Skip to content
The saying goes ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, and South Korea is no different. There are several interesting, and sometimes curious, aspects of Korean culture that you only discover once you are there. Today, we will reveal 15 fun facts about Korea that you might not have known.
Fun facts about Korea that you didn’t know
1. Hello, how old are you?
Age is an important factor for Koreans! You will realise that the most important question received during a first meeting will be ‘How old are you?’, almost immediately after asking for your name. When they know how old the person they are talking to is, Koreans will then be able to refer to him/her in the appropriate way. This is because, in Korea, there is no such thing as ‘calling someone by their first name’! To properly address one another, it is according to hierarchy and one’s role in society is fundamental as well. We talked about this in our article on Korean dramas.
2. We are all a year older in Korea
In other countries, the first year of age is calculated from the day of birth, but this is not the case in Korea. One interesting fact about Korea that you might not have known is that the counting starts from when the child is conceived, so all Koreans add one year to their birth year. But did you know that as of 2023, Korea has officially adopted the international age system?
Nonetheless, the unique Korean age system has been around for centuries so the older generation is still getting used to it. It is not surprising to find most Koreans still count one year older as supposed to their official international age!
3. KakaoTalk instead of Whatsapp
Among the curiosities about South Korea is definitely the fundamental use of the KakaoTalk app. In fact, WhatsApp is not used in Korea, but the one and only messaging system is Kakao. One can send written or voice messages, make video calls, send stickers and so on, just like with WhatsApp. The difference is that KakaoTalk has become an essential tool for people living in Korea, and almost the only way Koreans have designed to communicate. If you want to know more, read our article on the Kakao app.
4. Toilet paper in Korea
A typical custom in Korean culture is to give rolls of toilet paper as a good wish for a new home, along with laundry detergents. It seems to be linked to cultural-historical roots, when after the Korean War, toilet paper became a luxury good, and so it remains in the mindset of Koreans to this day.
Another fun fact about Korea is the use of toilet paper in the bathroom. It might be a cultural shock for some but paper is not flushed down the toilet, but to be tossed in special bins next to it. This is because the Korean sewage system is not the best, and flushing paper down the toilet risks clogging the drainage system and causing serious plumbing problems. You will see ‘do not flush paper down the toilet’ signs in the toilets of restaurants, stations, cafeterias, and so on.
5. No wearing of shoes in the house
In all Korean homes, even the most modern ones, it is forbidden to wear shoes inside the apartment. Shoes are left at the entrance then change to wear indoor slippers. Deeply rooted in Korea’s culture and tradition, it is customary to eat, study, and sleep on the floor hence it would be highly unhygienic to walk on the floor with dirty shoes.
Indoor slippers are usually prepared for guests to prevent them from walking barefoot in the house. Find this and other interesting facts in the article on items in Korean homes.
6. Heated floor
One of the other fun facts about Korea is its heated floors (온돌 ondol) in houses. Korean winter is very harsh, which is why a floor heating system was created. As mentioned above, Koreans do most of their activities in the house on the floor, and it would not be pleasant to sit on the ground if it were frozen. It is also a way to save on utility bills as the Ondol keeps the house warm for a long time, even if it is turned off.
7. Don’t mention the number four
The number four in Korea, as in other Asian countries, represents the symbol of death. In Korean, four is pronounced ‘sa’ (사), which has the same pronunciation as the word death. Not simply just one of the fun facts about Korea but Koreans are extremely superstitious about this. On the lifts of many buildings or hospitals, there is no ‘four’ to indicate the 4th level, or it is replaced by the F, referring to the generic English word ‘four’.
8. Don’t blow your nose in public
It is bad manners to blow your nose in public, both because of the noise and the act itself. Probably one of the most subtle fun facts about Korea is when you see a Korean wearing a mask, it is highly likely that they are down with a cold.
To protect yourself and others when you have a severe cold, it is best to blow your nose in the bathroom, without being noticed by other people and put on a mask while being outdoors!
9. Cosmetic products
Like K-pop, Korea has become increasingly popular around the world for its cosmetic products. Koreans are highly invested in appearance and skin care. This is why both men and women use make-up, foundation and whatever else they can find to make their skin look perfect. You can find cosmetics shops everywhere, just a few metres apart, and they are always crowded with shoppers!
One of the more known fun facts about Korea is how cosmetic surgery is almost routine for many people, it is not seen as invasive, but as a ‘necessary’ improvement, now within everyone’s reach. Nonetheless, one should be careful about any procedure and must do thorough research before committing to it.
10. Long sleeves and gloves even in summer
A curiosity about Korea that you might not have known concerns the intensive care of the skin. It will not be uncommon in Korea to find people, especially women, covered from head to toe even in the middle of summer in order not to get burnt and tanned. Hats with visors, gloves or sleeves covering the arms are used to keep out the sun. This is also a common sight at the beach!
Fun facts about Korea at its best include the fashion of Ajumma (아줌마, middle-aged Korean ladies) with a style all their own: curly perm, hat with visor, shoes and tracksuit, turtleneck sweater, gloves and sunglasses.
11. Couples look
Seoul is the city of couples, and in Korea in general, couples love to showcase their partners and even dress alike. It will not be uncommon to see a couple in matching outfits, shoes and phone cases. It may also happen that the outfit sizes are the same, regardless of the height or shape of the person in question.
And speaking of fun facts about Korea, let’s not forget the rubber slippers used by boys or girls as the perfect accessory. Flip-flops are especially used when it rains, regardless of the temperature outside, or combined with fashionable clothing. For more on couple culture in Korea read this article.
12. Kimchi and garlic
Kimchi and garlic are the two main ingredients in Korean cuisine. Kimchi consists of fermented cabbage with a spicy sauce, to be used as a side dish or appetiser for any kind of Korean dish. It can also be made with other vegetables, but cabbage is definitely the most common.
Garlic is also one of the most commonly consumed products in Korea, especially for its beneficial properties: it helps blood circulation, and protects against vascular diseases!
13. Metal chopsticks
While in China or Japan, chopsticks may be made of wood or plastic, but in Korea they are strictly metal. Possibly one of the most interesting fun facts about Korea is that in ancient times, these chopsticks were originally made of silver and were used to test or intercept the poison in the dish!
This tradition has been maintained to this day, but today, the metal chopsticks are designed flatter and lighter. It is said that these chopsticks are convenient for Korean dishes to be eaten while it is hot, such as barbecue meat or spicy tofu soup (sundubu jjigae 순두부찌개).
14. Convenience store
Korean convenience stores (편의점, pyeonuijeom) are the most convenient places to shop on the fly, and there is something for everyone. Pyeonuijeom sells ready-to-eat food, snacks, drinks, instant ramen, and personal items such as razor blades, tissues, toothpaste and toothbrushes. The quality of the food products is pretty decent and it is ideal for those who want to buy a dosirak (도시락), a ready-to-heat meal to eat at home.
15. Efficient subway system
Last on our list of fun facts about Korea, which you may have heard of, concerns the Korean public transport system. It is a very efficient transport network, especially in large metropolises such as Seoul or Busan, where there are many commuters who go to work by metro.
At each metro station, the arrival of the train is indicated by music, which varies according to the line. Then, there are arrows on the floor just in front of the exit door of the carriage, to indicate where to stand or go when getting on or off the train. Not to mention the T-money card, a prepaid magnetic card, used both as a transport pass and as a simple rechargeable card to pay in shops!
These are our 15 fun facts about Korea. Do you have any others that particularly struck you during your trip or your time living in Korea? If you like, write it down in the comments and share it with us.
For more articles on Korean culture, keep following our blog on South Korea.
Do you want to study Korean online and obtain an official certification from a Korean university? Check out our Korean online courses here or contact us.
