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South Korea is an ancient country with a rich culture. But unless you were deeply interested in the Eastern traditions and cultural heritage, up until about a decade ago there was probably not much you knew about Korea. This changed when the so-called Korean Wave, or Hallyu, hit the West.
The surge started with music and extended into TV shows (commonly called dramas), movies, skincare, and fashion. This, as a result, brought interest to the Korean language and other more traditional aspects of the culture. Understanding the benefits this could bring to the overall economy of the country, the government of the Republic of Korea continued supporting the promotion of their popular and traditional culture in the world. Today, you have heard about K-pop and at least one Korean drama even if you live under a rock.
But of course, South Korea, also known as the Land of the Morning Calm, is much more than just its entertainment. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a vibrant city that houses multiple corporations and historical monuments. It is a gateway to getting acquainted with the country, but if you want to learn more about South Korean culture, you should travel around the country, get to know the local people, and experience a lot of things firsthand.
For this article, we collected a bunch of fun facts about South Korea that will help you understand the country a little bit better and maybe even inspire you for a trip. Share these facts with your friends and let us know in the comments which ones you found most fascinating.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Airports in Seoul provide a map of your gate on the back of your boarding pass.
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#2
There are rooms filled with couches for anyone to take a nap in at the airport while waiting for their flight.
Zoey Rayne 2 years ago
As someone who has slept on an airport floor after a late night flight was delayed until the next morning, yes, please.
Tim Nicebutdim 2 years ago
I've only been to one airport that had a sleeping room, Hong Kong. All went well until someone came in and snored like a hippo.
#3
New Seoul subway trains tell you how crowded each cell is by color.
#4
Solar-powered benches in Seoul, complete with USB and wireless charging docks.
Cara 2 years ago
I know nothing about solar panels, but do they get hot in the sun? You could toast your buns there as well if so!
Mimi La Souris 2 years ago
that. and no more sun if you sit on them, sooooo
Load More Replies... #5
Some subway cars in Seoul have a mini library.
🇺🇦 PrincessPatton 🇺🇦 2 years ago
As a person of small stature, I appreciate that they also have handles that are low so I could comfortably hold on without flying like a rag on a stick :)
#6
South Korea puts traffic lights on the ground so that people who are looking at their phones can still see the light.
Cristian Gonzalez 2 years ago
I think just ahve people put their phones away while walking. See? problem solved.
Niall Mac Iomera 2 years ago
Just like how we could end all robberies by just having people not steal anything!
Load More Replies... #7
Self-cleaning road technology is used in South Korea, in warmer seasons water is used and sand in winter.
#8
South Korea supports young people who are having a hard time interacting with the world outside the comfort of their homes. If you make an effort and start attending school or going to work, you will receive a monthly allowance of $500 on top of that.
sweetrottenpeaches 2 years ago
I guess this is because of the "hikikomori syndrome" really became a thing, and not only in Japan.
SeaJaySea 1 year ago
From google 'A form of severe social withdrawal, called hikikomori, has been frequently described in Japan and is characterized by adolescents and young adults who become recluses in their parents' homes, unable to work or go to school for months or years.'
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That Goth Demon (zey/zem) 2 years ago
Omg this is literally the best thing I've ever heard of.
#9
Spot to pour your drink out before throwing it away.
Vitiosus The Black Sheep 2 years ago
Isn't this a thing everywhere? Where it isn't? Every fast food restaurant in Finland has this, at least where I've been visiting. 👀
#10
An intercity bus, complete with chargers, a table, and a footrest.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
some buses/trains where I am have this, in the UK, but the charging ports are always full of chewed up gum e_e and the tables aren't this fancy, we don't have footrests like that, either. or a screen...
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Some of the better Orlean Express busses have this. Other bus lines I have used don't have the scereen, just charging ports and table
#11
Starbucks in Seoul is offering used coffee grounds for gardening.
🇺🇦 PrincessPatton 🇺🇦 2 years ago
I make my coffee in a mocha pot and then dump coffee grounds into the garden beds around the house. They say it also repels moles and slugs and maybe that's true because there are none in the places where I put the grounds.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I use them to protect my spinach from snails and it works well
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#12
Automatic ramen dispenser in South Korea.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
imagine if they had these on every college/uni campus, they'd be making a fortune!
#13
Apartment complexes in South Korea were being painted, so the painters shrouded all the cars in the parking lot to protect them from splatter.
Zoey Rayne 2 years ago
Meanwhile I still have white paint drops stuck on my brown vinyl apartment floor from the last time management stopped by to do a much needed touch up job.
#14
Korea has a lot of vending machines to help us out in any scenario, for example, a sock or a bouquet vending machine.
#15
Supermarkets in Korea offer toilet paper samples for you to test paper's softness.
Headless Roach 2 years ago
Testing on the spot? Sounds a bit awkward, but okay... *obligingly dropping my pants*
#16
Back in the old days, fermented cabbage was practically the only choice for the poor population to survive harsh winters. Since then, kimchi has become a staple food and somewhat of a symbol for the national cuisine.
sweetrottenpeaches 2 years ago
It is so good it builts up some kind of an additcion. I can eat it even on its own. This stuff is special really. Kimchi made of fresh green onions is so good as well. It is a treasure considering the taste and the nutritional facts. ❤️
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
Fun fact: whilst the most common kimchi is cabbage, Kimchi does not in fact, always mean it is cabbage, it can be a number of fermented vegetables. All of which can of course, be delicious.
Midwest Mike 2 years ago
Also “Budae-jjigae” aka: “Army Stew” that has its own Wikipedia entry. I so want to try it. Absolutely fascinating history.
#17
It took South Korea only about 20 years to turn from one of the poorest countries in the world back in the ’50s to one of the richest nations. While the political leader of the country who enforced this growth is often regarded as a dictator, the economic leap is still among one of the most impressive in the world. And of course, the bulk of the credit goes to the hardworking people.
#19
If you are born in Korea, you are already one year old. Also, you add a year not on your actual birthday, but as soon as the year starts. However, on June 28, 2023, South Korea will convert to the international age-counting system, which means from June 28, every Korean will become one year younger!
Nichole Harris 2 years ago
I'm so jealous I want to get younger on my birthday too
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Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
Pity those people waiting to turn the legal age for drinking, now they have to wait another year
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
I can see why for many reasons it may be easier to have your age be international etc, but when it comes to interesting traditions, I think that within Korea, why not keep the traditional aging and new year etc?
#20
When Koreans took to the streets to protest against the then-President Park Geun-Hye, the only thing they took with them was candles. Non-violent mass protests against the lack of responsibility over the Sewol ferry disaster and overall corruption brought the result people wanted: the president was impeached and stepped down.
That Goth Demon (zey/zem) 2 years ago
Wow. Presidents that have conscience and listen to the public 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Slay Queen 1 year ago
It was a very famous event. people had candles and the result was there being practically an ocean of canals. they lit up the night and it is famous and rememebered even now
#21
South Korea offers helpful robots that wander Incheon Airport, Seoul, that you can use to check flight information.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
ngl these are also kind of terrifying. Imagine one of these chasing you through the airport lmao
#22
For the past decade, the Korean entertainment industry has been steadily conquering the world scene. From music to dramas to movies to fashion and beauty, it is gaining more and more fans. The first Korean movie to win an Oscar for best film was none other than Parasite.
Be Weird 24/7 1 year ago
K-pop,K DRAMA,P1HARMONY,BTS,STRAY KIDS,ENHYPEN,BLACKPINK,RED VELVET,NEWJEANS!!!!!!
#23
Some movie theaters in Seoul have slides inside.
Firstname Lastname 2 years ago
Do you have to buy a movie ticket or can you just go in for some sliding fun? :)
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
They have some in movie theatres in Australia, but in the theatre, particularly for kids movies, though they do screen other movies in these theatres at times.
#24
Some sausages in South Korea come with pictures and words of encouragement written on them.
Zoey Rayne 2 years ago
I've seen this on Hals cough drops in the US and inside Dove chocolate wrappers.
#25
Ice skater Kim Yuna is a national hero in South Korea. Throughout her career, she has won every possible ice skating competition and prize. She is also considered to have played a huge role in bringing the Olympics to South Korea.
#26
Whatever you think is the best-selling alcohol in the world, that’s not it. Jinro Soju has been topping alcohol sales for years. This is not all that surprising when you realize Koreans are also one of the world’s biggest consumers of hard liquors.
Sean Matherne 2 years ago
Not to mention it is dirt cheap in Korea. Maybe a couple of bucks, even in restaurants.
#27
Koreans might be big on entertainment but they are even bigger on respect and observing the rules. You will rarely see them violating traffic rules or doing something that will disturb others. This is a big part of the nation’s cultural identity.
Sean Matherne 2 years ago
I lived in Korea for 8 years. Traffic rules were constantly violated. Lane markers were suggestions, red lights constantly ignored, and speed limits hardly ever observed. The difference is that it was pretty consistent, so as long as you expected craziness while driving, you were fine.
Snorky The Pig 2 years ago (edited)
Not exactly true. My father is Korean-Japanese, and he has some stories.
#28
A free mouthwash dispenser in the mall restroom in Seoul, Korea, to always keep your breath clean.
Headless Roach 2 years ago
Omg, for a moment I thought the black button was the actual dispenser nozzle. I'm not worthy of Korean innovations. Half asleep as this at least.
#29
Several worldwide studies constantly place South Korea in top positions when it comes to education. Not only is their education system considered to be one of the best, but also 68% of Koreans between the age of 25 and 34 have graduated from a university or a similar institution.
#30
If you are into eSports, South Korea should be on your traveling list. From huge computer rooms where people come to play to huge eSports events on the beach, South Korea can offer it all to fans and players alike.
Mimi La Souris 2 years ago
I saw a documentary about the little Korean geniuses of esports, recruited very young because their career ends at 19, age of compulsory military service of 2 years.
Btsquestrian 2 years ago
The laws have changed since then. It is now an 18-month army enlistment. Jin of BTS (Kim Seokjin) enlisted in December. His discharge date is 12 June 2024. j-hope of BTS (Jung Hoseok) enlisted last month, with a discharge date of 17 October 2024. Some of the other military services have longer enlistments.
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#31
A new study discovered that South Korean women born after the year 2030 are expected to live longer than 90 years. That will give them the longest life expectancy in the world.
#32
Almost half of the Korean population has one of these three last names: Kim, Lee, or Park, with Kim being the most widespread one among the three. This is a relic of Korean merchants trying to grow in power in the 18th century.
Zoey Rayne 2 years ago
That kind of defeats the purpose of last names. (Btw, I had professor name Dr. Song, another very popular Korean surname)
#33
Since it is not uncommon for young Koreans to live with their parents or in a dorm (even past student time), love motels are a booming business. Ranging from basic to luxurious, they are not only for one-night stands. People who are in a steady relationship but don’t have a place of their own can also spend time there.
#34
In Korea, when someone asks you about your well-being, it is very common to say “Have you eaten?” Food is a big part of the cultural identity, with tons of restaurants and eateries open on every corner. Koreans follow food trends and even have televised events of people eating various foods.
Btsquestrian 2 years ago
It's because food was very scarce in the aftermath of the Korean war.
Load More Replies... Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
ah, Mukbang, the ruin of vegan violinists. >.> (but i hear the guy is starting to lose weight, so good on him)
#35
Koreans are not big fans of sleeping in a closed room with a fan on (pun intended). There is a widespread belief that this might be a cause of an untimely death. The origin of this anxiety is unknown, but it is strong even nowadays.
Sean Matherne 2 years ago
All portable fans have timers on them for this reason. I've been in offices in schools that were nice and cool because of AC and someone would open the window to let the hot summer air in because the AC "removed the oxygen."
#36
Public toilets in Seoul have a face mirror when you sit down, for a more convenient looking at your face.
Roan The Demon Kitty 2 years ago
not, all, because some public toilets in Seoul (and the rest of Korea) are still the ol' squat type. Though just like in Japan, these are becoming rarer and are more often in older buildings or more rural areas.
#37
Like fishing but not a big fan of the outdoors? There are bars in South Korea that offer indoor fishing. In some of them, you can even get them to cook whatever you catch.
#38
South Korea has the world’s leading industry in plastic surgery. With ¼ of the nation having had plastic surgery of some kind before, it was only a matter of time before the industry would develop to offer incredible results.
Btsquestrian 2 years ago
I think that it started before that, with the rise of K-dramas
Load More Replies... What do you think ?
Samantha Marcus 2 years ago
Some of these are way off (people seem to see driving rules as mere suggestions) or only in one place, not city or country wide. I've lived in Seoul for 8 years and have never seen the library subway.
Camilla Koutsos 2 years ago
Many of these are conveyed through Korean TV shows, which are extraordinarily trope-heavy and formulaic, but really interesting and fun to an ignorant white chick, like me. They don't seem to show enough of the problems facing South Koreans though, so it's best to view them as escapist. The quality is high.
Samantha Marcus 2 years ago
Some of these are way off (people seem to see driving rules as mere suggestions) or only in one place, not city or country wide. I've lived in Seoul for 8 years and have never seen the library subway.
Camilla Koutsos 2 years ago
Many of these are conveyed through Korean TV shows, which are extraordinarily trope-heavy and formulaic, but really interesting and fun to an ignorant white chick, like me. They don't seem to show enough of the problems facing South Koreans though, so it's best to view them as escapist. The quality is high.
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