„Compared to Western cultures, East Asian regions influenced by Confucian heritage culture view hard work and effort as central to students’ academic identity. For example, although Korean students consistently achieve high mathematics scores, they often report lower levels of confidence and interest in mathematics compared to their peers in Western countries, reflecting a value system that prioritizes effort over enjoyment.“
Yuanyi Zhu u. a., Why some students excel in mathematics. In: Large-scale Assessments in Education (2026), 14:22, S. 2f.