In Korean, the pronunciation of 情 is 정(Jeong). It is particular mode of Korean morality, which does not have definite one word expressible in English language. The academic pros refers to Jeong as “feeling of fondness, caring, bonding, and attachment that develop within interpersonal relationships.” For example, among family members, son could have a strong sense of bonding to his dad and mom working hard to serve the family, students learning from teacher could have more than revere, Jeong is purity of heart within socialization.
People must have Jeong, when they live with other people, this is taught in Korea from school, churches, smalltalk with soju restaurant and so on. The historical teachers had emphasized Jeong as basic foundation to live together and, if not, they are not considered as actual Korean people. The conception of Jeong is found in many situations and groups in Korean community, international people can learn it as essential part of Korean psychological background to maintain the society.
The common way of description of how 情 is conceived by Korean people is that some people could say “우리 정들었다(woori jeong deul eottdda)” meaning that “we have fallen in deep relationship” where “relationship” is broad term that describes for the feelings of caring and bonding effort for relationship makings. So, 情 can be connectively between non-lovers too. For example, mom can have feeling of 情 to dad who cheated in young age, continues to live life with him though cheating was harsh. “Miwoon Jeong gowoon Jeong da deul eot dda” means “even hatred, we have aging each other and even unfriendly past we live together because of invisible hug”. The Jeong is our grandma generation’s heartfulness, which is not romantic love but special state of mind that would be pursued of higher level of morality. It is often praise when grandma has 情 like this, which could be heartful of mind to be comprehensive by many people.
The 情 also determines the word use differently between Korean and English. Korean tend to use the term woori (we) rather than na (me). When US and Canadian people say “my mother”, Korean say “our mother”. The term “mother” can be used to call womans who are not familial mother, which is metaphor figurative speech from conception of Jeong between elderly and younger people’s invisible hug. Koreans attach enormous importance to Jeong to relationship and they consider it as an essential part of the country’s definition of qualities of mind. Koreans should learn to act, for 情 as important as socialized member of community.
In economical development, commercial deals are cold-blooded of negotiation and business often does strategic commitment. However, in Korea, commercial dealers often give quantity of commodities more than regular payment–which is also existing in other country’s traditional market, however, it was more stronger tendency in Korea. When Korea was reconstructive era after Korean War, many children became orphan and could not have meal, many restaurant owners brought them into their restaurant and fed them lunch, it was example of Jeong to provide Korean identity. So, in the culture of Korea, many customers call owner of the restaurant by “eemo” (aunt) or “uhmony” (mother) as a metaphoric call influenced by Jeong culture.
It is westernized era so 情 is narrowed by its actions, many Koreans feel 情 as essential part of wisdom of life. The variety talk show, in television, people exchange talks about virtue of life, 情 is popular topic. It is not only between wife and husband, it is also between teacher and student, between CEO and employee, and between neighbors. “The Korean people can collaborate well” is what is true to recent Korean people too. The origin is 情, feeling of belonging and bonding together.
I think Western people also can understand 情 when invocative to the books like “Chicken Soup for the Soul”. The love and spirituality are shared wisdom in the East and the West. If you are interested in Korean psychology, please see 情 culture first. I recommend it to study in depth.