News analysis

Lessons on school and life from a K-drama

The characters in a recent K-drama series got the happy endings they wanted, such as entering a top university. Many students in Singapore also tie happiness to scholastic success, but is it healthy?

Data also shows that higher levels of competition between students in school are negatively associated with adolescent well-being ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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SINGAPORE - “Our day starts early. We raise our voices before daybreak. We already feel worn out as we begin our day, but we keep plugging away, believing in ‘no pain, no gain’. 

“We pursue higher income, education and grades in order to enter high society. That’s where Korea stands today.” 

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