Think You Know Korea? Think Again.

  • Publish date: Sunday، 23 March 2025
Related articles
Your Love and Relationship Horoscope for June 19th, 2024
Your Love and Relationship Horoscope for July 19th, 2024
Your Love and Relationship Horoscope for May 19th, 2024

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make about Korea — especially when they're not familiar with the country or its culture:


🇰🇷 1. Confusing North Korea with South Korea

  • Reality: South Korea (Republic of Korea) is a democratic, technologically advanced country, while North Korea (DPRK) is a closed, authoritarian regime.

  • Mistake: Some people lump them together or think South Korea is unsafe due to North Korea’s actions — it’s not.


🗣️ 2. Thinking everyone speaks English

  • Reality: While many South Koreans study English, fluency varies, especially outside big cities. Cultural context is key in communication.


🍱 3. Assuming Korean food is only spicy or just BBQ

  • Reality: Korean cuisine is incredibly diverse — from mild dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to fermented classics like kimchi, and street food like tteokbokki.


👘 4. Calling Korean traditional clothing “kimono”

  • Reality: That’s Japanese. In Korea, it’s called Hanbok — and it has a distinct design, history, and cultural significance.


🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️ 5. Misunderstanding hierarchy and age importance

  • Reality: Age and seniority are very important in Korean culture — it influences how people speak (honorifics), behave, and even socialize.


💬 6. Thinking all Korean media is just K-pop and K-dramas

  • Reality: While K-pop and dramas are popular, Korea has a vibrant film, literature, gaming, and indie scene that goes beyond global hits like BTS or Squid Game.


🛐 7. Assuming Korea is a Buddhist country

  • Reality: Korea is religiously diverse — with significant populations of Christians, Buddhists, and non-religious people.


🏯 8. Expecting traditional architecture everywhere

  • Reality: While temples and palaces exist, modern Korean cities are full of high-rise apartments, neon-lit streets, and cutting-edge architecture.


📍9. Assuming Seoul is the only place to visit

  • Reality: Cities like Busan, Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island offer very different vibes and rich cultural experiences.


🧖‍♂️ 10. Not knowing about Korean spa culture

  • Reality: Jjimjilbangs (Korean saunas) are a big part of the local lifestyle — communal, family-friendly, and full of wellness rituals.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here