Entrepreneurial Seoulite: Culture and Subjectivity in Hongdae, Seoul

The 1990s saw a cultural turn in Korea, driven by economic prosperity and the collapse of the military dictatorship. Cultural critiques emerged to assert the freedom and autonomy of individuals against regulatory systems and institutions. Seoul has sought to recreate itself as a global city, equipped with cutting-edge knowledge industries and infrastructures. Entrepreneurial Seoulite explores the formation of new citizen subjectivity, the enterprising self, in post-Fordist Seoul, drawing on Weber's concept of "the spirit of capitalism" to capture a transformative moment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2019
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

During the 1990s, Korea experienced a significant cultural shift, coinciding with the economic prosperity driven by state-led industrialization and the collapse of the military dictatorship due to democratization movements. Cultural critiques, emerging as an alternative to social movements, proliferated to assert the freedom and autonomy of individuals against regulatory systems and institutions. The nation was hit by the Asian financial crisis in 1997, leading to massive economic restructuring, including layoffs, stakeouts, and a prevalence of contingent employment. As a result, the entire nation had to find new engines of economic growth while experiencing a creative destruction.

At the center of this national transformation, Seoul has sought to recreate itself from a mega city to a global city, equipped with cutting-edge knowledge industries and infrastructures. By juxtaposing the cultural turn and cultural/creative city-making, Entrepreneurial Seoulite interrogates the formation of new citizen subjectivity, namely the enterprising self, in post-Fordist Seoul. What kinds of logic guide individuals in the engagement of new urban realities in rapidly liberalized Seoul—culturally and economically? To explore this query, Mihye Cho draws on Weber's concept of "the spirit of capitalism" on the formation of a new economic agency focusing on the re-configuration of meanings and seeks to capture a transformative moment detailing when and how capitalism requests a different spirit and lifestyle of its participants. Likewise, this book approaches the enterprising self as the new spirit of post-Fordist Seoul and explores the ways in which people in Seoul internalize and negotiate this new enterprising self.

The cultural turn in Korea during the 1990s marked a significant shift in the nation's social and economic landscape. The economic prosperity driven by state-led industrialization and the collapse of the military dictatorship due to democratization movements created a fertile ground for cultural critiques to emerge as an alternative to social movements. These critiques aimed to assert the freedom and autonomy of individuals against regulatory systems and institutions, seeking to redefine the boundaries of social and cultural norms.

However, the 1997 Asian financial crisis posed a significant challenge to Korea's economic growth. The crisis led to massive economic restructuring, including layoffs, stakeouts, and a prevalence of contingent employment. This period of economic uncertainty and instability forced the entire nation to find new engines of economic growth while experiencing a creative destruction.

Seoul, as the capital city, was at the forefront of this national transformation. The city has sought to recreate itself from a mega city to a global city, equipped with cutting-edge knowledge industries and infrastructures. This transformation has been driven by the government's efforts to attract foreign investment, promote innovation, and create new job opportunities.

One of the key aspects of Seoul's transformation has been its focus on cultural/creative city-making. The city has invested heavily in cultural institutions, such as museums, galleries, and theaters, to promote cultural exchange and creativity. Seoul has also established various creative industries, such as fashion, music, and film, to attract talent and promote economic growth.

The cultural/creative city-making approach has been successful in attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth. Seoul has become a hub for international businesses and startups, attracting talent from around the world. The city's vibrant cultural scene has also attracted tourists, contributing to the local economy.

However, the cultural/creative city-making approach has also raised concerns about the formation of new citizen subjectivity. The emphasis on economic growth and innovation has led to a shift in the values and priorities of individuals, with a growing emphasis on individualism and self-promotion. This has led to a tension between traditional Korean values and the new entrepreneurial spirit that is prevalent in Seoul.

Entrepreneurial Seoulite is a book that explores the formation of new citizen subjectivity in post-Fordist Seoul. The book is written by Mihye Cho, a professor at Seoul National University's Graduate School of Cultural Studies. Cho draws on Weber's concept of "the spirit of capitalism" to analyze the formation of a new economic agency that focuses on the re-configuration of meanings. She seeks to capture a transformative moment detailing when and how capitalism requests a different spirit and lifestyle of its participants.

The book approaches the enterprising self as the new spirit of post-Fordist Seoul and explores the ways in which people in Seoul internalize and negotiate this new enterprising self. Cho argues that the enterprising self is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and dynamic construct that is shaped by a range of factors, including social, cultural, and economic forces. She explores how individuals in Seoul negotiate the tensions between traditional Korean values and the new entrepreneurial spirit, and how they create new meanings and identities in response to the changing urban realities.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of education in shaping the enterprising self. Cho argues that education plays a crucial role in preparing individuals for the new economic realities of post-Fordist Seoul. She highlights the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in the workplace, and how these skills are essential for success in the new economy.

Cho also explores the impact of technology on the formation of the enterprising self. She argues that technology has created new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, but it has also led to a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. She explores how individuals in Seoul navigate the challenges of technology, such as the need to adapt to new technologies and the potential for job displacement.

Another key theme of the book is the role of government in shaping the enterprising self. Cho argues that the government plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and innovation, but it also has a responsibility to ensure that the benefits of these changes are shared fairly. She explores how the government can support entrepreneurship and innovation while also addressing social and economic inequality.

Entrepreneurial Seoulite is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights into the formation of new citizen subjectivity in post-Fordist Seoul. The book challenges traditional notions of citizenship and identity and offers a new perspective on the role of culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship in shaping the future of cities. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of urban change and the challenges facing contemporary societies.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472074167