Stimulating challenge among Korea`s disillusioned youth

"It is our mission to take on challenges again and again and explore a new path for growth."

This is the managerial buzz phrase proclaimed by Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, which achieved a record performance last year, as Samsung Group began its business operations in 2013.

The main buzzword for this year as announced through New Year’s speeches by the heads of Korea’s other top conglomerates as well as Lee is “challenge.” They suggest that since the business environment remains uncertain and difficult, companies should emphasize the value of challenge all the more.

Last year, “healing” was the buzzword in diverse arenas of Korean society, including the economy and culture. The prevailing mood was that the minds of younger-generation Koreans should be consoled and healed from fatigue and pain caused by high barriers to employment and endless competition.

Just as more companies are embracing challenge as their imperative mandate in the New Year, however, growing voices are urging people in their 20s to strengthen their spirit of challenge rather than being simply consoled. Experts also suggest that Korean society also should create an environment in which the value of challenge is shared and youths taking on challenge are encouraged and promoted.

Challenging the spirit of young people is important because of its direct link to a nation`s competitiveness. Analyses have shown that Korea’s youth tend to suffer from low morale due to a sense of accumulated fatigue caused by intense competition that continues from their teenage years.

A mindset of resignation is common among young people, who think they have no chance to succeed.

The Dong-A Ilbo will shed light on the value of challenge by introducing role models for youth who have succeeded in new fields rather than giving up their dreams. Lessons are found among not just 20-somethings but also those in their 30s through 50s, who retain the spirit of challenge with the mindset of "lifelong youth."

Challenges by those with the mindset of lifelong youth are events in present progressive tense. Those people unanimously say taking on the challenge of getting what they want is itself meaningful even in failure.

Examples include “Dumb and Dumber,” or former staff of conglomerates who only focused on entering prestigious universities and developing careers ahead of getting employed while students, then quit to set up new business models; and Cho Woo-hyeon, a famous chef of Italian food who takes part in overseas cooking contests on his own. They remind people of the meaning of challenge.