It's an event
highly anticipated, taking place this afternoon
in the north of Seoul, the capital
from South Korea. A sports meeting
of a new kind, as popular as
Football World Cup. In front of the Olympic stadium, the atmosphere
is worthy of a science fiction film. super heroes
and more than 10,000 supporters, of all ages,
boosted. They are all there to assist
to a national championship, video games
in network. We call that
of e-sports. In this Asian country, the inhabitants
are passionate about this new discipline. There are several hundred
professional players, and millions of fans
who worship them. It's a game
well known in Korea. There are fan clubs like
ours who attend all the games. It's a real phenomenon. I am disguised
in DJ Sauna. He's a character
of the video game. She fights with a star-shaped weapon.
She is very strong and very beautiful. And she has big breasts,
Unlike me. Smeb is one of the rising stars
of this new sport, and a star in Korea. Here, its popularity is comparable
to that of a European football player. At only 20 years old, he is
the captain of the Rox Tigers. In French,
super cool Tigers. One of the two teams qualified for
the grand finale of this national championship. I am going to fight,
we have to win. You are going to fight
my son ! Smeb stopped his studies
two years ago. To devote himself entirely
to this electronic sport. Around him, the members
of his family encourage him. My son is very famous. It's a
eSports star here. In the street, people
recognize it. As a mother,
I am very proud of him. In the beginning, when he told me
that he was going to quit his studies, to become a professional player,
I was worried, I disagreed. But since he was very motivated,
I ended up letting him. Now he is successful,
I find it good. I think
that he did well. For the family, the challenge
is considerable. The winners of this final
will pocket €100,000. But more importantly,
sponsors. These young players are
funded by major brands. On average, Smeb earns
€60,000 per year. If he wins, he can
win new contracts, and hundreds
thousands of euros. So, before kick-off,
he stays focused. We're doing one last game
so as not to lose control. It'll be great,
I'm really looking forward ! We will beat them
I'm sure. I already imagine us
brandishing the cup. More than a sports meeting,
the competition is a real show, broadcast live on television
and watched by millions of viewers. Ladies and gentlemen, I
request to welcome the two teams, for the grand finale
of the Korean Championship. Let's go for
4 hours of fighting. The game takes place
in three rounds. Each team
has five players. They face each other with their keyboards
and their mice in these glass cages, to be isolated from noise. Spectators follow
the competition on these giant screens. The principle of the video game
is the simplest. Both teams have an army each
superheroes with supernatural powers. Their goal, to combine skill and strategy to
destroy the adversary and conquer his territory. Smeb! Watch out for the bomb!
Everyone is there, it is fighting. Eyes on their son, the parents
de Smeb anxiously counts the points. Not now,
I'm focused here! They are a little tense because
things are not going very well for their son. After more than 3 hours of competition,
the 2 teams are tied, one set everywhere. But the opponents
Super Cool Tigers, are on the verge
to win the last round. 30 seconds left in the game
the Rox Tigers are in bad shape. If the SK team wins, it will be
their fifth victory in the final. It's over, it's over!
The SK team won! A news
SK victory! It's lost, the cup and the €100,000
rewards are for opponents. For Smeb and all his fans
the dream is shattered. I'm sad, my son played well
but the other team was stronger. I hope he wins
the next game. I am anyway
very proud of him. This is the third consecutive year that Smeb
and his teammates lost in the final. But they haven't lost everything.
They leave with a check for €60,000, Smeb accuses everything
likewise the blow. Honestly, I'm very
angry to have lost. But I'll give it my all
for the next game. The national championship cup will be
maybe for next year. In the meantime, the Super Cool Tigers will have
other opportunities to stand out. In Seoul, there are several competitions
like this every month, just as popular. Famous for
its K-pop stars, who imposed their musical style
and their unusual dances to the whole world. South Korea is
a small country in Asia, stuck between Japan, China
and his enemy brother to the north. One of the worst
dictatorships around the world. Its capital, Seoul, a megalopolis
of 25 million inhabitants, is the showcase of this company
at the cutting edge of technology, and innovation. With no less than 30 million telephones
laptops for 50 million inhabitants, it is the most connected country in the world
and the world leader in smartphones. Its emblems are Samsung,
LG or Hyundai. Flooding multinationals
the planet of their products. At the forefront of robotics,
Korea is inventing the society of tomorrow. An economic miracle
because 50 years ago, this territory of Asia was among
the poorest on the planet. The secret of this success, the spirit
of competition that the country cultivates to the extreme. Work rhythms
are frantic there, more than 60 hours per week,
among the toughest in the world. Exceptionally, we have
been allowed to film behind the scenes, of an emblematic company of the country,
Posco, the Korean steel giant. To its employees, the multinational
requires unlimited dedication. Let's go for
Posco's motto! "Employee dedication is the basis
to ensure the prosperity of Posco!" "Posco is the best". To survive in this
highly competitive company, Koreans are
ready for anything. The latest trend, using
to cosmetic surgery, to please employers and make
the difference during a job interview. I've wanted it since
a long time, I'm ready. I'm eager to. others pay
fortunes to shamans, to ward off the evil eye and ensure
the smooth running of their business. And children are not spared
by this race for excellence. In second grade, Youngjae is submitted
to incredible academic pressure. Between the program of his high school
and its evening classes, his days are longer
3 p.m., a world record. We Korean students finish
our homework even if it's 1am or 2am. We do not have a choice. What is the secret of the miracle
South Korean economy? And what are the failings of
this race for performance? South Korea survey,
a small country at the forefront, determined to play
in the big leagues. In Seoul, the fascination of Koreans
for new technologies, sometimes exceeds the imaginable. Mr Qwon is the head of a clinic
renowned cosmetic surgery. He is rich
but rather discreet. Of his fortune, we will only see
its impressive collection of cars, rare pieces estimated at several
tens of thousands of euros. But he agreed to show us
something more precious in his eyes, her two little dogs
not really obedient. Come on, go up! Chengdu 1 and Chengdu 2 are worth
gold because they were cloned... Go Chengdu,
hurry up ! Unthinkable in Europe,
the cloning of pets, is totally legal
in South Korea, and fully accepted. Mr Qwon had the heart
broke a year ago when Chengdu died,
her beloved little poodle. So he called
to science to resuscitate him. I was so sad
when my dog died. I did not hesitate a
moment to have it cloned. Korea is number 1 in the world
on cloning technologies. We are the best
in this domain. I went
eyes closed. This afternoon, Mr Qwon
takes his two clones, in the clinic
where they were created. He wants them to pass
a medical visit. In the suburbs of Seoul,
the establishment practices commercial cloning, dogs for 10 years.
It is unique in the world. Good morning,
you're welcome. The practice is still
reserved for an elite, because to get a replica
exact of his dog, it costs €80,000. Good morning ! So here the staff takes care
of its very privileged customers. No queue, Mr Qwon
is immediately received, by the chief veterinarian. Her two five-month-old puppies
are not sick, but one of the two does not arrive
to open his right eye, and Mr Qwon
is a little worried. What do you think doctor? This eye problem
is it related to cloning? Or did it happen
at the time of childbirth? Sometimes the eyes
of a cloned dog do not develop well. I think in a few years,
he will have to operate, because the eye is degenerating
and it can become problematic. It's a routine operation
for the clinic, but it's not
necessarily reassuring. And Mr Qwon heard a lot
rumors about cloning. I was told about a cloned dog who was
in perfect health until its 5 years. Then it started to be
weaker, to play less. Do you know
this story ? What I can tell you is that the
first cloned dog in our clinic, was born in 2007 and he wears
very well today. In ten years, more than 700 small clones
came out of this clinic. Customers come
of the whole world. To duplicate his dog,
no need to move, just send a direct debit
of skin or organs by mail. Technicians extract
then the animal's DNA, and they inject it into
a female's egg. It is time
cloning. The success rate
is 40%. Thank you so much !
Bye. Mr Qwon
is relieved. Apart from this little problem
to the eye, nothing abnormal. Before leaving, he holds
to thank the owner of the clinic. Good morning, how are you doing ? They have grown well! Dr. Wong is one of
cloning pioneers. He is also a very controversial man.
which caused a scandal a few years ago, after publishing work
wrong about human cloning. Since then, he refuses to answer
to questions from journalists. OK well received ! But cameras are welcome
when it comes to advertising. That day, a Chinese television filmed
cesarean delivery, of the last child
clinic clone. The dog that I will give birth to
will be of the same race as this one. a month ago
Today. The 2 dogs have
the same genes. They are not brothers but have been
cloned with the same genes. The show
is well established. A great promotion in perspective
for Doctor Wong. After South Korea,
the scientist hopes, develop cloning
animal trade in China. In Seoul, wealthy individuals are not
the only ones to use the services of Dr. Wong. These German Shepherds were
ordered by the government. They should join soon
the ranks of Seoul police units. These dogs were cloned with the genes
of a very special American dog. He saved the last survivor
from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, during the attacks
from New York. This is a very good example for
show how science, can help
the society. These dogs will surely
one day serve the police. To detect drugs, hunt
criminals and even save people. Nothing says that these dogs
will perform well in the ranks of the police. They inherited the genes
of a heroic German Shepherd. But cloning does not allow
to transmit the character of the animal. Come this way ! Mr. Qwon made some
bitter experience. He fell in love
for its two new Chengdu, but he still has
not mourn. So every night, the same ritual
before going home, he spends a few minutes in front of the tomb
of his deceased dog to collect himself. You know I think if it was
to do it again, I would not do it again. Even if the appearance is the same, their spirit
and their character are very different. And I realized that I was
attached to memories, of those good times spent with Chengdu,
and not its appearance. Contrary to
to European countries, where animal cloning collides
to questions of ethics, here the subject is not debatable
and the practice has a future. Come on, follow me! South Korea bets
on new technologies. This race for progress allowed him
to move from underdevelopment, ranked 11th among the great powers
world economies in less than 50 years. A meteoric rise that the country must
also to a very specific work culture. Officially, Koreans
spend 52 hours a week at the office, but they do well
often more than 60 hours. almost twice as much
than the French. In Seoul, the capital, it is not uncommon
to see the offices still lit, right in the middle
of the night. Exceptionally, a famous
multinational opened its doors to us. It's 4 a.m. at Hyundai headquarters,
the Korean automobile giant, and several employees
make extras. Tchong Sang is charged
Communication. A profession that is not exercised
normally not at night. Except in South Korea. As I work in marketing,
I have to do a press review. I select articles and I
post on company website. I get up early and I work early,
but I think I contribute, to the proper functioning of society
because I give essential information. This morning, Tchong is not
the only one on duty. Others have outright
spent the night at the office. In this rest room, about ten
employees are catching up on lost sleep, as they can. Lying on these benches
or in these adapted armchairs. It's common here
and no one is surprised. I do not really know
why they sleep there. They may have arrived
early in the office, like me. Anyway, they have
need some rest. Tchong Sang has finished
his press review. Before the big morning rush,
he too enjoys a moment of calm, to take a nap. For the well-being
of its employees, the company has invested in
state-of-the-art massaging seats. A luxury. When I have sleepless nights at work
I often come here to rest. They are really very comfortable
these massage chairs. And I say thank you to my company for
having them installed for us employees. Today, Chong Sang
go to work 2 p.m. Per week,
he makes more than 60. As for holidays, he is only entitled
that at ten days a year, and it is rather frowned upon
to take them all. These infernal cadences have been
established in the 1960s, to revive the country
ruined by war. But recently the government
trying to turn the tide, because to spend his life in the office
is not synonymous with efficiency. Korean employees are among
least productive in developed countries. Good morning. So for two years, Hyundai has been putting
set up poster campaigns, and American methods
to rationalize working time. This morning, Tchong Sang is participating
to a meeting with the director of his department. Amongst the collaborators,
a strange guest... This cube. This is the company's latest find
to limit the duration of meetings. You have to turn it on and then
choose the duration of the meeting. 5mins, 15mins
and even 1 hour. Today will be 30 minutes,
that's the time I need. It's a first step,
but habits are tenacious. With or without a cube, meetings
usually overflow, and employees continue
to work overtime, beyond reasonable. And there is worse... In South Korea, the border between
private life and professional life, is often blurry. And even after work, many
employees spend more time, with their colleagues
than with their families. Management Guong Jiang,
1 hour by plane from Seoul. It is here by the sea, that Posco,
the fourth largest steel producer in the world, installed part
of its factories. five square kilometers
dedicated to metallurgy. A city within the city of size
of an average Parisian district, Built from scratch
by the multinational. 6500 employees
work there behind closed doors. The firm imposes a discipline almost
military, the antithesis of the French model. It's 8 a.m.
in the morning, their day begins
always the same way. A gym session and slogans
to the glory of the company. Let's go for
Posco's motto! Employee dedication is the foundation
to ensure the prosperity of Posco. Posco will grow if all employees
comply with safety rules. Posco is the best. As a good soldier, Tai Sung participates
this ritual every morning for 20 years. It is important
to chant his slogans. It allows us
to keep morale high. Tai Sun is a worker, he takes care
machine maintenance. On average, he works
12 hours a day, without counting the hours
additional unpaid. But here it is normal.
The key word is dedication. And all day the employees
respect codes, to show their loyalty
towards the company. In the first place,
extreme politeness. This morning, Tai Sung made an appointment
with its spare parts supplier, in order to diagnose
a broken down machine. Just change the remote control,
the rest works. The case is quickly settled, but before
to leave his supplier, Tai Sung puts the forms
to show respect. In South Korea,
it is mandatory. when you meet someone
for the first time, we must bow. And after,
we shake hands. It's the same thing
for old people. Relatives or subordinates,
we have the right to greet them with the hand. But to greet his superiors
we have to bow down, to show
his respect. These are the rules
courtesy in South Korea, Second golden rule,
respect for hierarchy. In Korean companies,
impossible to question, the decisions of his superiors,
even if they are wrong. Everyone must
stay in place. And to remind
this principle to employees, here again,
there are codes. Tai Sung and his colleagues have a meeting
to take stock of the repairs in progress, to address each other
they don't use their first names, but their titles,
like in the army. Manager, how is it going
with our supplier at the factory? There is a problem
with the measurements. It will take three months
to do it all over again. Head of synthesis, how do we do
for safety standards? Head of Development called me to
that I ask Synthesis Assistant, to take stock. Seen from France, such a protocol
could make you smile, but in South Korea,
it is very serious. Calling us by
the titles of our functions, it makes us responsible. I think it's better for the efficiency of the
work because the hierarchy is better respected. He is a bit
after 7 p.m. Tai Sung and his colleagues
dispatched urgent problems. So tonight no extras, workers
can go home with peace of mind. But leaving their office,
they do not leave Posco for all that. Because the city that surrounds their factory
fully owned by the multinational. The stadium, the schools,
homes, shopping malls, and even public transport.
Everything was built by the steel giant. The conditions are ideal
for us and our families. There is everything here. The company has it all planned
to make us feel good, in this city
and at the factory. And that's good, that we
gives more motivation, to give us
thoroughly in our work. Tai Sung lives in this workers' town
five minutes drive from the office. Hi !
I'm back. With his wife
and her two children. A modest 4-room apartment
that he bought back €55,000 from the company. Since we got married,
we lived here, in the Posco village. With my wife, we never lived anywhere else
and we really like this apartment. Tai Sung's wife is a stay-at-home mom.
Together they have lived here for 20 years. But the couple don't often
the opportunity to share intimate moments, because Tai Sung usually stays late at the factory
and after work he goes out with his colleagues. Tonight he invited them to his house
to celebrate with the children, the end of school exams. - Good evening !
- Good evening. Among the guests,
a technician and his wife. And two women whose husbands
are still at the factory. You don't feel like
to work overtime? No not at all. If we weren't here, we would surely be
together in a bar having drinks. You know, our neighbors are also
our colleagues, we all live together. We feel close, and for me,
this is not a problem. For everyone,
An evidence. But Tai Sung and his colleagues
push the envelope even further. We are
Friday night. This week-end,
they are resting, but they planned to participate
to a charitable activity, organized by
the multinational. Cheers ! The next morning, in a small
village 1 hour drive from the factory. Does everyone
got his tools? It feels like a day at work,
except it's Saturday. Posco workers volunteer
on behalf of their company, to kick
of hand to the peasants of the corner. We come to repair their tractors
or their iron gates. We come to help them because they are poor
and they don't have the means to do so. In South Korea, the economic boom
caused a rural exodus. Many villages meet
depopulated and impoverished. So Tai Sung and his colleagues
use their expertise. Look at the space between
the door and the wall! - Yes OK,
I see ! It closes poorly. We'll fix this. It's good
what Posco does. The charity operation is a great
publicity stunt for the company, and it doesn't cost him
almost nothing. It is the Posco workers who put
hand in the wallet to finance the operation. We, the employees, we
donate 1% of our salaries, to contribute to the activities
company social. With this money,
we buy the materials, that we need to work,
including iron and we buy it from Posco. It's true that our lives
revolve around the business. I work and live
in a Posco apartment. I raise my children there and I was able to finish my
studies thanks to a grant from the company. So it's normal that I give
of my free time at the company. It's a fair
things back! This model allowed South Korea
to emerge from underdevelopment. But it shows
its weaknesses today. Several financial crises
have been there, and for the first time
of its history, the country knows
unemployment. At 3.7%, the rate remains
low compared to France. But the competition has become
even more ruthless. In Seoul, many residents
find themselves excluded from the system, and poverty appears
now in broad daylight. Grandma, come here!
Have you already eaten or not? - No not yet.
- Do you want this rice cake? - Yes thanks. Choï is a pastor. For several years, this fervent
Protestant defends the cause of the poorest. Every Saturday he organizes a soup
popular in the northeast of the city. On the menu today
unsold food, ceded by
local traders. Rice with peas, meat
in sauce and fried tofu. Take only what you
get to eat, don't waste. Probably the only meal of the day
for these men and women in need. That day, they are fifty
to devour their lunch, face turned to the wall,
steeped in shame. Here you have people who
were CEOs of large corporations, others who were
university professors. They have all become poor
after the financial crisis. However, they participated
to the economic development of the country. They also have
paid a lot of taxes. But today the government
does not recognize them. He wants to hide
misery in Korea. He drops them. Among those in need,
a majority of elderly people. In South Korea, nearly 3 million of
they live below the poverty line. The system is in question
of retirement. It has not been set up
that at the end of the 1980s, and many seniors have not contributed
enough to earn a decent pension. Most of them live in
abandoned neighborhoods like this. Regularly, the pastor
Choi visits them. When I stay too long
no news, I'm worried. I always wonder
if they are still there if they have a problem
or if they are deceased. I'm still worried. A few days ago, one of
his proteges no longer gives any sign of life. A 60-year-old man who
lives in this decrepit building. The pastor wants to make sure
that everything's OK. Good morning ! There is someone ?
Ho are you doing ? Have you eaten ? No, I haven't eaten. Why you
haven't eaten? I was lying down. We have to eat
to live. I will not
not enter. I wanted to ask you if you
liked the rice cakes. Yes I like that. Here, eat this. A few years ago, Mr. Kim was
draftsman for architects' offices, but his business
were not flourishing. Today, he finds himself without
retirement with only resource, state aid. €300 per month,
the Korean equivalent of the solidarity income. An insufficient amount for
have decent housing. This 5m² room at €150 per month
is all he can afford. When I sleep, I unfold
a sheet on the floor. As I'm sick, I wedge the pillow
between my legs and then I lie down. In this box, Mr Kim piles up
all his personal effects. clothes, books,
memories and some devices, that he was able to save
of his old life. That's my
computer. Here is my
television, and these are memories
of my childhood. For amenities,
you have to go to the landing. Mr. Kim shares them with
about twenty tenants, who live in the
same conditions as him. It's the shower
for everyone. Here are the toilets
old-fashioned communities. We are always told that
Korea is an advanced country. But look for yourself...
It is a scandal ! Inequalities among the rich
and the poor are very high. Come on, take
care of you. See you soon. Pastor
must leave. Others left for
account are waiting for his visit. Even 20 years ago, most
pensioners lived with their children, under the same roof. But economic progress has changed
mentalities and tradition have been lost. Today, after 60 years, many
seniors find themselves on their own. To get by, they are often
forced to return to work. Damn ! This grandmother is 81 years old,
like all Korean retirees, she touches
state aid. But to improve his daily life,
she collects paper and cardboard, that she finds in the street for
resell them to landfills. I would never have
thought it would end like this. I worked all my life
as a housekeeper, I did some ironing
I've been doing this for over 30 years, and now my legs hurt.
But I have no choice. 4 hours a day, doubled over for
picking up papers or pushing that cart. A work
grueling. But Mrs Choi
couldn't find anything better. Her two grown children try
to help him from time to time, but they are not rich enough
to meet his needs. So, tirelessly, she brings back
his loot to the dump. For this first delivery,
she will receive ten euros. The price depends
weight. - How many kilos do you have?
- 50 kg, - It's good
For me ! The recycler
always tell me, "you are in poor health,
you should stop". But I do not have
a lot of money... Even if my hip hurts, I prefer
working rather than doing nothing. On average, this work
brings him 200€ per month. Added to 300€
social aid. This nest egg allows him to live
decently in this small two-room apartment. But at over 80,
the pensioner is worried. At this rate, she wonders every day
how long she can last. I am not
not happy. Very often in the evening I think about dying
because life is too difficult. I pray every night not to
open my eyes before falling asleep. I'm eager to
to join God. Ms Choi's remarks
reveal a sad reality. South Korea holds the record
world's highest suicide rate. On average, 40 people
kill themselves every day. It's twice
more than in France. In Seoul, the bridges are
all under surveillance. And to help candidates for suicide,
teams of lifeguards take turns 24 hours a day. But despite their efforts,
the authorities are struggling to stem the problem. And in recent years, suicide
also affects young people. The reason ? school pressure
overwhelming. When it comes to education, South Korea is
one of the most successful countries on the planet. Its high schools are among the best
and his students occupy the top of the podiums. A national pride. But this success
pays a high price. Young Koreans are
also the most stressed in the world. It's 7 a.m. in Seoul,
in the very chic district of Gangnam, Madame Park prepares breakfast
but this morning, she has a problem... Her husband is already
gone to work, and she does not arrive
to wake up her 16 year old son. His name is Yunjae. Wake up !
Come on, wake up! I can still sleep
10 minutes, please, mom? If Yunjae has so much
hard to wake up, it's because he sleeps very little,
no more than 5 hours per night. An incredible rhythm for
a growing teenager. The rest of his time
he devotes it to his studies. His dream would be to integrate after
the baccalaureate at a prestigious university, and for that he must
to be among the best. Yunjae! are you standing He's so tired
he can't get up. 30 minutes later, the young boy
finally shows the tip of his nose, but he is late. So no breakfast
he will content himself with a banana. See you tonight ! Hi ! Let's go for
his daily marathon. More than 15 hours of study every day,
from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. An insane schedule,
unique in the world. First stage,
high school. Yunjae is in second
in one of the best in Seoul. Here the uniform
is rigorous. The girls and the boys
are in separate classes, and discipline
is strict. Everyday we have to drop
our cell phones here. It's the rules. On the program this morning a lesson
of economics taught by this professor. The course may be interesting,
from the first minutes, some pupils
nose dive. Like Yunjae, they do
long days, so they catch up on their sleep
late as they can. Yunjae starts
he too dozed off. Of himself he decides
to sit at the back of the class, behind this
high table. It was placed there to allow
students to combat fatigue. Standing, without a chair...
Difficult to fall asleep. If I stay seated,
I'm going to sleep. I'm sure. I have already had several warnings
and from 3, I am deducted points. So I do everything for
don't lose any more. In high school, all students
start the year with 54 points, but at the slightest mistake,
they can lose. Sleep in progress
costs two points. reach zero,
it is exclusion. So everyone
stands squarely. It is the head teacher who
keeps the accounts with its software. And he's not kidding
with discipline. When I click on a name,
I can know everything on behavior
of the pupil, to the hour and in particular
if he lost points. Watch Yunjae
For example, he slept in class yesterday
despite my warnings, so I had to
to take away 2 points. His mother immediately
received a message, that way she can lecture him
when he comes home at night. It's really a good method
to enforce discipline. This system was set up
Four years ago, when the state prohibited punishment
bodily within the school. But some
habits die hard, and beware of students who
heckle in the hallways. It's 4 p.m.
classes end, but the daily marathon
from Yunjae continues. After passing by
more than 7 hours in high school, he must now chain
5 hours of private lessons. I'll be fine
rest ! But the day is not
still over for me. And the young boy
must not drag on, because his mother is waiting for him
lead him to a private academy. It is a school that
provides intensive courses. In Seoul, 90% of students attend
these establishments after their high school. South Korea is a small country
and we have few natural resources. our wealth,
these are the brains. So we invest
in the education of our children. That's what we
have more expensive. Hi Mom ! For his evening classes, the parents
from Yunjae pay €900 per month. It's expensive, but in South Korea,
education is priceless. For 5 hours, the young boy will continue
math exercises. The goal is not
to correct its shortcomings, but to get ahead
on the school curriculum. In Seoul alone, there are 30,000
establishments like this. A parallel education system
supposed to guarantee success. Bye
and see you tomorrow ! 10 p.m., Yunjae can finally
to return to his place. Before leaving he must
point as at the factory. His parents can check
that he does not skip class. It's here, finally!
It feels good ! Now I can
finally go home, take a shower
and go to bed. Every evening
between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., thousands of schoolchildren leave
like him these academies. A surprising sight
in the streets of the capital. But the most incredible thing is that after
have spent 12 hours in classrooms, Yunjae still has
not done his homework. So before going to bed, last
halt in the study room of his residence. Many buildings have
pieces like this, to allow students
to revise quietly. I am really
tired there. But I have no choice... We Korean students finish
our homework even if it's 1am or 2am. We do not have a choice,
that's how it is, that's our job. It's past midnight, the young boy
finally pushes the door of his apartment. Mom, I'm home. His mother prepared him
a last meal. His father is still
not come home from work. Hold Yunjae, your day
went well ? Enjoy your food. This infernal rhythm, Yunjae
imposes it every day. His mother is aware of the excesses
of the Korean education system. But she doesn't see
other alternatives. Of course I have
the pain for my son. He works a lot
and he has little free time. But as long as it holds
the blow he must continue. Korean society is very competitive,
we worry about the future of our children. They have to work hard to
put all the chances on their side. Tonight, once again, Yunjae
will go to bed exhausted at 1am. For several years, the authorities
fight against the educational frenzy, children and their parents by limiting
the opening hours of the private academies. But the battle is
almost lost in advance. The arrival of unemployment has increased
tensions in the labor market, and to make room for themselves, young people
Koreans are ready for all excesses. The latest trend is to use
cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, and please
to employers. In a few years, South Korea
has become the kingdom of the scalpel, far ahead of Brazil
or the United States. And it is not uncommon to come across
in the streets of freshly operated patients. Be careful
to sidewalks. A slender chin, a pointed nose
or a widened smile. Here everything is possible,
even the most unlikely, how to get injected
botox in the vocal cords, to have a
more beautiful voice. He will have the voice
more calm, more serious. It will lessen the tremor
vocal cords. Throughout the capital, advertisements put
forward the prowess of these surgeons. Even the photo booths succumbed
in this quest for perfection. But also surprising
as it may seem, for many residents,
pass on the operating table, is not just a simple coquetry,
it is above all a factor of social ascent. Hi !
See you next time. At 28, Ewu holds
a degree in communications. At the end of his studies, three years ago,
he thought he would find a job easily. But today the young man
no matter how many CVs are sent, and job interviews,
nothing works. And he is convinced of it, it is because
of his physical appearance. When I call employers
to find out why I wasn't taken, I am told,
"you are too thin". "Your face is too fine,
your eyes are too small". My look
is considered negative. I think I don't give
not a good impression. Concretely, I am made to understand that
I don't fit the image of the company. And in the end I'm not
taken because of my physique. Ewu would like to work in the service
marketing for a major fashion company. So to put all the chances
for its part in the face of recruiters, he decided to do
enlarge the eyes. A choice that could
sound fancy. But in this society
ultra-competitive, the cult of appearance
has become the rule. Many employers admit that
the physique of the candidates, plays a leading role
in their decision. Some go so far as to demand information
details on the anatomy of their future recruit. All these are the resumes I sent
as well as documents that I had to provide. once a business
even asked me for a certificate, to know if
I was in good health. This document shows
the state of my body. around my chest,
around my thighs. All the details of my
anatomy are listed there. I presented this document during
the interview but I was not taken... In desperation,
Ewu made an appointment, in one of the many
gangnam clinics, the most neighborhood
upscale Seoul. Here there are
over 500. Good morning. Ewu chose
one of the most famous. It stretches over sixteen floors,
nine doctors work there. Each
his speciality. And here, the staff is in tune
with current beauty standards. - Good morning.
- Hello doctor. Ewu is going to be operated on by Doctor Do,
an eye enlargement specialist. Look at the mirror. You have skin that
hide the eyelids. The skin fold grows
eyelids down. For an Asian, you don't have
not necessarily small eyes, but we can correct
shape and remove the skin. In South Korea, it is the intervention
most popular, especially with women, who dream of a face
western style. But Doctor Do operates
also many men, on average 15%
of its customers, and the vast majority of them pass
on billiards for professional reasons. I'm not surprised,
because the competition In the working world
in Korea is fierce. There's a lot
unemployment. So for men who have
Appearance concerns are more difficult. So everyone tries to
distinguish, even by small details. The operation costs 1500 €,
it is not given, but for Ewu,
the investment is worth it. Maybe finally his ticket
entry into the world of work. I've wanted it since
a long time, I'm ready. I'm eager to. The intervention does not last
only a quarter of an hour. It is carried out under
local anesthesia. For Doctor Do,
It's the routine. Operations like these
he makes between 6 and 12 a day. In the rest room, Ewu is in a hurry
to discover his new look, but he will have to
wait a little longer. Now it is necessary that
my eyes are healing well, it's necessary
I take care of it. But I think it's okay
really change my life. four more
weeks of patience, one last visit to the clinic
to remove the stitches, and maybe finally
his dream job. Faced with social pressure
and growing economy, Koreans experience
growing discomfort. And in this predominantly Christian country,
there are more and more of them, to seek comfort
in faith. This morning, out of sight,
in the heights of Seoul, a ceremony
a little special. A shamanic rite, a practice
ancestral spiritual, whose purpose is to
communicate with spirits. Behind the scenes, the leader of this
merry troop concentrates, before the arrival of
his next client. His name is Gimpa,
he is a professional shaman. Former singer, he discovered
his vocation twenty years ago. Since then, he practices religious rites
to communicate with the gods of nature, and his business
brings in a lot of money. Everyone does
effort in life. But it does not work
always as you want. People come here for
find meaning in their lives. Thanks to the powers
ancestors and gods. And it's mostly young people
who rediscover shamanism. Among its customers, stars, sportsmen
and more and more businessmen. Gimpa must receive this morning
a distinguished guest who made his fortune, in the management
of heritage. The millionaire is
close to the government. So the shaman
greet him in person. - Good morning.
- Good morning ! It's been about a year
that we haven't seen each other, is that it? Yes, it's true.
You came last year, The man is a regular at the place,
but he prefers to remain anonymous. Because to pay for the services of a shaman
to make your business prosper, is a little taboo. I came to pray
and ask the spirits to protect, my company
and my employees. May they all stay healthy
to make our business run smoothly. To grant wishes
of this personality, The shaman prepared
an entire program. To begin with, the Kutpai rite,
a ceremony well known to his followers. In traditional dress,
bare feet on this sharp blade, Gimpa, perform dances to enter
in a trance and invoke deities. The gods of the sea, of the mountain
and all the other gods say, that things have changed
since last year. In the front row, the businessman
don't miss a beat. It must be said that to afford
the services of Gimpa and its teams, he had to pay
a lot of money. Over €20,000. And it's not over. To obtain the favors of the gods,
he will have to multiply the offerings in cash. In the cabin next door,
the collaborators of the shaman, prepare another rite,
the sacrifice of the pig. The animal was
killed the day before. His death shall ward off diseases
of the businessman and his entourage. But for that, you have to give
to the gods the equivalent of €50. - Do you have 30,000 won?
- Yes. An offering washed down with rice wine
which will end up in the pockets of the shaman. Spit three times!
And then you can go out. But don't you look back
especially not when going out. It may seem barbaric,
but with this kind of rite, the businessman is convinced
to ward off the evil eye. At the beginning it
scared me. I was even
a little embarrassed. But I watched, I learned
and I understood. And once we understand
the meaning of things, we end up accepting it. It becomes
obvious even. The ceremonies will follow
all day. For every dance
Gimpa changes his costume, and his client
multiply the offerings. In total, in addition to the €20,000 paid
when booking the ceremony, he will pay 3000 more. An amusing rain of banknotes
the shaman and the spirit that seems to inhabit him. I have money,
I have them everywhere. We are fine
enjoy. I feel the spirit
of the grandfather, he is waiting for me. At this rate, the businessman
still entitled to a good meal. Although the price of this
day is exorbitant, he believes in it hard
like iron. One day I negotiated a contract with
a company I did not know. The shaman gave me
warned. He told me to be careful
certain details of the contract. And it saved me.
I avoided disaster. On average, Gimpa performs a
fifty ceremonies, like this one
every year. What to collect
a nice jackpot. And his business
has a future, because the country matters
more and more believers. Every year, 40% of South Koreans
consult a shaman. A few miles away,
at Seoul Station, Ewu the young unemployed man who made himself
to operate on the eyes walks at a hurry. This moment, he waits for it
since one month. Make a new photo
identity for his CV. And he counts on his new face
to relaunch their job search. My face
softened. I'm still the same, but today
with a more pleasant physique, i think it will happen
much better with people. The difference is not
necessarily blatant, But this surgery
aesthetics has at least the merit, to give him back
faith in him. With his new
face at the top of his resume, Ewu is persuaded to drop out
the job of his dreams, in the marketing department
of a large company. Before, when my eyes were slanted,
people didn't think I was nice. I have even been told that I am not
was not recruiting because of my physique. Today,
my eyes are big. Since the operation, I can
look more easily, my interlocutors
eye to eye. I think people
trust me more than before. It's important and it can do
the difference with a recruiter. Since the end of our
filming three months ago, Ewu still hasn't picked up
the job he wants. But it's only one
a matter of time. With a growth
by almost 3%, South Korea is today
one of the most dynamic countries in Asia, and one of the most
innovations on the planet.
