Fascinating Insights into South Korean Culture

In contrast to Vietnam, South Koreans don't heavily rely on superstitions. However, they are deeply intrigued by blood types.

South Koreans believe that blood type determines one's personality. Simply knowing your blood type allows them to make assumptions about you. While this belief originated from Japan, it has deeply permeated South Korean culture, even influencing partner selection.

They think that one's blood type reflects their tendencies and character traits. Type A individuals are seen as worriers, AB types are outgoing and combative, type O individuals are friendly and sociable, while type B individuals are perceived as indifferent, opportunistic, and untrustworthy. This belief helps individuals identify their strengths and weaknesses for self-improvement.

There's a saying among Koreans that if you drop a stone from the peak of Namsan Mountain, it will hit someone with the last name Kim or Lee. According to a report from 1985, out of over 40 million South Koreans, 46% share the same last name. 'Kim' tops the list, followed by Lee, Park, Choi, and Chung.

Statistically, for every 5 Koreans, one will have the last name Kim, and for every 10, one will have the last name Park. Together, individuals with the last names Kim, Lee, and Park make up nearly half of South Korea's population.

This phenomenon stems from the feudal era when only nobles were allowed to have surnames while commoners weren't permitted. It wasn't until the 10th century, during the reign of King Taejo of Goryeo, that surnames were bestowed as rewards for loyalty. Lee and Kim were prominent families in the royal court, so people often chose these surnames. Consequently, the occurrence of identical surnames became increasingly common.

When watching Korean movies, it's common to see Koreans using seaweed on birthdays, which is a unique tradition here. Seaweed soup contains many health benefits, especially iodine.

Therefore, pregnant women often consume seaweed soup for three consecutive months to detoxify, reduce hair and tooth loss, and increase breast milk production. Due to its multifunctional properties, seaweed soup has become a symbol of gratitude and respect for mothers who endure childbirth pains. Thus, seaweed soup is an indispensable dish for birthdays and a beautiful aspect of Korean culture.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish and a symbol of the country's cuisine. It's not only popular in Korea but also renowned worldwide for its unique flavor. Currently, there are nearly 250 types of kimchi in South Korea.

Don't think only cabbage can be made into kimchi; common types here include cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, cucumber kimchi, and water kimchi.

The national flag of South Korea features a highly distinctive design, symbolizing the Eastern philosophical concept of yin and yang, with a circle in the center dividing the flag into two equal parts.

The red portion at the top represents the preceding cosmic power of yang, while the blue portion below represents the cosmic power of yin. The four corners surrounding the circle symbolize the four cosmic elements: heaven, water, fire, and earth. The white background symbolizes the purity and aspiration for peace of the Korean people.

Due to its cold climate, houses in South Korea are uniquely designed to suit the local weather conditions. The floor is the main living area for people, used for activities such as eating, sleeping, and resting. Therefore, Koreans have long devised a method of installing underfloor heating systems.

The area closest to the heating system is the warmest and is reserved for the elderly. In the summer, houses are cooled using air circulation systems. Korean-style houses often have few doors and walls. When closed, a door acts as a wall, and when open, it allows airflow to circulate throughout the living space.

Similar to their belief in blood types, South Koreans also hold deep religious convictions. The country is home to various religions such as Shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and more.

It's not uncommon to see illuminated crosses at night belonging to Christians or Falun Gong practitioners meditating in parks every morning. South Korea frequently hosts traditional festivals to express their faith in religion.

During exam season, it's customary for families to give their children candy as a form of wishing them luck, akin to a prayer for success.

On the students' side, they have great faith in these 'magical' candies, considering them as a method to boost confidence during exams.

In South Korea, it was indeed forbidden for people with the same surname to marry, known as 동성동본 (Same Surname, Same Origin), which means 'Same surname, same ancestral root'.

For example, people with the surname Kim come from 282 different clans, mostly from the Gyeongsang and Gyeongju regions. According to this, those with the Kim surname from the Gimhae clan can marry any Kim from the Gyeongju clan, but are prohibited from marrying those with the Kim surname from the same Gimhae clan.

This law prohibiting people with the same surname from marrying dates back to the Joseon era, originating from Confucianism, with the aim of preserving purity in family relationships. They feared that people with the same surname might have an unknowing blood relationship, so it was best not to marry each other to ensure absolute purity.

This prohibition law was officially included in South Korea's Civil Law, Article 809, in 1960. It was temporarily lifted in the years 1987, 1988, and 1996, during which an estimated 200,000 couples got married. In the television series Reply 1988, the young couple Seong Woo and Bora were fortunate to meet during one of these temporary lifts of the prohibition on marrying people with the same surname, so both families agreed.

By 2005, Article 809 was completely abolished, allowing couples from the same clan to legally marry as long as they were not closely related by blood.

It's not just Valentine's Day where couples get to express their affection. In South Korea, there are nearly 10 romantic celebration days, each conveying a different message of love.

For example, in June, there's a day for kissing, in December, a day for hugging, in May, a day for roses, and notably, South Korea even has a day dedicated to singles, known as Black Valentine's Day on April 14.