Page 80 - PowerE-L05-C

Lesson 20

Well-being trend

It’s on the lips of every Korean these days: “Well-being - from
well-being food to well-being attitudes.” Well-being has become a trend,

a fashion icon and a lifestyle. What is this Well-being? It is the philoso-
phy of the wholesome life. True to the oriental idea of a “holistic” life, it

encompasses not just the well-being of the body, but also of the mind.
As Korea grows more affluent, pleasure and leisure becomes more and

more affordable. So Koreans are finding more free time to feed the needs
of the mind to fulfill their personal life. People read not for a hobby but to rich the mind, do

taekwondo not to defend against a foe but to tone the muscles, take trips not for business
but for the sheer pleasure of enjoying the view on the crosscountry train window. Koreans

are becoming pickier about the diet they take, counting calories and checking the nutritional

contents of foods they buy. Even the Ajumma has remade her image in the spirit of well-
being. In stark contrast to her traditional caricature as chubby homemaker with curlers,

she now appears on morning TV, glamorous with her toned muscles and ultra hip leotards,
showing “those women out there” how to get “that 10 minute workout for busy moms.” Aspir-

ing nuptials are dreaming of that nice house with big flower gardens and a patio that looks
out into the seal: Wholesome life. On the business front, smart entrepreneurs see a golden

opportunity to enhance their economic well-being by selling ‘well-being’ items, from wellbe-
ing travel packages to well-being utensils. Though highly priced, these items sell instantly.

After all, who wouldn’t want a piece of “well-being”? Many people are starting to condemn
this practice, calling it “commercialization.” Their complaints are not groundless since many

unscrupulous businessmen would label any of their good with the “wellbeing” tag. Others

see the well-being trend as another case of Bourgeoisie excess, since the well-being Items
seem only to be afforded by the rich. Whatever the case maybe, if you aren’t in on this well-

being trend, it’s either you can’t afford leisure or you just don’t care about what matters most
in life.

Comprehension

1. What is “well-being” according to the article?

2. What do smart entrepreneurs do about the “well-being” trend?

Questions

1. What is “well-being for you?

2. How has it influenced people around you?
3. Do you think “well-being” trend will soon fade like other trends in the past?

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