Relationships cause issues just as much as they give us pleasure; motivation, values, and communication styles all affect our relationships (Martin & Nakayama, 2021, p. 249).
Relationships in South Korea are strongly influenced by cultural values such as respect, hierarchy, and group harmony. Values in South Korea have been highly influenced by Confucianism, which places much emphasis on the importance of the family and social roles, among others. The family is one of the things that hold great importance in life, and hence precedence is given to the family above individual aspirations. Respecting one's elders is of utmost importance, and there are many ways of showing respect. The dynamics of power also influence relationships.
Generally, one's age and social standing will dictate how one communicates with another person (i.e., an older person will require a younger person to speak to them in a more formal manner and bow when communicating verbally and will also use honorific). This prohibits the development of relationships that are as structured or formal as in cultures that encourage equality and informality.
These differences in communication styles can create confusion when it comes to intercultural communication because individuals from South Korea may appear to be more reserved or indirect, particularly in new relationships, due to the importance placed on harmony and avoiding conflict.