Facts About South Korea – 30 Interesting Things to Learn

Do you know any interesting facts about South Korea?

Many people are curious about South Korea these days. Some like K-Pop and K-dramas, while others may be interested in speaking Korean so they can take a trip to Seoul.

In any case, we’ve got you covered! Below is a free PDF guide that you can download and take with you:

An Overview of South Korea

South Korea consists of over 4,000 islands, each with its own unique story and history. Not long ago, South Korea was a small, developing nation closed off to much of the world. However, these days, that is rapidly changing, and it is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations due to its rich history and fantastic food scene (among other things).

South Korea has been getting an increasing amount of publicity around the world. In  East Asia, there is a lot about K-pop, cosmetics, and Korean dramas. In the West, people often hear news about their neighbors up North (although that’s changing too, thanks to the Korean wave).

People worldwide hear about South Korea’s love for plastic surgery. These factors have led to a greater interest in South Korea and studying Korean.

Without further ado, here are the most interesting things about South Korea!

South Korea Facts

Besides the popular reasons for the country’s fame, there are many unique facts about South Korea that you don’t hear about until you are experiencing everyday life here. The good news is, you don’t have to wait for that!

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most interesting facts about South Korea.

Note: We realize that many people who read this may be interested in learning some Korean. Therefore, in addition to some facts, we have added some important Korean vocabulary words related to that point. If you can’t read 한글 (Hangeul | Korean alphabet) yet, you can learn it for free in about one hour by downloading a free guide here.

1. It’s common in Korea to ask about blood types

One of the common facts is that Koreans think there is some significance to their blood type. Their neighbors in Japan are also similar in that way. While people in other countries may or may not know their blood type, every South Korean certainly does know theirs.

One of the interesting facts about blood types in South Korea is that they are thought to contribute to a person’s personality and characteristics. Blood types can be used to help choose a spouse since your partner’s blood type may not be a good match for yours.

For example, Type B females should look for Type O males. Type AB males will also do, but stay away from Type A’s! While not everyone believes in this, expect to hear about it while you’re in South Korea.

The Korean word for blood type is 혈액형 (hyeoraekyeong | blood type). If you’re on a date in South Korea, it’s one of many questions you’ll want to ask your potential partner.

2. South Koreans are one year old when born

One of the unique facts about Koreans is that they’re automatically one year old at birth. A newborn baby is considered one year old in South Korea.

There are different schools of thought as to why this is. One explanation is that people think it’s because the baby is in the mother’s womb for nine months, which is about one year. Therefore in South Korea, the baby is one year old when born.

The method for calculating this is a little tricky since it can vary with the lunar calendar, solar calendar, and your birthday. The simplest way to answer the age question in South Korea is to tell Koreans the year you were born. If you want to use a simple Korean age calculator, this formula should do the trick:

(Current year – your birth year) + 1 = Your Korean age

For example:

(2017 – 1985) + 1 = 33 years old

(2017 – 1991) + 1 = 27 years old

In Korean, a helpful word you may want to learn about age is 만 나이 (man nai | international age). And remember, next New Year’s, tell your South Korean friends Happy Birthday!

3. Fan death is a superstition

An urban legend in South Korea started years ago that electric fans left on while you are sleeping in a room with the windows and door closed can cause death. It is believed that the fan can lower body temperature and cause hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature).

Koreans also believe that the fast-moving air caused by the fan makes it difficult to breathe, causing people to choke. Because of these beliefs, automatic shutoff timers on fans in South Korea are seen as a life-saving feature.

Not all people in South Korea believe this, but it’s best not to try to sway them for those who do. Even if you can scientifically prove your point, you’re still likely to be doubted by superstitious people in South Korea.

The Korean word for “fan death” is 선풍기사망설 (seonpunggisamangseol), a good word to know if you want to ask about this South Korean phenomenon! It’s just one of many Korean urban legends.

4. Koreans are the largest drinkers in Asia

It’s said that when South Koreans try something, they go hard at it. Football (soccer), spicy food, and drinking! Many are surprised to see that Koreans are considered one of the top drinkers in Asia by far. South Korea has a strong drinking culture compared to its neighboring countries in Asia.

This can be rooted in their tradition and culture, where most holidays are celebrated with alcohol. According to the World Health Organization, Koreans consume an average of 12.3L of alcohol per year and are ranked #17 globally!

Koreans drink more alcohol per person per year than other countries like Germany, the U.S., Ireland, Canada, and Australia. The country is considered one of the world’s top consumers! A big contributor to this esteemed award is the consumption of soju. Soju usually has around 19% alcohol content and is commonly drunk with main meals in South Korea.

Have you had a long night out in South Korea? If you’re out at a restaurant in Korea, look for the word 해장국 (haejangguk | hangover soup). This is one of many South Korean hangover cures!

Get “Interesting Facts About South Korea” Free PDF Guide

5. North and South Korea are still at war

By now, you are aware that Korea is a region in East Asia divided between two countries:  North Korea, officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and South Korea, which is called the Republic of Korea.

We often hear news about possible threats from North Korea; most Koreans don’t think much of it. While living here in South Korea, it almost feels like a completely safe situation. The two Koreas may not be battling it out on a day-to-day basis, but they still haven’t made up.

In the year 1953, the two sides agreed to a truce. However, as you head to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone border) in South Korea, you’ll notice that there is still quite a bit of tension there. Despite this, South Korea is still surprisingly safe.

The Korean word for “DMZ” is 비무장지대 (bimujangjidae).

6. The DMZ is a wildlife haven

The Demilitarized Zone is a 4km wide by 248km long stretch of land that separates North Korea from South Korea on the Korean peninsula.

While most natural wildlife and rare plants have been killed off in the South, the DMZ hasn’t been touched in over 60 years. That means that unique species of plants and wild animals have been able to flourish unharmed by the hand of man.

Photographers have been able to enter the DMZ and take photos of flora and fauna long before the peninsula became heavily populated with people. If the two Koreas are ever united, there have been talks of making the DMZ a peace park or a national park to continue to preserve wildlife.

Unfortunately, some of South Korea’s residents are indifferent to what happens to the DMZ. With soaring house pricing in Seoul, it’s a possibility that the area would be demolished to build more apartment complexes.

An easy word to learn is 아파트 (apateu | apartment), which also sounds like the word “apartment.”

7. Valentine’s Day is for guys

Just when you thought there were enough Hallmark holidays, South Korea upped the ante and introduced “White Day.” White Day is essentially another Valentine’s Day, held a month later, on March 14^th.

One of the interesting, fun facts about South Korea is that Valentine’s Day is when the males receive chocolate from females, while girls receive sweets on White Day.

Mark your calendars and brush up on your Valentine’s language; that is one day in South Korea when you don’t want to make a mistake with your significant other!

You can also brush up on your Konglish by learning the word 화이트데이 (White Day).

8. Couples at Christmas, families at New Year

For many people worldwide, Christmas is a time to return to your hometown and spend time with family. New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is typically a party environment spent with friends at a pub, club, or house party. Both holidays are well-celebrated by many countries in the world.

Many people take their time off to travel during these times. South Korea is almost the opposite. Koreans spend their Christmas day with their significant other. It’s not that critical that they see their families on this day.

While New Year’s Day is celebrated in South Korea, it’s not a huge celebration. Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year and is celebrated in the first two months of the year (depending on the lunar calendar).

Around this time, a large percentage of Koreans travel to their hometowns to visit family. If you’re planning to do any road trips around that time, make sure to factor in a few extra hours of road time!

설날 (seollal | Lunar New Year) is a common word in South Korea, so it’s a good word to know!

9. Koreans prefer titles over names

One of the most interesting fun facts about South Korea that often confuses people is when to use names or titles. Culture in South Korea is very hierarchical, and much of it is based on age.

Only in specific situations are you allowed to call someone by their first name. Otherwise, you need to refer to them by title. This can be somewhat confusing at the workplace, especially if you’re managing someone older than you.

This is also the case for home and family life. Getting the titles right is critical and can be a point of strife if family members don’t recognize rank.

The good news is that these situations make for great drama storylines. Just when you thought that discovering your long-lost twin brother while battling through amnesia wasn’t enough, you get some bonus conflict!

If you’re looking for the word for “title,” check out 호칭 (hoching | title).

10. Tetraphobia

In case you’re not up on your phobia lingo, tetraphobia means avoiding the number four. One of the interesting, fun facts about South Korea is that 4 is an unlucky number. Therefore, in elevators, you’ll often see floors 1, 2, 3, and F.

Apartments in South Korea with multiple 4s (ex. 404) in their house number are often avoided, and the property values are lower. This is because the word for 4 in Korean is similar to the word for death.

In Korean, the number “four” is 사, which also means “death.” For more on numbers and counting in Korean, check out our complete guide here.

Get “Interesting Facts About South Korea” Free PDF Guide

11. Spam gifts are a thing in Korea

Shortly after the Korean War, there were few refrigerators or protein-dense foods. Koreans would barter with American troops for the canned delight and come up with a recipe called bujae jiggae (army stew).

As South Korea continued to develop, Spam turned into a staple food and now occupies a warm place in the hearts of Koreans.

One of the interesting, fun facts about South Korea is that Spam is often a common gift given during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). So the next time you’re in South Korea in the fall, look out for shelves stocked with deluxe canned meat gift sets.

The word for “Spam” is 스팸 (seupaem). Look for it the next time you visit a local South Korean grocery store!

12. Toilet paper warms the house

Are you moving into a new house in South Korea? If you’re planning on having a housewarming party (집들이 | jipdeuri) after the move-in, don’t bother buying toilet paper or laundry detergent. You’ll get plenty of it as gifts!

One of the interesting, fun facts about South Korea is that people often give toilet paper and laundry detergent as housewarming gifts.

While you may need to clear out some space in your house to stockpile all the extra household supplies, the great thing about this tradition is that it makes picking out housewarming presents a piece of cake.

The hardest decision you’ll have to make is whether to buy Kleenex brand or 깨끗한나라 (kkaekkeuthannara) brand.

13. Live octopus is a delicacy

One thing that certainly stands out about South Korea is its cuisine, which is gaining a lot of attention from the rest of the world. Not only because of its rich flavor and wide variety but also because of Koreans’ love for freshness.

Raw octopus isn’t good if it’s not squirming around in your mouth, so Koreans skip out on the cooking part. Some will cut up the octopus and put it in a bowl. Others cut off the legs while it’s still alive, eat the legs, and toss the rest of the octopus body into a stew.

If your mouth is watering at the thought of some squirming octopus, you can order some 산낙지 (sannakji | live octopus) when you visit the country. South Korea has plenty more food for the daring!

14. Medical Tourism

One of the interesting, fun facts about South Korea is that it is a popular destination for medical tourism, specifically cosmetic surgery. It’s one of the world’s highest plastic surgeries done per capita. People come from all across the globe to enhance their looks during a short trip to South Korea.

It’s common knowledge that a portion of South Korea’s population is obsessed with some form of cosmetic surgery. It’s hard to walk down the street in a major city like Seoul in South Korea and not see a sign for 성형외과 (seonghyeongoegwa), which means “plastic surgery.”

15. Plastic Cash

Not only is South Korea one of the most wired countries in the world, but it’s also one of the places with the highest credit card usage.

If you’ve visited South Korea before, you’ve probably noticed that it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t accept credit cards. Taxis, food delivery, and almost all restaurants are set up to accept credit cards. If you don’t have a credit card and live in South Korea, getting one is a worthwhile investment.

If you want to ask if a store takes credit cards, you can ask, “카드 돼요 (kadeu dwaeyo)?”

16. Urban and natural beauty coexist

Whether you’re a city lover or a fan of adventuring around the outdoors, South Korea truly has something for everybody! While there’s no arguing that Seoul is a fantastic city full of culture, shopping, and food, making it a huge tourist destination, South Korea is also full of great day hikes.

If you visit South Korea, make sure to explore the natural beauty with a trip down to the beach or up the mountains. Hanging out in the city and experiencing Korean culture is an incredible experience. Still, you can’t say that you genuinely know South Korea until you’ve experienced the natural beauty of the countryside!

Another site that you might want to check out is Magic Island inside Lotte World. Lotte World is a very famous recreation complex located in Seoul.

17. South Korea’s internet is blazing fast

Wherever you are in the world, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of slow internet at some point. Whether it’s from being remote or having periodic issues with your internet service provider, internet connectivity problems can be a serious inconvenience and put anybody in a bad mood.

That being said, you’re in for a virtual treat when you visit South Korea! On average, South Korea has the fastest internet connection speed, and they’re beating every other country’s internet speed by a significant amount.

Stop by an internet cafe while you’re in Seoul and experience what it’s like to have super-powered internet. (Or don’t, if you’re worried you’ll be jealous once you return home!)

18. Seoul is a HUGE City

You’re probably aware that Seoul is a huge city — after all, it is the largest city in South Korea by a landslide. It’s the capital city with 25 million people living within the city limits.

It’s not just a large city — it’s the third-largest city in the world! Although navigating a densely populated city can be a little daunting if you haven’t done it before, the city is very approachable and intuitive once you’ve been there for a couple of days.

Having that many people live in one place means a seemingly infinite number of restaurants, shopping malls, and shops for you to check out during your trip.

There’s way too much to do in a couple of days or even in a couple of months, but you’re bound to have a great time visiting as many restaurants, street food shops, the Han River, and shopping districts in Seoul as you can!

Other notable Cities in Korea is Jeju-do (It is the country’s largest island) and Busan (2nd largest City in Korea)

19. Gangnam Style was a record-breaker

Surely you remember “Gangnam Style,” the song by the musician Psy that made much of the Western world familiar with K-Pop due to its catchy lyrics and its viral exposure on YouTube.

“Gangnam Style” was so popular that it was the first song to hit one billion views on YouTube, which is a fantastic feat when pretty much anyone can find any song in the universe on the site!

“Gangnam Style” was a global sensation and rightfully earned Psy international fame. Although the song is as popular as it is, many people don’t know that it is about the Gangnam District, an affluent district in Seoul, South Korea.

20. Food delivery is taken VERY seriously

If you’re a fan of ordering food to be delivered, you’ll fall in love with the way South Korea handles food delivery. Food delivery in South Korea can be considered one of the best globally.

Whether you’re ordering from a Korean barbecue restaurant or a fast-food restaurant, you will probably have your food delivered to you via an employee on a motorcycle.

The best part about the motorcycle is that it means they can squeeze in between cars and zig-zag through traffic, so they’ll get to you way more quickly than if your food was being delivered on four wheels instead of two!

One of the unique facts about South Korean food delivery is that once you’ve finished enjoying your meal, you can put the dishes outside of your front door, and the person who delivered your food will swing back later to pick them up. Now that’s what we call fantastic service!

Make sure you order delivery at least once while you’re in Korea to experience what all the fuss is about — most restaurants are open late at night for delivery, so if you’re looking for a snack after a night out, you can call in your order, so you don’t even have to leave your apartment.

21. Heat rises… Through the floor!

Most modern houses in the Western world come equipped with central heating systems that send hot air through metal vents hidden in the walls during the cooler months.

South Korea utilizes a different system with its own unique set of perks — rather than sending heat through vents; most South Korean homes are heated through the floor!

Pipes are immediately under the floor in South Korean homes, and heat passes through these pipes to send warmth up through the floor into the above apartment or house. This system means that your feet will always be warm on cold winter mornings — what’s not to love about that?

Due to this difference in heating systems, you’ll often find Koreans hanging out on the warm floor during the cooler months of the year.

22. Sleep Deprivation is a (very) common occurrence

While being sleep deprived is a reality worldwide in some industries, it’s usually restricted to a select few industries and isn’t a huge part of a given culture.

South Korea is different in that regard — during your time in South Korea, if you ask people how much they sleep on any given night, you’ll more likely than not hear “six hours a night.”

Most scientific organizations recommend a solid eight to nine hours a night, so South Koreans are technically sleep-deprived! However, because it’s such a normal occurrence, you won’t hear people complain about how tired they are unless you specifically bring up sleep.

You’ll have so much to do and experience during your trip that you may find yourself leaning towards getting six hours a night as well — after all, there are only so many hours in a day!

23. Samsung is everywhere

Samsung is one of the largest technology countries globally, and it’s based in Seoul — the company is responsible for a fifth of the country’s booming economy, which is no small feat!

However, in many countries, Samsung is only known for its cutting-edge cell phone technology. In reality, they’re also responsible for creating modern and reliable armored cars for military use and medical equipment, among other technologies.

24. Both men and women are obsessed with makeup

Makeup is easy to fall in love with — it’s a ton of fun experimenting with different makeup styles and transforming your face for special events. It also lets many people who are insecure about parts of their appearance feel more comfortable in their skin on a day-to-day basis.

It’s common knowledge that South Korea is one of the makeup capitals of the world. There are entire districts of Seoul dedicated to cosmetic shops, so it’s truly a makeup lover’s paradise.

What’s less well known is that men and women alike wear makeup in South Korea — there is no stigma about men wearing makeup, so some men wear significantly more makeup than women here! Everybody wants to put their best face forward, and makeup plays a big part in that.

25. You can drink anywhere – and we mean anywhere!

While most Western countries have at least some regulations on where you can and cannot drink in public, South Korea is a firm believer in the freedom to drink wherever you want. Feel like drinking on a public bus? No problem. How about walking in the middle of the street? Sounds like a plan!

With great power comes great responsibility, however, so if it’s your first time in a country without regulations on where you can drink, try not to pass out on the sidewalk. It’s not comfortable – trust me!

26. Jaywalking is NOT a thing

We’re all guilty of jaywalking. (At least, that’s what I tell myself so that I feel less guilty.) Although it’s super common in other parts of the world, you will NOT find jaywalking during your visit here. This is one of the interesting facts about South Korea that may take a bit of time to get used to.

South Koreans are very respectful of traffic and pedestrian laws, so they’ll wait for a visual indication that they’re allowed to cross the street every time, even if the street is clear!

Fortunately, in an extremely populated city like Seoul, this makes for safer streets and much fewer traffic incidents. While I won’t be hopping on the no-jaywalking bandwagon anytime soon, I can respect the people in South Korea for obeying laws and putting safety first part of their day-to-day culture!

27. Internet censorship exists… and not just in your place of employment!

Although South Korea is a democracy, the South Korean Government still has a say in what you can and cannot look at while using the internet in the country.

As somebody who is on the internet pretty much all day, every day, I can’t say that this is something I’d be necessarily excited about. However, it’s apparently relatively easy to get around the censorship by using proxy servers to access restricted sites, so don’t let the censorship deter you from visiting South Korea! It’s well worth it.

28. Plastic surgery is SUPER normal

While plastic surgery is taboo at best and frowned upon at worst in most Western countries, South Korea has fully embraced plastic surgery to the point that it is very accepted (and even encouraged).

It’s not uncommon for South Korean teenagers to get plastic surgery before they enter university. They don’t have to worry about seeking parental approval because their parents often encourage it and pay for it!

The most common seekers of plastic surgery in South Korea are women. The most common target for plastic surgery is their eyes for double eyelid surgery, their nose, and their chin in an attempt to pursue a look popularized by celebrities.

Plastic surgery is also much more affordable in South Korea than in other countries, making it more accessible.

29. Do NOT put that toilet paper in the toilet

While South Korea’s technology is way ahead of its time, its waste disposal system leaves something to be desired.

People in South Korea cannot flush toilet paper due to the delicacy of the sewage system, so the norm in South Korea is to throw used toilet paper away in trash bins next to the toilet rather than flush it down the drain.

30. There’s a lot more to kimchi than meets the eye

There are 250 different types of kimchi, which explains how kimchi can be versatile enough to be incorporated into so many different types of South Korean dishes! Kimchi is considered one of the most iconic traditional Korean food items. A side of kimchi is standard no matter where or when you’re eating a meal.

Kimchi is a fermented dish that can utilize a variety of vegetables and seasonings depending on preference.

Kimchi is also excellent for digestive health, so Koreans are way ahead of the game in making it a part of every meal. Make sure to try a side of kimchi with your next meal in South Korea – you won’t be disappointed!

Wrap Up

South Korea is an exciting and complex country. The more facts you learn, the more you’ll want to know!

If you’re interested in learning Korean, we have a structured course that will help you have a 3-minute conversation in Korean in just 90 Days. Check out our 90 Day Korean membership program.

What is the most astonishing fact that you’ve learned about South Korea? Feel free to leave a comment about your experiences; we’d love to hear from you!