30 Facts You Need To Know About South Korea

While it’s easy to find a public toilet in South Korea, the same can’t be said for garbage cans. And that doesn’t cover half the things you’ll learn or experience while living or traveling in the country. Intrigued and want to know more about South Korea? Here are 30 fun facts about the country!

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1. The Land of Morning Brightness/Land of Morning Calm

Although South Korea is known for its fast-paced environment and its contrast between modernity (skyscrapers) and tradition, if you focus on its more rural regions and tranquil scenery, you’ll understand why the country has been nicknamed as the Land of the Morning Calm.

As visitors come not only for its beautiful temples and its history, but also for its nature and the breathtaking panoramas you’ll see once you move away from the city center.

2. A revolutionary alphabet

Hangeul, or the Korean alphabet, has an interesting and remarkable history, so much so that it has become a national holiday, celebrated every year on October 9.

Created by King Sejong, a scholar who is still considered one of the greatest rulers of the country, this initiative changed the lives of many people. Believing that the use of Chinese characters was too complex for the least educated caste, and promoting equal expression for all, whether peasant, slave, or from a more fortunate family, the king came up with the idea of Hangeul in 1443.

A revolutionary thought that is today praised as one of the world’s most elegant and simple alphabets.

3. Good luck finding a trash can

If you come from a country where you’re used to finding trash cans every few hundred meters on the street, let me tell you that finding one in South Korea is like finding the Holy Grail: almost impossible!

This fun fact, now part of history for locals, was first introduced in 1995 with the PAYT (or Pay As You Throw) system aimed at reducing the amount of waste by making households buy bags of different sizes according to the amount of their garbage, raising awareness on the importance of recyling as well as their environmental impact.

One thing’s for sure: even though there was a strong initial disapproval; the inhabitants quickly realized the benefits of this system, and the cleanliness of the streets is also strong evidence of that.

So if you’re traveling in South Korea, remember to always carry a small plastic bag with you so you don’t have to search for a trash can for hours.

4. 70% of the global market share in seaweed production

Exported to over a hundred countries, the dried seaweed’s market has never been better. With the ingredient widely used in many delicious recipes, as well as a side dish, it’s no wonder public interest is so high.

Plus, if you’ve never tried it as a snack, I’d highly recommend it because, while it may be an acquired taste, its health benefits and savory flavor will appeal to many, believe me.

And while we’re on the food topic, you should know that the famous side dish known as kimchi comes in over 100 varieties, enough to satisfy a myriad of tastes, don’t you think?

5. It’s a bit frowned upon to be hairy

Okay, so don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about being bald, I’m talking about facial hair!

That’s one of the facts I had trouble understanding until one of my friends explained why. So, listen guys, having a beard and showing your masculinity may be something to be proud of anywhere else in the world, but not in Korea.

The reason: Koreans care a lot about beauty standards and style, but having a beard or facial hair is pretty much considered dirty, and since they like to have a clean, perfect look, you’ll almost always see them clean-shaven! It’s also has to do with the fact that they want to look younger and beards usually age most men, don’t they?

6. Couple matching outfits are a thing

If you’re traveling solo in Korea, I guarantee you’ll soon be envying the couples or wanting to tell them to get lost. Why? Firstly, because they’re way too cute together, and because they give the definition of couple a whole new dimension.

Often, you’ll see them wearing matching outfits, right down to the shoes or socks. And although at first you might think it’s crazy, I actually think it’s a very adorable way to show their love.

I can already see you cringing behind your screen, don’t worry, some of them only wear complementary colors and others only wear matching rings!

7. Street parasols

Here’s one amazing, ingenious thing that I’ve never seen anywhere else in the world, or at least not yet: street parasols. If you’re familiar with the scorching temperatures you’ll experience in Asia, you’ll know how precious even the tiniest patch of shade is!

Waiting for the endless red light that never seems to turn green and getting a tan at the same time? Not with these parasols!

This smart invention is no remplacement for the fabulous air conditioning, of course, but it’s a life saver when I’m exploring the streets of Korea in summer!

8. Korea’s hard water

Tap water in Korea is supposed to be safe to drink, but if you ask your Korean friends, they generally don’t drink it and one of the reasons may be that they not only think it’s dirty (an old prejudice, I think) but also that the water is very hard and full of minerals.

Check the bathroom at your hostel/hotel and you’ll see that most of the time, there’s a shower filter because in Korea water is supposed to have a high level of calcium, with some people even reporting hair loss if they don’t put a filter on their shower head.

And while I haven’t personally reported hair loss (perhaps because I’m used to it, coming from a country with hard water too), I’d still recommend opting for a shower filter if you’re sensitive.

9. Chaebols rule the country’s economy

What are chaebols? Simply put, they’re big conglomerate run-families operating internationally that gained even more influence in the 1960s, after the Korean War, in an effort to rebuild the nation. They then became an important figure in the Korean’s economy, holding at least half of its power.

They’re pretty much considered untouchable, which poses a threat to the country’s economic balance in the event of a financial crisis.

And if you’re wondering who’s behind these chaebols, you’re all familiar with at least one group: Samsung.

10. The history of surnames

This is one of the facts I’ve learned from immersing myself in the country’s history and culture. If you enjoy watching k-dramas/movies or know anything about Korea, you’ll quickly notice that many famous or non-famous people actually share the same surname. To understand this, we need to go back to a time when only rich familes or those with high-ranking positions were allowed to have a last name.

And it was only after this old system was abolished that every Korean was finally able to have a surname, which had to be adopted (people often chose the most common ones) and so today there are only 288 last names in Korea.

But this doesn’t mean that if someone is a “Kim”, they’re automatically related to another “Kim”. Thanks to the different clans and birthplace of your ancestor, you can accurately trace the origins of your surname and family. Interesting, isn’t it?

And while we’re on subject of family names, here are two more fun facts:

• people weren’t allowed to legally marry if they had the same last name, for fear that they might be from the same clan, which wasn’t amended until the late 1990s.
  
• Korean women keep their own surname when they marry.

11. Did you eat?

What’s the first thing you say when greeting a friend? Usually, how are you?

Well, not in Korea, where you’re asked “밥 먹었어요?” or “Did you eat”? So why and where does it come from? Dating back to a time when food was scarce (during the Korean war), this simple expression was used to express concern and ask about a person’s well-being and to show empathy in those difficult shared times.

I guess the expression has stuck and is now used by everyone, whatever their age group.

12. A rapid economic growth

If I told you that South Korea was once even poorer than Yemen, for example, would you believe it? Because it’s true.

Even before the devastating Korean War, the country was one of the poorest in the world, until it began to turn to the export of simple materials (textiles…), to prioritize education and to stay united after a major financial crisis. Koreans were able to bounce back from many hardships, keeping innovation in mind and always adapting, which enabled them to know a rapid economic growth in the first 20 years after the war, and become one of the richest countries in the world.

The phenomenon is also known as “The Miracle on the Han River“.

13. High beauty standards

Remember the “no beard” fact? One thing is certain: South Koreans have high beauty standards: the younger you look, the better. So it’s not surprising that plastic surgery is not only commonplace, but also one of the best in the world.

So much so, in fact, that even foreigners often only visit the country to undergo cosmetic procedures.

The bigh downside: due to the strong influence of the media, especially idols, on peoples’ lives, some people never seem satisfied with their appearance and tend to strive to achieve unrealistic beauty standards.

14. A strictly regulated activity

As I mentioned in another article about the weirdest laws, tattoos aren’t as much popular here as they are in other countries. This art form, which is often a way of expression and also a form of identity in other parts of the world, is quite frowned upon in South Korea.

Strictly regulated, Koreans that want to practice this art must hold a doctor’s license, and while you’ll have no trouble finding tattoo shops in the big cities, some artists decide to leave the country and practice somewhere where the rules aren’t as severe.

And even if opinions are evolving, the conservative society still hasn’t decided to recognize tatoo artists. Perhaps in the near future, who knows?

15. The importance of nature

With such big cities and such modernity, one might expect to get lost in the concrete jungle when visiting South Korea, but this would be to underestimate the role and importance of nature in the lives of the locals.

With 23 national parks, numerous recreational forests as well as parks, not to mention the fact that hiking is rather a hobby loved by many citizens, the country has everything you need to enjoy a moment of calm and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

And once you’ve seen Korea’s stunning mountain panoramas and coastal walks, you’ll understand just how much its people actually care about its natural wonders.

What also makes the country so special is the harmony it has managed to maintain between cultural heritage, history, modernity, tradition and nature.

16. Toilet paper as a housewarming gift

Fun fact, isn’t it? While you’re probably used to bringing food, drinks, plants or something of the kind to your friend’s house for their housewarming gift, in Korea, get ready to bring toilet paper. And even if you think it’s funny, there’s more to it than just a matter of hygiene, because it also means you’re wishing your friend or relative good fortune and good health.

And if someone’s already planning to bring some, you can always opt for laundry detergent!

17. Don’t flush down your toilet paper

Let’s stay on the subject of toilet paper for a moment. If you’ve ever been to a Southeast Asian country, the chance that you’ll have encountered this situation is more likely higher. What I mean by this is that whenever you’ve entered a restroom, you’ve surely noticed a sign hanging on the door that basically says you shouldn’t throw your toilet paper down the toilet.

And while some of you may find it surprising, South Korea is no exception! Of course, you’ll find places where it’s totally fine to flush toilet paper down the toilet, but this isn’t always the case. The reason: some pipes, especially in older buildings, are narrow. Add to this the fact that people throw things they shouldn’t, and you get clogged toilets.

So if you see a garbage can in the toilet, don’t hesitate, but don’t flush down your toilet paper!

18. First Asian country in terms of annual working hours per worker

It’s no longer a surprise as Koreans are known for working a lot of overtime and because their work culture is quite strict to say the least. Not only are they the first Asian country, they also rank fifth in the world with a total of 1,901 working hours per person, behind Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Colombia, who top the overall ranking with a staggering 2,405 hours/worker.

19. Watch out for red ink or the number 4

You know that countries have their own superstitions, such as the unlucky number 13, black cats or walking under a ladder, to name but a few. Well, here are two of them you’ll hear about in South Korea.

First, the one associated with red ink. It is said that if you use red ink to write someone’s name, you’ll bring them bad luck, or worse, as red ink was traditionally used to write the names of the dead. So it’s best to keep that in mind, unless you keep a Death Note.

What about the number four? Simply because the word is similar to the word “death” itself, which is why you’ll sometimes see the letter “F” replacing the 4 in elevators.

Spooky, isn’t it?

20. Drinking culture

Who doesn’t like social gatherings? Sometimes I do! But be prepared because South Korea is one of the countries where alcohol is not only used as a means of venting sentimental or professional problems to friends, but also as a way of getting closer.

Because yes, drinking is also part of the work culture, where “Hoesik” or after-work dinners are a big thing and if you don’t attend, you’ll quickly feel like an outcast.

And if you’ve never drank with Koreans before, let me tell you: don’t challenge them, because chances are they can hold their liquor better than you can. So if you’re partying with locals and they ask you if you want to go for another “cha” (or round), get ready not to go home before dawn!

21. Fourth highest suicide rate in the world

This sad fact is mainly observed among two populations. Firstly, students, because of the constant pressure they feel. Indeed, even if the country’s education system is considered to be good, the competition between students to get the best possible grades to get into the best universities is very tough. Sleep deprivation, high stress levels and feelings of shame if they don’t succeed are commonplace.

The other population often comitting suicide are the elderly as the pension they received is often not enough to cover their financial expenses so if they have no family to help them or if they don’t want to burden them, you’ll often see them working in the streets, collecting cardboards boxes and everything that can be recycled to earn a little money. In Korea, it’s not unusual to see elderly people working into their 80s if they’re healthy enough, that is.

22. The DMZ: a unique space between peace and conflict

The DMZ or Demilitarized Zone, is a place like no other in Korea, and can be defined as the border between North and South Korea. With each army on its sides, this area of land is a symbol of peace between the two countries, but also a witness to the constant conflict between the two nations.

Many foreign tourists visit the area because there’s no better location to learn more about the countries’ history, but also to see how nature has reclaimed its rights in this special zone where little or no human interference has disrupted the wildlife over the years.

23. Indifferent to the threats

If you’ve seen the news recently, or if you follow the tensions between North and South Korea at all, you’ll notice that there have been numerous nuclear and other provocations from the North.

So, of course, when I first set foot in the country, I was curious to know how South Koreans perceived these threats, and why they always seemed so indifferent. Is it all pretense, or are they simply not scared?

Here’s what one of my friends and many locals told me: when there’s a provocation, it’s usually because they need help, attention or because the leader wants to assert his political authority.

And that’s why they’re mindful to threats (of course), but not afraid.

24. Reciprocity day

There’s no jealousy in South Korea, at least not on Valentine’s Day, where it’s customary for women to give chocolates to their lovely boyfriends, and a month later, on White Day, it’s the gentlemen’s turn to offer a gift to their loved ones.

Pretty nice, isn’t it?

25. Crime reenactment

This is one of those facts I don’t really know what to think about, but frankly, it still weirds me out. In South Korea, crime reenactment takes on a quite other dimension where the accused is brought to the crime scene to show how it happened.

This process supposedly helps the prosecutors find new evidence to support their case, but it doesn’t stop there, because what I find really strange is that the reenactment actually happens publicly so that everyone can assist to the “show”, and if the accused, who has not yet been judged, is found innocent, the consequences can be disastrous.

Indeed, these reenactments are not only covered by the media so that everyone knows the face of the poor innocent person, but also because this practice is rather humiliating, forcing the accused to reproduce the crime while surrounded by angry people. Rather degrading.

26. An iconic Chuseok gift: Spam

For those who’re not familiar with Spam, it’s a popular canned meat originating in the United States.

But why eat canned meat during Chuseok (similar to Thanksgiving)? Well, it goes back to the end of the Korean War. At the time, the people lived in great poverty and meat was rather scarce, so any food found was a gift. It was at this period that letfover cans of Spam or smuggled ones made their appearance among other imported foods from the United States.

And even if this isn’t the most healthy dish, today it’s considered a symbol in Korean food culture, as it’s part of an emblematic dish invented during these difficult times: budae jjigae (부대찌개) or “Army stew”.

27. Quirky food

Let’s talk a little more about the food. South Korea offers a wide range of delicious and spicy dishes, that’s for sure, but they also have some original dishes that I’ve never seen before.

Between chicken feet, raw octopus, roasted silkworm larvae, blowfish soup, pig’s skin, pig’s feet, fried pig’s intestines and more, there’s something to suit every taste. And while some of them, if not all, sound gross, they’re all delicious, with the exception of pig’s feet, whose texture just doesn’t work for me. Oh, and let’s not forget that these dishes have, in fact, many health benefits, so give them a chance next time you visit Korea!

28. The country of change

Remember when I talked about the rapid evolution of the country’s economy in just 20 years? Well, South Korea is definitely a nation that’s constantly evolving, and you can see this in the technology and entertainment sectors, but also in everyday life.

Even shops come and go here, so it’s not surprising to walk down the street one day to find a cute cafe that will be replaced 2 months later by a floral shop, for example. This can be explained by the fact that it’s rather easy to open a business in Korea, but the difficulty lies in making it thrive and earning enough money to keep it going.

29. Bathhouses: a significant part of the culture

Bathhouses, or Jjimjilbang in Korea aren’t just your typical spa where you go to relax or scrub yourself. It’s a veritable experience. One where you can socialize, have a meeting, watch TV and have fun.

Of course, if you’re shy, you’ll need to step out of your comfort zone as you’ll have to get naked to enter the baths. While this may be intimidating at first, once you realize that no other woman/man besides you cares what you look like, it’ll actually be liberating.

Jjimjilbang aren’t just cheap and relaxing, they’re also a great way to experience a part of Korean culture!

30. Ondol, or one of the best inventions ever made

This is probably one of my favorite inventions I’ve had the chance to discover in South Korea, especially for someone like me who hates the cold or winter, for that matter.

Ondol or underfloor heating system will make you never want to leave your room, and you’ll quicky fall in love with it too, particularly after a day spent exploring the city in sub-zero temperatures!

Any other fun facts you know about South Korea that you’d love to share, or about other countries? Feel free to leave them in the comments!