Growing up in Korea, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate web of superstitions that seem to govern everything from when we cut our nails to what we eat before exams. These aren’t just random beliefs – they’re deeply rooted cultural practices that have shaped Korean society for centuries. Today, I’ll briefly list some of...
Have you ever wondered why a Korean partner might politely decline when offered sneakers as a birthday gift?Behind this action lies something much deeper than simple preference—it reflects a profound cultural belief. In Korean culture, giving shoes as a gift is believed to cause the recipient to walk away from your life. This superstition isn’t...
Hello! Today, I’d like to introduce miyeok-guk, a traditional Korean seaweed soup that may be unfamiliar to many foreigners.It’s well known that this dish is commonly eaten in Korea and Japan, but it isn’t widely consumed in most other countries.Let’s take a closer look together! Picture this: it’s your birthday in Korea, and instead of...
Ever noticed something odd while staying in a Korean hotel? You take the elevator and suddenly realize there’s no 4th floor button – it jumps straight from 3 to F or 5. Welcome to one of Korea’s most persistent cultural phenomena: the fear of the number 4, known as tetraphobia. This isn’t just a quirky...
If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama, you might have noticed characters obsessing over age differences. A 20-year-old calling someone who’s just months older “oppa” or “unnie” – it seems pretty intense, right? Well, there’s actually a fascinating reason behind this cultural quirk, and it all comes down to how Koreans traditionally counted age. But...