Construction of Korean Popular Illnesses: A Qualitative Analysis of Han, Hwabyung, and Shingyungshayak among Korean Immigrants

Abstract

Han, hwabyung, and shingyungshayak are the idioms that seem to represent explanatory models and semantic networks of depression among Korean elderly immigrants in Washington. Labeling with these illnesses is an efficient way of communicating with significant others who share the same holistic biosociocultural perspective. Labeling with Korean popular illnesses serves as an evaluating and diagnosing process of one's life based on life review. This type of reminiscence functions as a life-healing process among Korean elders who believe they can endure and overcome adversity by studying and applying principles of human nature, the natural world, and the universe. To attain harmony within the self and with others, they practice noonchi (thinking and feeling out what others feel and think), chenyom (right thinking), chemyun (face-saving), and confiding in others. They also find nature walks, music, and a sensible diet to be helpful—these conform to the Korean cultural orientation toward nature, religion, and spiritual matters.