27 South Korean Culture Facts That Will Leave You Surprised

Korea's rich cultural heritage, which includes music, art, dress, and food, is a beautiful blend of history and the contemporary.

Korean art and culture are now garnering a large number of fans from all over the globe. Korea's cultural and creative successes throughout the centuries have led many of its youth to gain fame worldwide.

The peninsula's geographical characteristics presented Koreans with the possibility of absorbing both continental and marine civilizations. The presence of abundant resources resulted in the formation of unique cultures of interest. The Han River, also known as Hangang, is a prominent river in South Korea and the peninsula's fourth longest river after the Amnok, Tuman, and Nakdong rivers.

The culture in South Korea is distinct. It is influenced by China, Japan, and the west.

When you first arrive for a visit, you may notice certain things that are familiar to you from your own country. Chain restaurants and international retailers, for example, are likely to be popular in your native country. At the same time, you'll observe distinctive South Korean habits, fashions, and social standards.

South Korea is a well-organized and fast-paced country. In major cities, many individuals speak conversational English. Because of the significant quantity of commerce and tourism in South Korea, there are many Chinese, Japanese, and other foreign-language speakers.

Since the Korean War, South Korea has evolved as one of the world's most politically and economically free countries. The economy has been booming for years, thanks to corporations like Samsung and Hyundai.

Korean History, War and Military Service

Korea was split into two independent governments with differing political philosophies after the allied victory of World War II in 1945. The Republic of Korea is to the south and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the north. Let's look at some facts regarding South Korea.

The Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) is a boundary between North and South Korea. It was formed in 1953 as a consequence of the Korean War.

The DMZ splits the Korean peninsula in half.

It is also one of the world's most hazardous frontiers. The DMZ is tightly guarded by armed military and even contains active landmines.

The DMZ stretches across more than 93 mi (149.7 km) and is 3 mi (4.8 km) broad.

Since 1950, South and North Korea have been at war. This makes it the longest conflict for some time.

Korean Lifestyle, Music, Food, And Drinks

Korean culture is garnering a lot of attention nowadays from all over the world. The rise of Korean culture has been a boon to Korea's economy, culture, and public image. The Korean wave has been one of Asia's most popular cultural trends. Keep reading if you want to learn more facts about the Korean lifestyle.

South Korea may be proud of the fact that the majority of its inhabitants are physically fit.

South Korea's national drink is soju. Soju is a clear drink that's comparable to vodka.

Food is also an important component of South Korean culture.

Korean cuisine is built on rice, vegetables, and beef.

Kimchi is the national food of the country. It is created from a variety of vegetables that are fermented and then preserved for a long time.

Banchan are side dishes that are often made in large amounts and served with the main meal.

Food is served during weddings, birthday parties, and rituals honoring ancestors.

South Koreans are passionate about shopping and it has become a national pastime. In South Korea, pubs, cafés, and restaurants shut at 11 p.m., while shops and supermarkets remain open until 4 a.m. for the convenience of die-hard shoppers.

The structure, grammar, and vocabulary of the language in South Korea are comparable to those of Japanese. Regional dialects vary mostly in accent but are sufficiently close that understanding is not a problem for speakers or listeners.

Korean popular culture is often known as 'hallyu' or 'the Korean wave.' It is not only well-known and popular in Korea, but it is also gaining popularity around the world. It mostly consists of K-pop, K-drama, and films.

Taekwondo is a form of martial arts that started in South Korea over 2000 years ago. It is still the country's most popular sport today.

Taekwondo became an Olympic sport in 2002. It was formally authorized and recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

South Korea is the hub for online games and eSports hotspots. In South Korea, computer rooms known as PC bangs are very common.

Because of the phonetic structure of the written language, Korea has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.

Korean Beauty Standard

Regardless of their gender, both Korean men and women wear cosmetics. As a result, Korea's cosmetics and skincare businesses have swiftly risen to prominence on the global stage. Below are some facts regarding the Korean beauty standard.

In South Korean culture, beauty and exterior appearance are very important.

Women and men are both self-conscious in South Korea about their appearances. They go to tremendous efforts to preserve what is considered a flawless image.

Plastic surgery is highly prevalent in the country.

South Korea is the world's plastic surgery center.

Eyelid surgery is the most popular plastic surgery operation among South Korean women.

In South Korea, any kind of facial hair is frowned upon. It's most likely due to the fact that Koreans don't develop much facial hair to begin with.

The beauty standard for males is limited to a shaved, clean, and smooth young complexion. Some people in South Korea don't like men with beards and chest hair because they think it's dirty and even primitive.

Having facial hair can make it difficult for Koreans to get work.

According to their age and marital situation, Korean women have three basic haircuts. Young girls wear their hair long, newly married ladies trim it short around the ear, and elderly women always receive a perm.

According to some studies, 20% of young Korean ladies had undergone cosmetic surgery.

Pale skin is considered attractive in South Korea. Some Koreans use whitening cream to appear whiter, but this does not happen in other parts of the world.

Family Importance And Work Ethics

The people of South Korea put a lot of importance on their families. Family members are fiercely devoted to one another and committed to keeping their bond intact. The brilliance and work ethic of Koreans are well-known. It's no surprise that the nation has one of the highest yearly labor hours in the world.

South Koreans will always be older than the rest of the world. They consider themselves a year old the minute they leave the womb.

In addition, when the following Lunar New Year arrives, youngsters gain a year of age. So, despite the fact that you share some of the same birth data, South Koreans might be two years older than you.

The typical person in Seoul gets fewer than six hours of sleep every night.

South Koreans work 55 hours a week on average.

A large number of Koreans have the same surname. The most prevalent is Kim, which is used by 10.6 million Koreans. It is followed by Lee, Park, Choi, and Jung.

In South Korea, blood type is seen as a sign of a person's personality. As a result, several Koreans consider blood type compatibility while dating or seeking a love partner. Move over, zodiac signs.

South Korea, although being a high-tech contemporary nation, has a very conservative culture.

Even when they are adults, females must seek their fathers for permission to go out.

Religion And Beliefs

Religion is a common subject of discussion in Korea. Directly asking someone about their religious affiliation at the first discussion after meeting them is not considered impolite or intrusive. In this section, we will go through some facts regarding Korean beliefs and their views.

Korea is consistently rated first in the world in terms of the education system and student understanding.

The faiths of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity provide the spiritual foundation and beliefs of Koreans.

Confucianism has a long history of influence in Korea. Its political and social theories may still be recognized today.

Buddhist South Koreans make up 46% of the population.

Korea is still essentially a communal culture, with a strong emphasis on family, business, and people's perceptions of you.

It is not uncommon to still observe family dynamics in which the family's oldest son assumes more obligations. When his parents reach retirement age, he is also expected to look after them.

Non-tourists are seldom seen jaywalking or misbehaving in crowded Seoul. It's part of the culture and identity to avoid causing too much bother to others.

FAQs

What is unique about Korean culture?

Korean culture is distinct and unique, with fascinating customs. In the Korean language, Hangul characters are used instead of Chinese characters. In Korean culture, personal space is highly valued. Koreans do not invade one another's personal space unless they are quite intimate.

What foods define Korean culture?

Rice, vegetables, fish, and meat make up the majority of Korean food. Almost every meal includes kimchi.

Why is age so important in Korea?

In Korean culture, age is very important. When conversing with people of various ages, a diverse vocabulary is employed. People in South Korea act differently depending on age.

What is the national dish of Korea?

The national dish of Korea is kimchi.

How do Koreans calculate their age?

In Korea, a year in the womb is counted towards a person's age. Therefore, everyone is one year old when they are born. On New Year's Day, everyone's Korean age is increased by one year. South Korea is the only nation in the world that does this.

Why does every Korean man serve in the military?

Korean men who are physically capable must attend mandatory military service for around two years. Only international award-winning sportsmen and classical musicians, however, have been given a waiver in appreciation of their contribution to promoting South Korea's image overseas.

What are Korean eating habits?

South Korea's diet emphasizes a high percentage of vegetables, a moderate to high intake of legumes and fish, and a low intake of red meat.

Why is beauty so important in Korea?

The people of South Korea believe that excellent looks are crucial to success. Many individuals feel that the more attractive their resume picture is, the more likely they are to be hired.