True, lots of places (but I suppose maybe not everywhere) have really wide roads with tons of lanes so it’s easy to drive around with SUV’s, but this is generally not true in Europe where, even in large cities, often roads/lanes are narrower, making SUV’s unwieldy for those driving around them.

Then there’s the pollution aspect which I can’t address, but I imagine SUV’s pollute more on average than other cars (and probably Europe is currently being a bit more stingy on allowing this)

That’s a lot of nuts!

I have very limited, but non-zero knowledge of Korean society and I agree with what you say at the higher echelon of the most ambitious students (of which I actually met several and fit your remark perfectly), I guess when I wrote I had in mind the various ones I met who just weren’t chasing the same goals and were content (or not fussed) to study elsewhere.

Rethinking the article though, I’m in agreement with you that the percentages mentioned are not really surprising (especially the second one)

I understand that prestige is super important, especially for those who want high achieving careers, so it makes sense kids decide to hold off one year if they can get in a school that will greatly improve or maintain the type of life they’re used to, but I’m still a bit surprised to hear that so many kids do that.

The other universities are good too! A friend of mine graduated from one in Daegu and now has a good job in Seoul living well and supporting his family.

Sure, I suppose if they’d graduated from Seoul university, they might be doing even better, but I wonder if going to Seoul university and ending up being average is considered better than someone graduating with flying colors from a “less important” university. Hell, I’ve seen tons of people graduating from “less important” US institutions and now doing as well than peers from top institutions

Anyhow, it’s complicated: ambition is important, but if kids don’t get in they might feel like their life is over, when there are plenty of other good options