1.The ‘Banchan mentality’ Is A Reason Why Google Isn’t Doing Well in Korea
Forget complex algorithms, many Koreans will tell you the reason why they won’t use Google: it simply doesn’t understand them. Koreans are generous by nature: if you’ve ever had a Korean meal, you know that people put everything on the table, and that means lots of ‘Banchan’. ‘Banchan’ refers to the (numerous) side dishes that come with a meal in Korea.
2. You are born at age 1
When you are born in Korea, you are immediately considered to be one year old. This means that whatever your actual age, instead your Korean age will always be one year older.
3.There Are 250 Different Kinds of Kimchi
Koreans take their kimchi very seriously: it is a staple in the Korean diet, and a side of kimchi is always expected when having a meal. And if you think you know kimchi, think twice: there are 250 kinds of kimchi, the most popular of which being cabbage kimchi (paechu kimchi), diced raddish kimchi (kakktugi), cucumber kimchi (o-i kimchi) and water kimchi (moul kimchi).
4. Koreans Eat Seaweed Soup On Their Birthdays
Image Source: Diningwithoutlaws
It may seem like a conservative, no-fun way to celebrate one’s birthday, but in a country where mothers eat highly nutritious ‘myeogguk’ prior to giving birth, seaweed soup has a deeper meaning: to remind children of the pain of childbirth and to appreciate the care given to them by their mother.
5. Koreans Don’t Do ‘Sweet 16’…
Image Source: Popco
But they celebrate a person’s very first birthday in the most festive manner. On ‘Doljanchi’, the birthday baby wears a hanbok, Korea’s traditional garment and a traditional hat. No birthday cake involved, but expect a full table of traditional food for the occasion, including the infamous seaweed soup, fruits (an expensive delicacy in Korea), panjeon (Korean pancakes), and rice cakes.
6. Adultery Was Illegal Until A Few Months Ago
Image Source: Timminspress
For 62 years, married Koreans faced up to two years in prison if they had extra marital affairs, or got involved with a married person. The rationale at the time was to protect women and good morals, but a jury eventually repealed the law in February. About 53,000 South Koreans have been indicted under the law since the authorities began keeping count in 1985.
7. Koreans Cheer High School Students Taking The National Exam By Giving Them Candy
Image Source: Washington Post
Taking the ‘sooneung’, the Korean university entrance exam, is a big deal in Korea: it is not exaggerated to say that a lot of a family’s life revolves around it. Parents put their kids to private institute from a very early age and devote about 10% of their budget to make sure that their offspring have the best possible chances of success.
Mothers even go to temple to pray for their children’s high score on their senior year – so if you think about it, that’s a lot of pressure on a 17 year-old’s shoulders. As a result, on the day they take the test, a crowd of supporters, normally family and friends will gather at the gates of a high school and hand the kids sticky candy for good fortune: Koreans give traditional sticky candy, so students can stick to the passing score!
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It is not uncommon for Koreans to ask a potential match what their blood type is: it is thought to give an indication of someone’s personality and can help determine levels of compatibility. All types boasts strengths and weaknesses, but type B is commonly thought as being the least desirable, as demonstrated by the success of this popular Korean movie. Koreans are quite superstitious, but the practice can be compared to our fascination for astrology.
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Most of the post was originally from xpatnation
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