Curated guides, cultural insights, and news updated regularly.
What is Arirang
Arirang is the most well-known traditional song in Korea, passed down through generations.
What kind of song is it
In Korea, it is common to see small stacks of stones in mountains or along trails.
What it means
Making a wish Hoping for good luck A simple, personal ritual
In Korea, the number 7 is often written differently.
A short line is added through the middle of the number 7.
Because of this, it can look different from the way 7 is written in other countries.
In Korea, it is common to wrap food in vegetables before eating.
What Is Ssam?
Ssam is a way of eating where meat, rice, and side dishes are wrapped together in leafy vegetables.
In Korea, most public restrooms are free to use.
Where Can You Find Them?
Public restrooms are easy to find in many places.
Subway stations Parks Large buildings Commercial areas
In Korea, people do not wear shoes inside the house.
Why Do People Take Off Their Shoes?
To keep the home clean Because of a floor-based lifestyle
The inside of a home is considered a clean space, separate from the outside.
Does “Let’s have a meal sometime (밥 한 번 먹자)” mean a real plan
The Korean phrase “밥 한 번 먹자” (bap han beon meok-ja) literally means “let’s have a meal sometime.”
However, it does not always refer to a specific plan.
What it usually means
Does “ani~ (아니)” mean “no”
“Ani” literally means “no,” but when it is used at the beginning of a sentence, it functions differently.
How it is used
The phrase “아니~” (ani~) is commonly used:
Why people ask about your zodiac sign
In Korea, instead of asking your age directly,
people sometimes ask, “What’s your zodiac sign?”
This is a way to figure out your age indirectly....
Relationships in Korea are often based on birth year
In Korea, even if people are close in age, relationships are often defined by birth year.
People born in the same year are usually considered friends,
while a one-year difference can place someone in an older or younger role.
But there’s a situation called being born early in the year
There’s a concept often referred to as being “born early in the year.” (빠른년생)
People born in January or February sometimes went to school with those born in the previous year....
In Korea, when people talk about their age, they often clarify how they’re counting it.
For example,
“I’m 25. That’s my international age.” “I’m 27 in Korean age.”
It’s natural to say which system they’re using.
More than one system is used
The most common system today is the one used worldwide.
Your age increases on your birthday....
You might hear this question right after meeting someone for the first time.
“How old are you?”
It can feel a bit surprising. In many countries, this is considered a personal question.
But in Korea, it’s natural.
It’s one of the most common ways to start a conversation.
Age helps people understand each other
In Korea, age is more than just a number....
When you visit N Seoul Tower , there’s one thing that immediately stands out.
You’ll see countless love locks .
They are attached to railings and fences all around the area.
Where can you find them?...
There are several ways to get to N Seoul Tower .
You can walk, take the cable car, or take a bus.
What is the cable car like?
The Namsan cable car is one of the fastest ways to get up....
When you’re in Seoul, there’s a tower you’ll notice almost everywhere.
It’s N Seoul Tower. (남산타워)
Its official name is N Seoul Tower, but it’s often still called Namsan Tower.
You can spot it from a distance, and it sits right in the center of the city....
When you look at a typical drinking scene in Korea, one thing stands out.
People rarely drink without food. There is almost always something to eat alongside it.
What is “anju” (안주)?
In Korean, food eaten with alcohol is called “anju.”
This doesn’t refer to a specific type of dish. Any food eaten while drinking can be considered anju.
Pairing comes first
In Korea, what you eat with your drink can feel just as important as the drink itself....
When you hear people talk about working in Korea, you’ll often come across the word “hoesik.” (회식)
It refers to a gathering where coworkers spend time together after work, usually over a meal or drinks.
What kind of gathering is it?
A hoesik is a group meal with people from the same team.
It usually starts with dinner, and depending on the situation, drinks may follow.
What it used to be like
In the past, hoesik often revolved around drinking....
When you hear people talk about drinking in Korea, you might come across a phrase like this:
“I went to the third round last night.”
At first, it’s not immediately clear what that means.
How people actually say it
In Korean, people describe this like this:
“1차 (il-cha)” “2차 (i-cha)” “3차 (sam-cha)”
For example:...
There are several royal palaces in Seoul.
At first, they might look similar, but once you visit them, each one feels quite different.
That’s why it can be hard to decide where to go.
A quick overview...
There are several royal palaces in Seoul, but Gyeonghuigung Palace is less well known.
Because of that, it tends to be quieter and less crowded than the others.
What makes it different
Compared to other palaces, fewer original buildings remain....
There are several royal palaces in Seoul, but Changgyeonggung Palace feels a bit different.
When you first enter, it can feel more like a park than a traditional palace.
Right next to Changdeokgung
Changgyeonggung is located right next to Changdeokgung Palace ....
When you think of a palace in central Seoul, Deoksugung Palace often comes to mind.
It has a slightly different atmosphere compared to the other palaces.
A palace in the middle of the city
Deoksugung is located among modern buildings....
There are several royal palaces in Seoul, but Changdeokgung Palace feels a bit different.
When you visit, it feels quieter than expected, and more connected to nature.
Why does it feel different?
Changdeokgung wasn’t built first and then decorated....
When you look at a typical drinking scene in Korea, you might notice something a bit unusual.
People mix soju and beer together in one glass.
This is called somaek .
What kind of combination is it?
Somaek is a mix of soju and beer.
The name itself is simple. It comes from combining the words “soju” and “maekju” (beer in Korean).
Why do people mix them?...
In Korea, there’s another drink that feels quite different from soju. It’s called makgeolli. (막걸리)
At first glance, it might not even look like alcohol. It can look more like milk or yogurt.
What kind of drink is it?
Makgeolli is a fermented rice drink. It has a cloudy appearance and sometimes a slight natural fizz....
When you go out for drinks in Korea, there’s one thing you’ll almost always see. It’s soju .
What’s interesting is that this isn’t just a popular drink in Korea. It’s part of one of the best-selling distilled spirits brands in the world .
But in Korea, it’s not treated as anything special. It’s just the “default” drink.
What kind of drink is it?
Soju is a clear distilled liquor. It usually has an alcohol content of around 16–20%.
It used to be stronger in the past, but the alcohol level has gradually gone down.
This make...
Korean drinking etiquette may seem complicated at first, but you only need to know a few key things.
You don’t have to memorize everything. Just remember: “in this situation, do this.”
When receiving a drink
If someone pours a drink for you, hold your glass with both hands.
You can also hold the glass with one hand and lightly support it with the other near your chest.
This is a way of showing respect.
When pouring a drink...
In Korean dating, you’ll often hear the word “mildang.” (밀당) The word comes from two actions: “pushing” and “pulling.”
It describes a pattern where someone shows interest but also pulls back a little.
This kind of behavior isn’t unique to Korea. You can find it anywhere. But in Korea, it’s commonly explained with one specific word: mildang .
You might recognize this situation
Someone replies quickly, then suddenly takes hours. They seem interested, then a bit distant.
But they don’t disappear completely. They come back...
