For decades, South Korea has remained one of the most popular destinations for travelers from all parts of the world. Unique culture, boy bands, great cuisine, and hospitable people make the Land of the Morning Calm a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. And who knows, maybe even stay there for longer?
In this article, we want to share eight interesting facts about this beautiful country. And to prepare for the trip, you can research เว็บพนันออนไลน์ในเกาหลี and maybe even make a few friends with the locals!
1. There’s still a war between North and South Korea
Korea is separated into two stand-alone countries: South Korea (the Republic of Korea) and North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Everything started in 1950 with the Korean War and since 1953 there’s been a ceasefire that followed the truce agreement. People no longer feel the tension of war, especially in South Korea but the war is not officially over.
2. Wi-Fi is almost everywhere
The next fact is great news for tourists – in South Korea, you will find free and stable internet almost anywhere. Coffee shops, museums, bus stations, malls, libraries, and other public places are equipped with fast Wi-Fi and you can use it without a password. Perfect for those who don’t have a local SIM card or people who work remotely.
3. At birth, South Koreans are one year older
When a South Korean child is born, they are already considered one year old. This system dates back to the Chinese numeral system that has been used in South Korea for ages. In addition, locals also age on New Year’s Eve, so a person who was born on the same day and year as you, might actually be considered two years older. To avoid confusion, many South Koreans name their ‘local age’ and ‘international age’.
4. Kimchi is a national treasure
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables, mainly napa cabbage and Korean radish. This spicy dish is so popular across the world that even Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, has a special kimchi recipe. Did you know that there are more than 200 officially documented types of this dish? And each type has its own distinct flavor. Kimchi is not only a separate dish but is often used in burgers, pancakes, and pizzas!
5. Half of the locals have one of the three surnames
More than half of South Koreans share one of the three most popular surnames – Park, Lee, or Kim. The reason goes back to the Silla Kingdom and its tight relations with Japan and China. While similar-sized countries have around 100,000 surnames, South Korea has only 250. But this doesn’t mean that all these people are relatives.
6. South Koreans love booze
What you might not know is that South Korea is one of the leading consumers of alcohol. So if you don’t mind having a drink or two, South Korea with its exotic collections of beverages and wines is exactly what you were looking for. It is allowed to drink alcohol in public which greatly contributes to the widespread use of this hobby. The most popular drink in Soju, a colorless beverage similar to Vodka.
7. Asking about blood type is not surprising
“What is your blood type?” is one of the most common questions you will hear in South Korea. The thing is that locals believe that blood type greatly pre defines your personality, so getting the answer to this question actually helps them get to know you faster. Personality blood charts with specific traits originated from South Korea.
8. Black Day – a day for single people
South Korea has a special day for singles. It is celebrated each year on the 14th of April and is called Black Day. South Koreans dress up in black, gather at public places, eat a special dish of noodles with black bean paste, and drink.
Conclusion
The history of the Korean nation began around 700,000 years ago but till this time it is full of wonders and curiosities. The eight facts above are only the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much more to learn about South Korea. Once you step foot there, you might not even want to return home. Trust us, we’ve been there!
