The Iranians 1st impression

"... the masses of Iran have also suffered for centuries at the hands of unjust and venal rulers they also have had no power to resist. Perhaps this is why Iranian culture bears a palpable if not quite definable burden of grief. It is as if the precarious social-political milieu in which Iranians have so often lived has preconditioned them to always perceive the negative, the sad, and the tragic."

"In contrast to mainstream Sunnism, which accepts the vicissitudes of life as God's will, Shiism is characterised by suffering and passion in the name of righteousness. There are within the sect legends and rituals that keep alive that part of Iranian identity rooted in a sense of communal pain. ..... the Shia physically and emotionally also become martyrs."

-- Sandra Mackey, The Iranians

Another country bearing grief as trademark, like Korea. Another land much tortured by invasion and bloodwash. There is also the similarity of patriarchal nature of society (somehow excessively patriarchal becomes equivalent of oppression). But why is it that there hasn't been the economic and political miracles in the twentieth century?
- Gulf War. In a region of tension.
- Religious difference. Deeply spiritual (Iran) vs inherently pragmatic (Korea) with the incorporation of confucianism, etc
- Absence of US intervention (Iran) and hence did not become Americanised in terms of economic and political model

Addition: Iran was war-torn since forever; Korea since 20th century.
Correction: Absence of US intervention at present but Westernization did occur (how could it not?) bringing ideals of liberal democracy, individual freedom and social justice.