정상증후군 관점에서 본 ‘갓생 현상’ = The ‘갓생(Gat-saeng) Phenomenon’ from the Perspective of Normotic Illness

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This thesis explores the phenomenon of “갓생(Gat-saeng)” within contemporary Korean society, analyzing it through the lens of Christopher Bollas’ psychoanalytic theory of “normotic illness”. “Gat-saeng” is a neologism combining “갓” (Gat, literally means “god-like,” but it’s actually used to describe someone who gives their best or excels through hard work.) and “생” (saeng, meaning “life”), referring to a lifestyle characterized by extreme self-discipline, productivity, and socially recognized success. Rather than interpreting this trend as a mere personal preference or temporary cultural fad, the study situates it within broader structural issues, particularly the loss of subjectivity among the younger generation in South Korea.
Drawing upon Bollas’ theory of “normotic illness”, “aesthetic experience”, “fate and destiny”, the study investigates the psychological underpinnings and sociocultural dynamics of the “Gat-saeng” trend. It argues that many Korean youths, having lived according to goals imposed by parents and society, experience profound inner emptiness and a weakened capacity to develop their unique idiom or autonomous identity. The “Gat-saeng” lifestyle thus becomes a ritualized attempt to fill this void by adhering to externally imposed routines and standards.
This thesis includes an analysis of lived experiences of individuals practicing “Gat-saeng” and incorporates insights from the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Based on these insights, the study highlights the importance of the counselor's consistent accepting attitude as a therapeutic stance that supports the recovery of creativity, subjectivity, and the expression of one’s idiom. Ultimately, this research provides a critical and integrative perspective on how counseling practice can address both the personal and structural dimensions of the “Gat-saeng” phenomenon.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• I. 서론 1
• 1. 연구의 배경과 필요성 1
• 2. 선행연구에 대한 고찰 3
• 3. 연구 방법 및 구성 7
• II. 갓생 현상에 대한 이해 9
• 1. 용어 정의와 갓생의 특징 9
• 2. 갓생 실천 방식: ‘미라클 모닝’과 ‘오운완’ 15
• III. 정상증후군과 갓생 19
• 1. 정상증후군의 이해 19
• 2. 정상증후군의 증상과 갓생의 특성 23
• IV. 정상증후군의 관점에서 이해하는 갓생 현상의 배경과 역동 31
• 1. 사회적 집단에서의 안정감 31
• 2. 성과주의와 물질적 가치 34
• 3. 주관성을 삭제하는 한국사회의 구조 37
• V. 심리적 제네라와 주체성 회복을 향한 건강한 갓생 43
• 1. 건강한 갓생이란 무엇인가: fate와 destiny 43
• 2. 실제 갓생 사례를 통해 보는 건강한 갓생의 모습 46
• 3. 동행자로서 상담자의 역할 49
• VI. 결론 및 논의 52
• 1. 연구 요약 및 제언 52
• 2. 연구의 의의 및 한계 54
• 참고문헌 57
• ABSTRACT 61