We are living in an era where the Korean Wave is sweeping the world. From K-pop artists like BTS and BLACKPINK to Korean chefs achieving wealth and success in Manhattan and Korean dramas and films dominating global OTT platforms, the talents of Koreans are wielding international influence. In such cases, many Koreans sometimes feel, “I’m also Korean, but why can’t I have that kind of talent?” There is no need to worry, however. Most people do not actually lack talent—they just misunderstand their abilities.
In most cases, the judgment that one “has no talent” is based more on comparison with others than on absolute personal ability. Human cognitive structures are inherently poor at accurately judging absolute values but much more adept at distinguishing relative differences between two items. In cognitive psychology experiments, people make large errors when asked to match absolute weight, brightness, or length but can sensitively distinguish even slight differences when comparing two stimuli.
Such characteristic applies equally to self-evaluation. It is difficult to judge “how capable am I?” in absolute terms, but people can instantly judge “am I better or worse than others?” Moreover, Korean society is accustomed to long-term relative evaluation systems such as middle and high school grades and college entrance exam (CSAT), and this reinforces sensitivity to comparisons with others. As a result, the thought of “I have no talent” reflects cognitive judgment about whether one is better or worse than those around them, rather than an actual deficiency in personal ability.

There is a bigger problem, however. Most people use someone more talented than themselves as a reference (upward comparison). Upward comparison can increase motivation and lead to achievements through effort, but excessive upward comparison results in self-deprecation as well as a sense of helplessness. Social media in particular amplifies this effect. People know that social media highlights others’ best moments yet unconsciously compare their own daily life with others’ peaks. In a society full of talented individuals, even fair comparisons can be harsh enough, and using others’ best moments as a benchmark makes comparisons meaningless.

Our cognitive system is also more sensitive to negative information. Such sensitivity helps detect danger quickly, which is advantageous for survival but also affects self-evaluation. As a result, we easily recall our weaknesses and dislikes rather than our strengths and likes, responding to negative feedback more strongly and remembering it longer than positive feedback. In other words, we easily recall our weaknesses but rarely recognize our strengths. We feel anxious and fearful because of our many shortcomings, whereas others seem to succeed effortlessly. I see all the mistakes and flaws I have experienced but only notice the visible outcomes and achievements when it comes to others. This negative bias—combined with the asymmetry of information about oneself and others—leads to overestimating others and underestimating oneself, reinforcing the perception that “I lack any special talent compared to others.”

Now that we understand the cause, we can consider solutions. Much of the judgment that one “has no talent” is not due to actual lack of ability but is an illusion created by human cognitive traits—habitual relative comparisons, tendencies toward upward comparison, negativity bias, and information asymmetry. Talent is not revealed through comparison with others but emerges naturally from one’s interests, experiences, and actions. Understanding oneself without relying on relative comparison is essential.

However, simply stopping relative comparisons is not enough. To understand oneself, one must actively use and develop metacognition—the ability to observe and understand one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Discovering talent is not about seeking innate differences but about restoring correct understanding of oneself. By clearly recognizing what you do well as well as your interests and current level, and by asking “Which activities do I naturally immerse myself in?” rather than “Am I better than others?” and then determining and executing what to do to develop yourself further, you can finally discover your own talent.
Many studies suggest that the accuracy of metacognition—knowing what you know and what you do not know—is more strongly related to academic achievement than IQ, demonstrating that the ability to understand oneself forms the foundation of “talent.” While comparisons with others may conceal your talent, observing your experiences and emotions through metacognition and understanding what motivates and fosters your growth will gradually reveal your hidden abilities.

Instead of asking, “Am I better than others?” it is more meaningful to ask, “Which activities do I naturally immerse myself in?” Only through the process of assessing what to do to develop the current self further can one truly discover one's own talent.