The article highlights the daily struggles of families in South Korea as they navigate a highly competitive education system that prioritizes entrance into prestigious universities. Focused on the experience of a mother, Lee Kyung-min, the piece details how her life revolves around transporting her daughters back and forth from regular schools to intensive after-school academies, known as hagwons. These private institutions serve to enhance students' learning in subjects like math, Korean, and English and are a critical part of many families' strategies for academic success.

This pressure is not isolated to individual families; it is a widespread phenomenon that grips nearly all parents in South Korea. The overwhelming consensus among parents revolves around ensuring their children achieve high academic standing to secure spots in top universities, which are seen as essential for future success. The story underscores the mental toll this competitive landscape imposes not only on children, who often face extreme stress and fatigue but also on parents who feel the weight of these expectations.

The implications of this competitive education system extend beyond academics, as they contribute to a societal framework that values academic success above all else. The emotional and psychological burden borne by both children and parents raises critical questions about the sustainability of such an intensely focused system. As the conversation around mental health continues to gain traction, the article serves as a poignant reminder of the need for reforms that balance academic ambition with the well-being of students and their families.