A small land with a grand story – Korea.
Introduction – A Curious Question “Why do Koreans always say ‘Let’s eat together’?” – First Impressions of Korean Dining CultureA friend new to Korea once asked, “Why do people here always invite you to eat together? Is it really that important?” At first, it seemed like a polite phrase—but soon, he discovered the heart of … 더 읽기
Introduction – A Surprising Moment “Wait, the students clean the classroom themselves?”That was the reaction of an exchange student seeing a typical end-of-day routine in a Korean school. As classes ended, students pulled out mops and dustpans. In Korea, this is just normal. The Korean school cleaning culture goes beyond tidiness—it’s a way for students … 더 읽기
Introduction – A Surprising Situation “Please leave it at the door.”My foreign friend was puzzled the first time they saw this note. No face-to-face contact when receiving a package? In Korea, it’s just normal. Korean delivery culture reflects a unique Korean lifestyle that balances speed with thoughtful consideration. First Encounter – Cultural Shock When they … 더 읽기
When foreigners first travel in Korea, one of the most surprising things isn’t a temple or a dish—it’s the Korean subway system. What seems like a simple transport network quickly reveals itself to be a futuristic, comfortable, and deeply cultural experience. Let’s explore 7 reasons why the Korean subway feels like something out of a … 더 읽기
Why Do Koreans Fry So Much Food on Holidays? (Korean holiday food) When Korean holidays approach, the air fills with the smell of oil and sizzling sounds from the kitchen. Mothers wear aprons, ingredients are neatly stacked, and someone is always flipping something in a frying pan. To foreign eyes, this might just look like … 더 읽기
Why So Many Meal Scenes in K-Dramas? (Korean food culture) If you watch Korean dramas, there’s one scene you’ll see again and again: people sitting around a table, sharing food. Sometimes it’s filled with laughter, sometimes with tears—and often with tension. As a foreign viewer, I found myself wondering, “Why are there so many scenes … 더 읽기
Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age First? (Korean age culture) “Which year were you born?” That was one of the first questions I heard in Korea, and I froze for a moment. In many Western countries, people usually ask about your name, job, or hobbies first—but here, age came before anything else. At first, it … 더 읽기
Introduction – Soup for Breakfast on Your Birthday? On my first birthday in Korea, my roommate placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of me.A clear, dark-green broth with floating strands of seaweed. I was surprised by its unique flavor and texture, but more than anything, I felt comforted.I soon learned that in Korean … 더 읽기
Introduction – Adults Relaxing in a Kids’ Playroom? When a Korean friend first invited me to a “kids cafe,” I pictured chaos: slides, toys, and nonstop noise. But what I actually found flipped my expectations completely.A sleek, clean interior, a full coffee menu, and even reclining chairs where parents were relaxing—it was nothing like what … 더 읽기
Introduction – Just Lifting a Soju Bottle? When I was first invited to a Korean drinking party, it wasn’t the green bottle of soju that left the strongest impression.It was the silent but sincere gesture of pouring each other’s drinks that caught my heart.Korean soju culture felt less like casual drinking and more like an … 더 읽기