I lived in Taiwan in the 70s and Korea in the 80s. Both were third world back then. I could tell they were going to move up because the people had energy and did not complain. They are both first world now. Both had long Japanese occupations, but didn’t cry for reparations. They just got to work and succeeded.
The people of Taiwan and Korea are generally industrious, intelligent and law-abiding. They value education and family. It’s easy to see why they have made considerable material progress in their countries.
It’s also easy to see why cultures which lack these qualities are not successful.