What is Korea famous for? Interesting facts about Korea. Traditions and customs

South Korea is one of the most developed Asian countries. This country is one of the world's main suppliers of computer equipment, along with mighty China. It is located next to the most closed state in the world - the DPRK, or North Korea. The country was divided during a civil conflict, and so much time has passed since then that North and South Koreans can rightfully be considered different, albeit related, peoples.

Koreans believe that the founder of their country was the son of a woman and a bear.
Residents of South Korea, according to official data, have the most high level intelligence among the entire population of the Earth.
South Korea is home to the most visited Christian temple in the world - the Full Gospel Church receives about 20 thousand parishioners weekly.
South Korea is one of the five largest automakers in the world, and also ranks first in the construction of ships.
Employees national university Seoul were the first scientists to clone a dog.
There is room for more than two dozen national parks in South Korea.
The largest building on the Korean Peninsula is the residence of the President of South Korea, which is called the “Blue House”.
Video game competitions, like the concept of eSports itself, originated in South Korea.
Korea is the birthplace martial art taekwondo.
South Koreans are partial to alcohol; local cuisine even has a special “hangover soup” made with pork broth. Drinking alcoholic beverages is accompanied by a lot of conventions - for example, it is indecent to pour alcohol into your glass, and the older person in the group will certainly drink first.
South Koreans have an extremely negative attitude towards red ink - it is believed that if you write a person’s name in red, misfortune or even death awaits him in the near future. The reason for this superstition is that in the past the names of the dead were written in red on gravestones.
In South Korea, there is a special culture of handshakes, according to which you can only greet peers or friends with one hand, and to greet respected or older people, you need to use both hands and bow slightly.
In South Korea, private educational establishments, where the quality of education is very high. Parents of South Korean schoolchildren spend $17 billion annually on the education of their offspring. Teaching is a prestigious profession; a truly good teacher in a private school can earn several million a year.
Despite its apparent prosperity, South Korea has the highest suicide rate in the world.
The city of Suwon has an unusual amusement park entirely dedicated to toilets. You can visit this place for free.
Plastic surgery is very popular in South Korea - many parents give their daughters a trip to the surgeon as a graduation present. One of the latest fashion trends is the artificial lifting of the corners of the lips, which creates the illusion of a permanent light smile.
In South Korea they hold their own bullfights, but the bulls fight not with people, but with their own kind. The fight is considered over when one of the animals leaves the arena.
South Korean scientists have developed a special robot to combat jellyfish that interfere with fishing and recreation of tourists.
Almost the entire population of South Korea (90%) has some vision problems since birth.
South Koreans believe that a person's essence is closely related to his blood type. Based on this indicator, decisions are often made about the success or failure of a marriage.
South Korea has its own system for calculating a person's age - in this country it is customary to count the year a child spends in the womb, and then add age at each calendar change of year.
The most common Korean surname is Kim.
Korean Cha Sa Soon was able to pass the theoretical part of the driving license exam after 950 unsuccessful attempts. When she finally achieved success, she was 69 years old.

Do you know about South Korea? Well, at least the fact that the official name of this country is “Republic of Korea”, and only thanks to the media we have become accustomed to its unofficial name “South Korea”. You should definitely find out more about her!

Covering an area of just 100,210 km², this country, although small, is, as you will understand from our article, an amazing and unexpectedly diverse place that boasts many impressive achievements!

You may have heard about the country's highly efficient economy, cutting-edge technology and influential pop culture, but in reality, South Korea is more than just Samsung and Gangnam Style.

If you are interested in learning about this country, then keep reading because this post may open you up to South Korea in a way you never imagined. From an obsession with cosmetics to problems with the number “4” and fans, you will read these 25 interesting facts about the Republic of Korea in one sitting!

25. South Korean men are literally obsessed with cosmetics. They spend a lot of money on cosmetic products (especially makeup) to improve their appearance.

By the way, South Korean men occupy first place in the world in the list of consumers of cosmetic skin care products per capita, ahead of Denmark (which took second place) by 4 times!

24. When it comes to appearance and beauty, South Korea also ranks first in the world in the number of plastic surgeries per capita. The USA, for example, is in 4th place - after Brazil and Thailand.

23. South Korea has a very unusual approach to age. Every child born in the country is immediately considered one year old, and the next after birth New Year According to the lunar calendar, he is already 2 years old. Moreover, 100 days after birth, a grand celebration is organized for the baby.

22. The Republic of Korea is one of the most urbanized and densely populated countries in the world, but it also boasts amazing natural beauty.

For example, Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its magnificent cliffs and unique nature.

21. South Korea is a world leader in Internet quality, providing the highest average Internet connection speed today. Almost 92.4% of the population are Internet users.

20. The video with the famous song "Gangnam Style" by South Korean musician PSY became the first video on YouTube to reach 1 billion views.

19. South Korea is known for its distinctive cuisine, largely based on seafood, but few people know that more than 90% of the seaweed consumed in the world comes from the people of this country.

18. South Korea is known for its practice of "crime reenactment." Citizens suspected of crimes such as rape or murder are brought in handcuffs to the scene of the crime and ordered to publicly recount the events.

To make this procedure even more humiliating, media representatives are invited to photograph what is happening and publish details of this crime.

17. Most restaurants in South Korea (including fast food like McDonald's) provide food delivery services, carried out by motorcycle couriers who are notorious for almost always speeding to deliver orders on time.

After you finish your meal, you can simply leave the dirty dishes outside the door and the delivery driver will come pick them up later.

16. In South Korea, there is a common misconception known as “death by fan.” Many people in this country think that leaving a fan on all night indoors can cause death.

The origin of this misunderstanding is still unclear, but fear of this electrical device gripped South Koreans almost immediately after its first appearance in Korea in the 1920s.

15. The Seoul metropolitan area, known as the Seoul Capital Region, is home to more than 25 million people, making Seoul the third largest city in the world.

14. South Koreans love kimchi, a Korean traditional spicy side dish made from pickled (fermented) vegetables. There are about 250 different variations of this dish - from kimchi with cabbage to kimchi with radishes or cucumbers.

13. South Korea is the absolute world leader in alcohol consumption per capita - more than 11 shots per week (one shot ≈ 44 ml). This figure is twice that of Russia.

12. Although South Korea has a very high standard of living, suicide is a serious and widespread problem. In fact, the country has the second highest suicide rate in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

11. Despite its proximity to North Korea, a notorious aggressor, South Korea is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world. It captures extremely low level crime, and besides, it has very strict laws that practically exclude the possibility of purchasing weapons.

10. The color of a taxi in South Korea depends on the level of services provided. White or gray taxis are regular cars with skilled but potentially inexperienced drivers, while black taxis are luxury cars with experienced drivers.

9. Many South Koreans suffer from tetraphobia, an irrational fear of the number “4”. In hospitals and public buildings there is almost always no floor with this number. In other buildings, the fourth floor in elevators is sometimes indicated by the letter "F" instead of the number "4". They also try to avoid designations of apartment numbers containing more than one four (such as, for example, 404).

8. Just like the number 4 question, South Koreans are very superstitious when it comes to writing things in red. The color red in this country symbolizes death, and if you write someone's name in red, it will mean that you either want them dead or think that they will die soon.

7. Despite increasing controversy and criticism over the past few years, dog meat continues to be eaten in South Korea. This tradition, which dates back 2,000 years, still persists in the country, but as more and more South Koreans refuse to eat dogs, it may eventually disappear.

6. Until February 2015, adultery was illegal in South Korea for 62 years. Early last year, the country's Constitutional Court overturned a law that made treason a crime and considered a violation of the constitution.

5. Residents of Seoul are among the least sleep-deprived people in the world. On average, a resident of the capital sleeps less than 6 hours a day, which, along with residents of Tokyo, is the least in the world.

4. Every July, the city of Boryeong (200 km south of Seoul) hosts perhaps the world's largest Mud Festival.

During the festival, many different competitions, competitions and mud fights are organized, as well as mud massage sessions and mud treatments.

Founded in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival attracts millions of visitors to the city.

3. Many South Koreans believe that blood type reflects a person's personal qualities. They take it very seriously - just like Westerners who believe in horoscopes.

2. Samsung Corporation alone accounts for 20% of South Korea's $1.1 trillion economy. While most people think that Samsung only makes electronics, the company is also involved in construction, automobile manufacturing, armored vehicles, tankers, door locks, medical equipment, household chemicals, clothing and much more.

1. South Koreans prefer heated floors, called “ondol” (translated as “warm cavities”), to conventional heating devices. Heat is transferred through pipes located under the floor.

This heating system was invented during the Goguryeo Dynasty (37 BC - 668 AD), but remains very common today, heating more than 90% of homes in the country. Therefore, South Koreans often eat, sleep and watch TV on warm floors.

South Korea is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Asia is in love with Korean food, music and TV shows. Korea's influence on the region is comparable to that of China and Japan. In 2013, Boston Consulting Group named South Korea the most innovative country in the world.

This is not bad at all, considering the fact that South Korea has existed as a state since 1948. And this country is full of curious customs and interesting facts.

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Every person wants to be beautiful, South Koreans are no exception. According to a survey conducted in 2009, every fifth South Korean girl had plastic surgery. IN South Korea Having plastic surgery is quite common and, unlike in the Western world, getting plastic surgery is not considered something shameful.

Among the most popular plastic surgeries are facial surgeries. The ideal beauty of a South Korean woman is a face with a small, neat nose, a V-shaped chin and large eyes.

It is quite common for schoolgirls to undergo facial plastic surgery immediately after graduating from school. This usually comes in the form of parents rewarding their daughter for doing well in school. Even Miss South Korea 2012 does not hide the fact that she had plastic surgery.

Half of the women who undergo facial plastic surgery lose control over their facial expressions; they are simply paralyzed. Therefore, recently it has become fashionable to have surgery to change the corners of the mouth so that the face should now always appear smiling. Thus, a huge number of women in South Korea spreads out into constant smiles.

Often men also go under the knife. They say that appearance partly influences their career advancement. Men are very hardworking, so a professional career often comes first for them. Plus, they also don’t mind showing off their appearance. Among other things, South Korean men wear makeup quite often and this is considered normal.

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2. Theme amusement park. Toilets.

There are many different theme parks in the world, but South Korea and here I was able to surprise everyone. Proud Suwon is home to electronics giant Samsung, but that's not what the city is famous for. It is in Suwon that there is a toilet amusement park.

It was opened in honor of the former mayor of the city Shim Jae Duk, who seemed to be obsessed with toilets. He was even nicknamed Mister Toilet. He had a goal to provide people with hygienic toilets and take toilet maintenance to the next level. He founded the World Toilet Organization.

In 2007, with the light hand of the mayor, a building in the shape of a toilet was built, which after his death became a museum of toilets. And later this museum “expanded” into a theme amusement park. This park has everything related to toilets, from ancient potties and urinals to sculptures of people peeing and pooping. Entrance to the toilet park is free.

In my personal ranking of visited Asian countries, South Korea confidently took 1st place. We spent 3 wonderful months here, most of the time spent on a strawberry farm, where we helped through the workaway program to pick strawberries and make desserts from them (the best strawberries of my entire life). I'll leave a link to the farm , in case someone wants to come, I highly recommend this place. Conditions for arrival: the ability to stay for at least a month, the ability to speak English fluently, and a friendly character. Bonuses - meals, taekwondo lessons, badminton and various outings to eat and karaoke, and for those who stay for 2 months - a paid trip to Jeju Island.

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Russians can come to Korea without a visa for 60 days and then return for another 30 days (the rule for staying in the country is 90/180 days).

In this country, you often forget that you are in Asia, although it still has its own characteristics. Below I’ll tell you about things that seemed interesting, unusual, strange to us, or that we had to get used to.

Korean age. In Korea, there is a breakdown of Korean and international ages. Here, a child born on December 31st will be considered 2 years old the next day. The fact is that when a child is born, Koreans already believe that he is one year old, and on January 1, regardless of the date of birth, all residents of the country become a year older.
Here you can forget O familiar green or black tea. Even tea that will be labeled green on the packet will actually be a mixture of green with, for example, rice tea. Here you can also try a variety of strange teas, including pure onion tea.
Most Koreans are Catholics. Number of churches per square meter It's just overwhelming here.
If you've ever watched a Korean movie, you must have seen that in the movies they constantly eat ramen(instant noodles or doshirak). IN real life they eat it even more than in the movies. Even at a football match, a huge number of people can sit and munch on canned noodles.
Red color is considered “good”, green is considered “bad”. Those. “Danger” signs will most likely be written in green.
In Korea it is almost impossible to find anything with the inscription “Made in China”, as a rule, all products are stamped “Made in Korea”. And, in my opinion, this is very cool!
With English it's bad here, although its study is one of the most popular hobbies at the moment. Parents try to ensure that their children learn the language from an early age so that they can get a better job in the future. Even if it's not required at work English language, first of all, they will hire an employee who knows this language (though it is not clear why).
Korean was invented to supplant Chinese, which was (and is) much more complex than Korean and which was difficult for ordinary people to learn.
Light metro runs in some parts of Korea without drivers. This is space, although we have already seen this in Malaysia.
If you will be eating rice with a fork, most likely, someone will start laughing. If rice is not eaten with chopsticks, then it will be eaten with a spoon. The fork will seem strange to them.
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Foreigners there are not very many here and they really love them, but no one will rush to take pictures with you or try to take a discreet selfie with you, as they did in some other countries.
Farm sector receives government support (we received this information from the owners of the strawberry farm where we volunteered).
Food here it ranges from moderately spicy to “it’ll burn.”
One of the most popular dishes after a working day is chimek - fried chicken + beer. Well, don’t forget about kimchi - pickled vegetables (cabbage or radish); not a single meal is complete without this snack.
There is Russian language! Due to the fact that during the war between North and South Korea, many Koreans fled to the USSR, and now their children and grandchildren are returning to Korea, Russian speech and signs in Russian can be found quite often. In Busan, for example, there is even a Russian street.
It's very purely, and the culture of waste sorting and recycling is at a very high level.
IN Korean some crazy amount politeness styles. When speaking Korean, to choose the right form you always have to take into account many details, such as age, social status and God knows what else, but this is also necessary. Often the elder will be right. And period.
Saying hello, saying goodbye, thanking you, you always you bow. I adore this part of the culture and already bow with all my might in conversation and receive the same politeness in return. When we went to Hong Kong (you can talk about our trip), I used to bow in conversation, but this is not at all accepted there.
Samsung and only Samsung- the most popular brand in Korea, no iPhones. This country really supports its manufacturers, although this is not difficult, because Korean brands are truly high-quality (LG, KIA, HYUNDAI).
Using transport card, you will pay almost 2 times less for travel than when paying in cash (provided that you are traveling on more than one transport).
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The most popular sport is badminton. We also played badminton like adults, through a net. This is much more interesting than simply throwing a shuttlecock to each other, as it was in childhood.
Tomato here it is a fruit, so you can periodically see it in desserts, I even saw tomato ice cream. You can also see in the desserts red beans. They generally love her madly.
Korean cosmetics- this is love and advice to try it. It is high quality and affordable. Here I really fell in love with taking care of my skin; I take a whole suitcase of various products, masks and creams from the country.
K-POP culture and Korean dramas are deeply intertwined with the lives of ordinary Koreans. Hairstyles, clothing styles of actors and singers, as well as accessories are copied by almost everyone, so in Korea now most boys, young men and men wear bowl-shaped haircuts, while girls mostly wear loose long hair with or without bangs. Everyone's glasses are shaped like Harry Potter. Makeup - different shades of red lipstick. Grandmothers wear short hair and curls. Even in Korea, you won’t see not only bearded men, but even light stubble, only clean-shaven faces.
The most popular alcoholic drink is soju(about 20 degrees) - costs about 1 euro, while a can of beer costs from 2.5 euros and more. Wine and champagne are generally a wild luxury - from 10 euros and above. The most popular soft drink — coffee, which is sold here at every turn.
Despite the strict adherence to rules characteristic of Koreans, drivers They're not the best, they can run red lights, they ignore the fast lane, they don't always look both ways when making a maneuver.
Korea ranks 1st in the world in terms of quantity plastic surgery per capita, and medical tourism is a significant part of the country's income.
Korea is one of the top countries for sales cryptocurrencies(point from husband).
Even though Korea is located in Asia, fruit prices They bite a lot here (really, really).
When you jumping in the cold To keep warm, Koreans will stand quietly in sneakers and unbuttoned jackets, without hats. Apparently they are frost-resistant. We are not.

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Our results

Three months flew by very quickly, I can say that I didn’t breathe enough of Korea, but during this time we:

received a green belt in taekwondo (we studied with the Korean champion in taekwondo and his students);
learned several “vital” phrases, such as: strawberries are delicious, eat more, I’m smart, thank you, hello, beauty, soju, please;
went to Jeju Island;
visited the stadium where the FIFA World Cup was held in 2002, and also went to a football match in the Asian Champions League;
I ended up in a newspaper in the city of Gimhae and in a video about a strawberry farm, which was filmed by one of the three most popular channels in Korea, and my husband was published on the website of the administration of the city of Gimhae;
We went to Asian karaoke for the first time (when you sing in a separate room only with your group of friends) and it was divine. I found out that I have an excellent voice and that I don’t sing terribly, as I thought all my life (after I primary school I was kicked out of the choir);
I became the author of the home publishing house “Skrebeiko”, creating
saw the cherry blossoms;
I fell in love with Korea my whole life.

In this country there is a sense of care towards the population, even in the smallest details. When I left, I left here a piece of my heart that I already miss. I really hope that this is not our last visit to the country of Han (the old name of Korea).

Would you like to visit Korea? And if so, why?

P.S. My memories of Korea .

South Korea is a beautiful country with the richest cultural heritage. Today, the centuries-old wisdom of Taoism coexists with innovation. And, despite their love for the Western way of life, its inhabitants have retained many customs that are incomprehensible to us.

10 facts about South Korea: interesting and downright strange

She was once named one of the most promising in the field of innovation by a Boston consulting group. Agree, not bad for a state that has been on the world stage since 1948. It is curious that with such results the country does not lose its “interesting” traditions.

Alcohol. An interesting fact about South Korea is related to drinking alcohol - for them it is a fairly important part of the culture, helping to get to know each other better. Therefore, at least once a week, residents of the country always get together with friends to have a glass. Such gatherings even have their own name - hoesik. However, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, there are rules. For example, if the person pouring the drink is older, then you should hold the glass with both hands.
Red ink. Each society has its own superstitions: if Europeans bypass black cats, then residents of the Land of Morning Freshness hate red ink. They believe that a name written in this color will bring misfortune and even death to its owner. This unusual fact about South Korea is associated with ancient tradition. Previously, the name of the deceased was written in red on the tombstone, believing that this would scare away demons.
Proper handshake. When Bill Gates met with President Park Geun-hye, the country's residents were shocked by the American's behavior and gesture. The fact is that during the handshake, Bill's hand was in his pocket, which is unacceptable. Good manners and respect for the traditions of another country, despite the financial status, have always been held in high esteem. Therefore, if you encounter a Korean older than you, do it with both hands.
Education. Students and schoolchildren in Korea are very smart. According to statistics, 93% of students graduate from university, which puts the quality of education in the country second in the world. What is this connected with? Thanks to private institutions (hagwons), children have the opportunity to study many subjects, ranging from mathematics to belly dancing or taekwondo. On average, the country's parents spend up to $17 billion a year on their children's education. But this technique also has its drawbacks. Firstly, only rich families can afford education, while the poor are content with little. Secondly, classes at hagwons are held in the afternoon, which means that children attend school twice and come home tired.
Which is better: Japan or Korea? If there are many examples of friendly rivalry in the world (Australia - New Zealand) or warlike (India - Pakistan), then these Asian countries are the “golden mean”. Even if they don't point nuclear weapons at each other, relations between them are always tense. This fact about South Korea and Japan is due to the fact that in the past the latter had a bad habit of infiltrating the territory of the former. Decades later, the situation has, of course, changed, but Koreans believe that the Japanese have still not officially apologized.
Discussions about skirts. It's strange to see so many bare legs in a conservative country. But miniskirts are the norm in South Korea. Even a business woman can wear an outfit that barely covers her butt to a business meeting, and no one will regard this as vulgarity.
An amusement park with a toilet theme. There are many strange attractions in the world, but this place in South Korea literally outdoes them all. A park with an "interesting" theme located in the city of Suwanee has been opened in honor of the beloved ex-mayor, nicknamed Mr. Toilet. The official was obsessed with sanitation and his main goal was to provide the population with good toilets and teach them how to properly maintain them.
Plastic surgery. Everyone wants to be beautiful, especially South Koreans. According to the results of a survey conducted back in 2009, every fifth woman in the country has gone under the knife. Basically the requests are the same: V-shaped chin, small nose and big eyes.
Bullfights. No, we are not talking about a red rag or a bullfighter. Cattle Fight in Korea Ranchers are constantly on the lookout for good "fighters." More often they choose massive ones, with a thick neck and long horns. The fight ends when one bull leaves the arena. The winner receives a cash prize, and the loser goes to drown his sorrows in rice wine.
Terminator jellyfish. Perhaps the most interesting fact about South Korea, more reminiscent of a science fiction film script. The oceans are teeming with jellyfish, so a group of scientists created a robot specifically to combat them. Due to the invasion of marine animals, the country lost 300 million dollars, and in Sweden it was necessary to close a nuclear power plant. In this regard, the Koreans have created and are actively using terminator jellyfish that destroy real ones. Now the robot is capable of exterminating up to 900 kg of marine animals, but soon, according to scientists, the figure will reach 2000 kg.

Traditions and customs

The house is a sacred place, so special attention is paid to cleanliness, where dirt and, especially, disorder are completely unacceptable. It is customary to be indoors without shoes (barefoot) or, in extreme cases, in socks. If in summer the rule does not cause discomfort, then in winter additional heating is required. Therefore, when building houses they use modern technologies in the form of a heated floor.

Another interesting fact and custom of South Korea is associated with the ceremony of remembrance of ancestors - Chere. According to Korean belief, the soul does not leave immediately, but remains with the descendants for another 4 generations. Therefore, the deceased is also considered a member of the family and the Chere ceremony is performed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and death anniversary. Koreans also sincerely believe that if their ancestors bless them, then life will be happy.

The next interesting fact about South Korea is related to gestures. When you call someone over, raise your hand, palm down, and wave, moving your fingers. Never make this gesture with your palm up, much less with your index finger - only dogs are called that way in the country.

Facts that prove South Korea is beyond our understanding

Residents of the country are especially careful about oral hygiene, since dental services are very expensive. It is customary here to brush your teeth after every meal, and you can often find a brush in your handbag. In addition, in the restrooms of some establishments there is always a free disposable device for brushing teeth.

The next interesting fact about South Korea and Koreans is based on statistics. Many residents are myopic, so they wear glasses or contacts since childhood. This fact gives the impression that they are all born with poor eyesight. But that's not true. As mentioned earlier, Koreans are very smart and spend most of their time studying, immersed in their favorite gadgets. It is worth noting that not everyone is concerned about the disease. For example, Lim Dong Hyun (two-time Olympic champion) sees only 20% of normal. But the irony is that a man is participating in an archery competition!

Korean cosmetics have long captivated Western and domestic fashionistas, but here everyone uses it, regardless of gender or age. Korean women carefully monitor the appearance of their hair and skin, so they buy an incredible amount funds. They never go out without makeup. Young Koreans also care about their appearance. It is almost impossible to see a man with a sloppy or disheveled hairstyle on the street.

Contrary to popular belief, few people in South Korea have tried dog meat. Moreover, a movement to abandon the traditional dish is gaining popularity in the state. There was widespread support from young people who had been brought up to treat animals as friends. By the way, public policy also discourages the consumption of dog meat.

Now about In any city in the world, there are cafes, bars and restaurants at every turn, but the speed of service in Korea is simply amazing. The order is delivered literally within 10 minutes, and some establishments even send delivery people again to pick up dirty dishes. Here, instead of the usual “How are you?” They will ask you, “Did you eat well?”, and skipping any meal for a Korean is akin to a sin.

Let's talk about sexual touching. If in Europe two men holding hands are considered representatives of the LGBT movement, then in Korea everything is different. Society is extremely disapproving of a couple of opposite sexes demonstrating feelings in public. But playing with hair or sitting on a friend's lap is quite acceptable for men.

Korea is the cradle of eSports. At the beginning of the 2000s, the computer game Star Craft turned into a real cult. Esports players are real stars. Thousands of fans come to meet them, and stadiums with large screens are allocated for the games. And this, in turn, is another interesting fact about South Korea: a computer game is a real sport, for which players spend many sleepless nights while training.

And a few words about mandatory conscription. According to the law, every Korean must undergo 21 months of military training. This iron rule is observed regardless of the social status of the resident. Only those who are incompetent and those who defend the honor of the country in the international arena can excuse themselves. For example, from military service Footballers Ki Sun-young (Swansea) and Park Ji-sung (Manchester United) were released.

Start of a relationship

If in Russia and in many other countries first love is most often met at school, then in the Land of Morning Freshness this is more difficult. An interesting fact about life in South Korea is that for every child, school always comes first. And if hyperactive children manage to start relationships at school, then for the rest there is simply no time for amorous affairs - from 9 to 5 classes, then electives, tutors, classes... When to fall in love?

But when you enter university, everything changes. Studying is not so hard, so many students live for their own pleasure: on Fridays they get together with a group and drink soju, join hobby groups and clubs. Exactly this best time, because after graduation, almost all of them will work from morning to late evening for many years.

Therefore, romantic relationships among young Koreans begin during their university studies.

What then

Continuing the story, here are a few facts about South Korea related to further development:

The first date is already the beginning of the relationship, and after the meeting ends, the guy and the girl “officially” become a couple. In addition, she always comes to the meeting with an older friend in order to look advantageous against her background.
After a while, "witnesses" are not needed and lovers can walk around holding hands, but kissing and hugging in public is inappropriate in Korea.
Another trend for couples is the same style. The phenomenon is called Couple Look - clothing stores make good money from it.
An important date for lovers is the hundredth day from the date of their meeting. Girls expect from guys not flowers and sweets, but designer jewelry, clothes, cosmetics, shoes, and bags. According to one Korean blogger, a gift costs an average of $800.
To move on to a closer relationship, the couple must date for at least a year.

Family matters

It's time to learn the facts about relationships in South Korea.

Home warms hearts, and every person should have a family. The opinion of the oldest family member is dominant. Not a single South Korean would dare to create a new family without the consent of the older generation and parental blessing. Of course, now freedom of action is much wider, but neither a boy nor a girl can do without the guidance of a mother and father. Excessive parental control, on the contrary, is welcome.

The main priorities are inextricably linked with the family hearth. Previously, several generations of relatives lived together in traditional small houses. But times are changing, and they have been replaced by spacious apartments. The only thing that has remained unchanged is the statutory rules.

When meeting parents, names are not mentioned - only “mom” and “dad”. This treatment is connected with another interesting fact about South Korea. According to legend, the meaning of the name, having great weight, influences fate, making a person more vulnerable. Therefore, residents of the Asian country rarely give their names.

Family relationships in South Korea have always been characterized by mutual respect and understanding. Despite the fact that a woman has the same rights as a man, the responsibilities between spouses are clearly delineated.

The wife is responsible for coziness and comfort, keeps the hearth, resolves disagreements, and the man, being the head, ensures the existence of the family. However, despite his authority, he never interferes in home improvement issues and conflict resolution. Even in the most difficult situation, the husband always remains on the sidelines.

About children

Another interesting fact about South Korea is related to the birth of a child. Since the country has a unique calendar, the baby is born at the age of one. This is due to the fact that the child spends 9 months (almost a year) in the mother’s womb. But that's not all. On the first New Year (January 1), another one is added to the baby. Thus, the children here are as much as 2 years older than their actual age.

To combat discrimination, the government passed a law according to which both son and daughter are considered equal heirs, therefore the attitude towards the gender of the child is neutral. But Confucian traditions were still preserved. According to this, special attention is paid to the eldest.

The world of show business

For many years the country was famous for its "slave contracts". This fact about South Korea is related to the popular mainstream K-pop. For example, a former member of the group Super Junior said in 2009 that the owners of SM Entertainment did not allow him to go on sick leave when he was diagnosed with gastritis and kidney problems.

And this is not the only such case. Major labels justify their actions by saying that if a young performer really wants to become popular, he must overcome all difficulties - sleep no more than 4 hours a day, not start a relationship while the contract is valid, not go on sick leave, and much more.

Bad number "4"

An interesting fact about South Korea, based on superstition. Residents have a “special” attitude towards the four. The problem is that the transcription of the number 4 is consonant with the word death.

Superstition has reached the point that in buildings after the third floor there is immediately a fifth. It's not even in hospitals. Agree, few Koreans would want to be treated on a floor called “death,” especially if the disease is dangerous.

In some elevators the "4" button is replaced with English letter F (four). However, in everyday speech the number four sounds without exception.

Let's go back to the past

And finally, I would like to give a few historical facts about South Korea:

“Taehan Minguk” 대한 민국 - this is what the residents call the country, but most often the abbreviation Hanguk, and sometimes Namhan, is used in conversation.
The word "Korea" comes from the name of the state "Koryo", which existed in 918-1392.
The history of North and South Korea began in 1945, when the Soviet-American agreement was signed. According to the agreement, the first came under the jurisdiction of the USSR, and the second - the United States.
Although it lasted until 1953, official announcement there was no end to hostilities.
The older generation of Koreans does not like the Japanese, since the colonization policy of the Land of the Rising Sun has not yet been forgotten.