Critically capitalist : the spirit of asset capitalism in South Korea / by Bohyeong Kim.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kim, Bohyeong., author.

Contributor:

Michigan Publishing (University of Michigan), publisher.

Series:

Perspectives on contemporary Korea

Perspectives on Contemporary Korea Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Investments--Korea (South).

Investments.

Assets (Accounting).

Capitalism--Korea (South).

Capitalism.

Korea (South)--Economic aspects.

Korea (South).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (172 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Ann Arbor : University of Michigan Press, 2025.

Summary:

Critically Capitalist presents an ethnography of South Korea's asset seekers, including amateur stock investors, real estate enthusiasts, and money coaches, to demonstrate how financialized asset capitalism is sustained. As they hunt for profit margins, rent, and dividends, they simultaneously critique capitalism and posit their pursuit of assets as a form of resistance. Bohyeong Kim theorizes this new spirit of capitalism in South Korea as "critical capitalism," arguing that it reflects the popular discontent with both national development and financial neoliberalism. As a paradoxical critique and legitimation, Bohyeong Kim argues that critical capitalism valorizes the capitalist economy not through a triumphant narrative, but by highlighting the emotional wounds, destroyed communities, and oppressive tactics of modern capitalism. Drawing on multi-sited ethnography and in-depth interviews with a broad community of aspiring millionaires, Critically Capitalist illuminates how contemporary capitalism thrives by channeling discontent into financial and real estate markets, which in turn, has cemented critical capitalism as the cultural and affective backbone of South Korea's economy.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on information from the publisher.

ISBN:

9780472904877

0472904876

Access Restriction:

Unrestricted online access