For many South Koreans, emigrating to the US with its promises of quality university education, suburban wonderlands, and comparatively easy riches has long been a pursued goal.

But in the wake of this week’s shooting at Virginia Tech and the revelation that the gunman blamed for the deaths of 32 students was a troubled 23-year-old South Korean immigrant, Cho Seung Hui, the allure of that goal has begun to fade for many Koreans.