In South Korea, a gold miss (Korean: 골드미스) is an unmarried woman with a high socioeconomic status and level of education.[1] These women frequently have a long career and enjoy being single as a result of social changes that have made marriage later in life common and reduced gender discrimination in the work place. They are also interested in developing themselves and their skills. They frequently spend much money shopping and enjoying trips overseas.[2] They do not prioritise love or marriage in their lives.
In modern consumer-based society, this group often becomes influential. They are often criticised with the derogatory term "doenjang girls" ('soy bean paste girls').[3] which characterizes them as obsessed with brand names and their appearance.[4] They seek a luxurious life of consumerism and depend on their husbands' resources, even if this is not consistent with the amount of money they possess. Doenjang girl has similar negative connotations to the term gold digger in English-speaking countries. A gold miss, though, is not the same as a doenjang girl; gold misses are able to make social and economical progress, building up wealth for themselves and enjoying their lives using their own resources.[5]
A gold miss should not be confused with similar Japanese concept, the hanakosan. The difference between a hanakosan and a gold miss is that a hanakosan is a woman who has failed to find a marriage; by contrast, a gold miss normally chooses not to marry.[6]
Characteristics of a gold miss
editAn unmarried woman with a high level of academic education, who receives a high income as a professional worker, can be defined as a gold miss.[7] In addition, the term refers to single woman, aged in her mid-30s or above, who has a job at a major company.[8] Gold misses often make over 40 million won per year, and can sometimes be worth over 80 million won (acquired through either investment or real estate).[9]
Gold miss and marketing
editThe term gold miss (골드미스) was originally used in Korean in a social and economic context,[10] because gold misses were leading the new trend of consumption in the travel business, the fashion industry, the beauty industry, and the food service industry.[11]
Old Miss
editA similar term, old miss, refers to an elderly woman who has passed the suitable time for marriage,[12] roughly equivalent to the words spinster and old maid in English-speaking countries. The suitable time for marriage can differ widely, depending on an individual's culture or era.
Gold miss vs silver miss
editThe term silver miss refers to a single working woman who is outperformed by a gold miss. This term most probably derives from the lower status silver has with gold.[13] The single working women described as 'Silver Misses' normally satisfy three conditions:[14] firstly, they have graduated from university; secondly, their annual income is about thirty million won; thirdly, they are between thirty and forty years old. Their interests and career plans tend to be similar to those of a gold miss. However, silver misses tend to be less wealthy than gold misses, so they must minimise their expenses.
Criticism of the term gold miss
editThe term gold miss might seem to be a friendly colloquial expression describing a woman's abilities. However, it has been criticised for concealing a concern with materialism and discrimination against women. In addition, it suggests that non-standard female workers are being problematised. Sang-soo Ahn, who works in Korean Women's Development Institute, said "Despite the appearance of 'Gold Miss', most women are pressured into following the traditional role of their gender."[15]
See also
edit- The variety show "Gold Miss is coming" involves six female entertainers (who are described as gold misses) participating in various activities, including blind dates.
- The film "Queen of Reversals" is about a woman (Director Han Song-yi, played by Ha Yoo-mi) who corresponds to the characteristics of a gold miss. Director Han Song-yi is a female executive in charge of marketing in Queens Cosmetic company. She has an enormous passion for her work.[16]
- The book "Gold Miss Diary" (original title : Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women)[17]
References
edit- ^ "골드 미스 (Terms of Gold Miss)". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "Poverty may await S. Korea's spendthrift 'Gold Misses'". www.ChinaPost.com.tw. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
- ^ "골드 미스".
- ^ "[문화수첩］'된장녀'가 어쨌다고…(Doenjang girl and so what?)". Kyunghyang Shinmun. 6 August 2006. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ Kim, Ki-ran; Choi, Ki-Ho (2009-08-31). Dictionary about popular culture(대중문화사전) page 208. 현실 문화. ISBN 9788992214759.
- ^ Park, Eun-jeong; An, Ka-yeong (2008-07-23). "'Gold Miss': To Be or Not To Be?". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "골드 미스 (Terms of Gold Miss) - line 2". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "골드 미스 (Terms of Gold Miss) - line 1~2". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "골드 미스 (Terms of Gold Miss) - line 3". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "골드미스 (Gold Miss)". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
- ^ "[커버스토리]최신 유행 상품 쇼핑안하곤 못살아! 신상녀 납시오 : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴(Cover story : Shopping)". The Dong-a Ilbo. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "'Gold Miss': To Be or Not To Be?". The Korea Times. 23 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
- ^ "'실버미스'는 괴로워 (Sliver Miss is painful)". Maeil Business Newspaper. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "실버 미스 (Term of Silver Miss)". terms.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "'알파걸·골드미스' 신조어로 본 여성…능력이 대세 (Alpha girl and Gold Miss)". Seoul Broadcasting System. 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Queen of Reversal :: MBC Global Media". content.mbc.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ Christine B, Whelan (2007). 골드미스다이어리 : 일과사랑, 어느하나놓칠수없는똑똑한그녀들의이야기 (Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women) = Goldmiss diary (in Korean). 웅진지식하우스. ISBN 9788901066080.