long-standing public dialogue.

As a Korean student attending boarding school in the U.S., I have felt the weight of these cultural contrasts firsthand. When tragedies like the Sewol ferry disaster or the Muan plane crash occur, I experience a deep emotional connection to my homeland, even from afar. Watching news reports of grieving families gathered in tents, and sensing the sorrow in my own relatives, I feel a profound collective mourning that transcends physical distance. Conversely, while I have witnessed grief in the U.S. following heartbreaking events, I have noticed that my American friends’ emotional responses often seem more subdued and short-lived in comparison.

Reflecting on these differences, I have come to realize that cultural identity operates on multiple levels. While surface-level differences such as language, fashion, food, and music are easily observed, the way societies process grief reveals deeper cultural values. Mourning is not just an emotional response – it is an expression of national identity, history, and collective consciousness.

Although grief may seem like a universal experience, the way it is expressed and processed varies significantly between cultures. By analyzing these differences, we gain a deeper understanding of how cultural identity is shaped by history, tradition, and social norms. Recognizing these layers is crucial in appreciating the complexities of human emotion and connection across different societies.