When you visit other countries, you can easily pick up a few native words. Most foreigners say that one of the first Korean words they learn is "ppalli ppalli," literally meaning "hurry hurry." Guus Hiddink, former head coach of the Korean national football team, once said, "The first Korean words I learned were ppalli ppalli." Not only foreigners but also local Koreans list "ppalli ppalli" as a symbol of Korean mentality. The word is easily heard in a restaurant when ordering food, when dropping clothes off at the laundry, when riding in a taxi and so on.
"Ppalli ppalli" can be often translated as "Hurry, hurry" or "Quickly, quickly." It is something more than just hastiness and saving time. The term is intensively goal-oriented and connotes finding the most efficient way to reach that goal. The word also shares some common elements with flexibility. This flexibility is the reason "ppalli ppalli" is sometimes criticized for being the main culprit of big accidents. Occasionally in order to attain goals quickly, procedures and regulations are neglected. Bad and sometimes dangerous results are the consequence.
However, the word has a great positive impact on Korean society and the economy. Its positive results can also be found in government policies and the provision of public services. The Five-Year Economic Plans can be mentioned as typical examples of "ppalli ppalli" in the public policy area. Public services are provided much more quickly in Korea than in most other countries. City gas is provided on the very day you move into a new house. Various civil application documents are issued in real time on request when you visit the office for civil services.
In Malaysia I think we do not have the word that mostly used and referred it as Malaysian word to be remembered, we only be known by our variety of food and others. We should make Korea as an example to achieve our goal as industrial country by 2020.
Go Malaysia...
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