This file photo shows people maintaining social distancing to enter an exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on Jan. 19, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 10 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean’s happiness levels hit a new low last August, during the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak, the latest survey showed.
Last year, the Center for Happiness Studies at Seoul National University, in collaboration with Kakao Corp.’s charity foundation, conducted a survey of 1.4 million South Koreans over 10 years of age, and published a book titled Happiness Map of the Republic of Korea 2021.
The study showed that happiness among South Koreans dropped significantly during the second wave of the pandemic, centered on the Seoul Capital Area, than the first wave, when the pandemic struck Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.
“The country was able to contain the first wave effectively enough to ensure safety during the general elections. The foreign press called it ‘K-Quarantine’ as they referred to the country’s successful containment,” the book said.
The center explained that the optimism that ensued ended in worse disappointment with the onslaught of the second wave, taking a toll on the overall level of happiness.
By the end of August last year, the raging second wave had resulted in the lowest level of happiness. In 2018 and 2019, the happiness level in the month of August was not unlike the average level in any other month.
“Looking at the projections of the happiness level, the difference in the average level of happiness grew as time passed,” the book said.
“With the coronavirus that persisted, the public struggled with more fatigue. The second and third wave that ensued brought down the level of happiness even further.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
