Top 10 Weirdest Things About South Korea

 While the world mainly knows South Korea for its entertainment industry (incl. K-dramas and K-pop), massive technology industry (such as Samsung, LG or Hyundai), or for its infamous neighbour North Korea, there is a lot more fun facts to discover! South Korea is a unique country in itself, with its stunning nature, delicious food, trendy fashion, and some of the most unique cultural aspects which will definitely leave you surprised.

1.     A lot of Koreans are shopaholic. While Korean societal pressures make people extremely stressed about achieving high grades and building a good career, to many, shopping becomes the best way to relieve the stress and become a little more carefree. No wonder a lot of the fashion stores and shopping malls are open as late (or as early) as 4am!

2.     Getting a plastic surgery is highly acceptable in South Korea. Not only it is ‘acceptable’, but it is something that a lot of the people have done or considered. The most common procedures are nose jobs, double eyelid surgeries, chin and jaw reductions and more. Gangnam is particularly famous for its plastic surgery clinics, and thus, you’ll see the advertisements for the clinics everywhere, including trains, metro stations, billboards, you name it! With practice comes perfection, thus medical tourism has skyrocketed in the last few years with people from all around the world coming here to improve themselves and re-gain their self-esteem.

3.     Men wear make-up too. While in the West makeup is seen as primarily something only women use, however, in South Korea the tables turn. Since the social norms to look pretty are rather high in South Korea, various make-up brands promote make up for both males and females. And it is not just the idols and actors we are talking about, more than 20% of the male population in Korea wear make-up, rounding up to an overall expenditure of USD 900 million a year.

4.     Say ‘Kimchi!’. Not only it is the main side dish available with every meal in South Korea, it is also a word that Koreans use when taking photos. However, we cannot really blame them as kimchi tastes just so delicious… Wondering, would it be alright to compare kimchi with cheese?

5.     Having a beard might stop you from getting a job offer. Ever wondered why none of the K-pop stars have a beard? Actually, a lot of Koreans believe that men with beard are dirty and unhygienic, making them less desirable as the romantic partners too. Not only that, but having a beard (no matter how well-groomed it might be), could act as a potential drawback in getting a job too.

6.     You can find sexual organs freely displayed in the public gardens. Before you think anything else, the sexual organs are the famous sculptures located in either Haesindang Park or the Loveland in Jeju island. Visiting either of the two parks requires one to have a good sense of humour and an open mind for sure. It will definitely be a trip like no other! However, highly unadvisable to bring the children there…

7.     Love motels and DVD rooms. Since the rent in Seoul and Korea itself is rather high, a lot people live with their parents till their late 20s. Thus, couples wanting some privacy embrace the love motels and DVD rooms. While in the West motels seem like dirty places, however, in South Korea, the motels are hygienic and clean, and vary greatly in style and luxuriousness. For those not wanting to spend the night away, DVD rooms work as a better option, as they can cuddle up on the coach while watching a movie or two in a private room.

8.     Crime recreation. If you are a fan of crime and thriller shows, then this one is for you. In South Korea, a criminal accused of rape or murder might be asked by law to recreate their crime in public. This can be watched by the general public and media, damaging criminal’s reputation for good (in both senses).

9.     Dogs on a dinner table. This is often exaggerated in the West, as people assume that everyone in Korea eats dogs. Well, this is actually not the case, as the act itself is becoming more controversial and you would have to really do your research to find a restaurant selling dog meat. While dog meat has been part of Korean culture for ages, now, there are more people visiting dog cafes to play with the dogs rather than eat them.

10.  There are certain rules one must obey when drinking in South Korea. While you can legally enjoy alcohol in the public spaces, however, there are certain social norms that one must follow. One shall not pour oneself a drink and your drinking partners should watch out for your glass to be always full. Also, when drinking with someone older than you, one must look away when raising your glass to your mouth. If you are working in an office in Korea, it is almost impossible to say no to company’s social nights, where drinking is a must. However, with a huge drinking culture that there is, Korea has invented not only the hangover drinks, but also hangover soups and hangover ice cream too.

While there are many more unique cultural differences between South Korea and the Western cultures, we chose our TOP 10 to get you started. Did you know all of the facts mentioned above? Which one has surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments section below!

Author: Raimonda Kekyte