Eleven Facts About Korea You Might Not Know
1. Half of South Koreans share the same three surnames
You might have noticed that a surprising number of South Korean people are named either Kim, Park or Lee. Does this mean they are all related? Of course not. The reasons for this go very far back in history, all the way back to the Silla kingdom (57 BCE – 935 CE) and are tied to their relations with China and Japan, which weren’t quite so peaceful. Statistics show that throughout the whole population, only around 250 surnames are currently in use (compared to the 100.000 in most similarly sized countries), with Kim being the most common surname.
2. Number 4 is considered unlucky
Given the similarity of the pronunciation between the word for the number 4 and the word for “death”, in South Korea 4 is considered to bring bad luck. Just as you might not find a number 13 bed in a western hospital, in many Korean buildings you won’t find a button for the fourth floor on the elevator, it will be marked as “F” instead. Not everyone shares this superstition though, while it’s rather common between older generations, many younger people don’t have such strong feelings about number 4.
3. They celebrate two different New Year’s Days
While most other Asian countries either celebrate the Lunar new year according to the Chinese calendar or adopt the traditional western New Year’s Day, in South Korea they celebrate the new year both times. January 1st is generally regarded as a more relaxed and casual holiday, spent with immediate family. They also exchange cards, very similar to the ones we use for Christmas. The other celebration, however, lasts three whole days, and is celebrated much more noisily, usually according to the Chinese Lunar calendar.
4. The world’s oldest astronomical observatory is in Korea
In Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Korea, visitors can find the ancient tower of Cheomseongdae. While it might not look like an outstanding landmark, the monument has been standing there since the 7th century. Built during the Silla kingdom, by order of Queen Seondeok, Cheomseongdae is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in the whole world and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, along with other historical sites in Gyeongju. Although the structure has remained mostly intact for the last 1300 years, its detailed use is still not fully understood.
5. It’s one of the biggest economies in the world
It’s quite fascinating how this country has risen from war and poverty, and become one of the major economies in the world. The South Korean economy is now ranked at the 11th largest economy in the world and the 4th in Asia.
6. Kim, Lee, and Park are the most common Korean names
If you guess that a South Korean is named Kim, you have a 20% chance that you’re right. At least 20% of the population is named Kim. Lee and Park are another two common names.
7. Cherry blossom can be seen in plenty in South Korea
Japan is famous for its cherry blossom, and it’s quite funny because South Korea has a great share of the wonderflower as well. If you want to escape some of the crowds in Japan, then you should come here during Cherry blossom season instead.
8. There are 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites
This is also a country full of history, and with history often come interesting World Heritage Sites. South Korea has a total of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some of the most famous include Changdeokgung Palace Complex, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong, and Gyeongju Historic Areas.
9. There’s an annual mud festival
Every summer, for 14 days, there is a mud festival in Boryeong. The final weekend of the festival is normally on the second weekend in July, and this is where most people attend the festival. It’s very popular among the western population of the country, but many locals attend as well. The festival started as a commercial stunt to sell cosmetic products containing mud from the area.
10. The Korean Alphabet Is Called Hangul
If you wanna start learning the Korean language, learning the alphabet called Hangul or Hangeul should be the first thing you know. It is the easiest East Asian language to learn because it is actually made, not emerged. It is invented by Sejong the Great. Every year they celebrate Korean Alphabet Day, also known as Hangeul Day, to commemorate the creation of their alphabet.
11. South Korea Is A Haven For Technology
When it comes to technology, South Korea is also at the top of the list. Smartphones, gadgets, and even appliances are always advanced and on-trend. The biggest technology company like Samsung is from South Korea, so it’s not a surprise that it’s a haven for technology. Even in K-dramas, they never fail to feature their gadgets and technology except when it’s a traditional series.
