Korean Broadcasting System's two-part documentary comparing South Korea's obsession with medical schools and China's strategic pursuit of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talent has touched a nerve, attracting a large audience.

The documentary, titled "Insight: The War for Talent," was broadcast last month and had over 970,000 views on YouTube three weeks later.

A viewer commented: "It should be shown in the cabinet meeting, and each president, prime minister, and minister should write a 10-page report after watching it."

This statement reflects the urgency felt by many South Koreans after watching the program. The public reaction ranged from shock to despair: "I didn't know the situation with STEM was so bad," "It's heartbreaking that our brightest minds only pursue money."

The first episode, titled "China, Obsessed with Engineering," showcases a country that regards engineering geniuses as national heroes. This documentary was inspired by the "DeepSeek Shock" earlier this year, when the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek shocked the world with an efficient reasoning model built using low-cost chips.

This breakthrough prompted the producers to compare China's rapid scientific development with South Korea's fervent pursuit of medical schools.

Producer Jeong Young-jin said, "I have read many reports about China's national strategy and talent system, but I didn't know how much of it was true. We felt we had to go there ourselves to see."

The three producers of the film interviewed leaders of six top startups in Hangzhou, Turing Award winner and Tsinghua University professor Yao Qizhi, and a senior Korean scientist who went to China.

The second episode, "South Korea, Obsessed with Medical Schools," explores why top students in South Korea overwhelmingly flock to medicine. The producers interviewed more than 50 people aspiring to become doctors and found a common trait among them: concern. Many believe that job security and social status are the factors that drive them to study medicine, rather than passion for the medical or healthcare industry.

As Professor Lee Jung-dong of Seoul National University said in the documentary: "A country with technology can continue. A country without technology cannot survive. We must do everything possible." The producers unanimously agree that policy support for STEM talent is urgently needed. (Translated by Qiu Fang, Zhu Li)

This article was published on The Korea Times website on August 5, with the original title "Fail to Value STEM and You Are Doomed? With Top Students Avoiding Engineering, South Korea Faces a Risk to Its Future."

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7536456598471705122/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion below using the [up/down] buttons.