Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Traveling to South Korea

1. Kimchi: Cultural Icon of South Korea

Kimchi, not just a dish but a symbol of Korean culture, is deeply ingrained in every Korean household. It represents strength, uniqueness, and resilience. Seoul, South Korea's capital, boasts a kimchi museum showcasing 187 varieties of this iconic dish, earning it the nickname 'Land of Kimchi.' Koreans eat kimchi with every meal and consider it a staple side dish. While some foreigners may find its spicy and sour taste unfamiliar, eating kimchi earns you respect and appreciation from locals.

Traditionally, families prepare large quantities of kimchi around November, using various vegetables like cabbage, radish, scallions, and cucumbers. The preparation involves salting the vegetables along with spices like chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Different regions and seasons yield different kimchi flavors. Beyond its culinary significance, kimchi embodies both the labor and spirit of the Korean people.

2. Soju: The National Spirit of South Koreans

Soju is considered the 'national liquor' of beautiful South Korea. Almost every country in the world, when they hear about Soju, knows it as a traditional beverage of the Korean people for a very long time. Soju is regarded as the 'national liquor' of the Korean people. You can easily come across images of Soju bottles in every Korean movie, and this liquor is also readily available in all supermarkets and convenience stores. It can be said that if you come to Korea and haven't tried Soju, it's a big miss. However, drinking alcohol also has strict rules: never pour your own drink and when pouring for someone older, place one hand on your left chest as a sign of respect.

Koreans highly value drinking customs and principles. In a drinking session, Koreans place great importance on hierarchy, rank, and age. Pouring your own drink is considered impolite. Therefore, in Korean drinking culture, the person pouring the drink is usually younger, and when pouring, they hold the bottle with both hands.

The recipient must drink up the alcohol in the cup and raise the cup with both hands while being poured. Especially when an elder gives you an empty glass, it means they're about to toast you. Remember to finish the drink they toast you and then return the glass to the original owner. Don't hold the glass for too long as it's considered impolite. When drinking with an elder, you need to turn your back, because if you finish the drink in front of them, it's considered disrespectful to the elder...

South Korea has long, freezing winters, and they heat their homes in a unique way: underfloor heating. This system halts the cold at the door by providing warmth to the floor and creating a cozy atmosphere throughout the house. With this warmth radiating from below, Koreans prioritize all daily activities closely tied to the floor.

Therefore, as a natural practice, upon arriving home, they take off their shoes to keep the floor clean and often go barefoot. Removing shoes before entering the house is something you must remember when visiting Korean families. Because the people here have a special relationship with the floor, where they sit, lie down, and most traditional Korean families eat while sitting on the floor. Therefore, having a dirty floor is unforgivable to Koreans.

One important aspect cannot be overlooked, which is related to health. Asians in general, and Koreans in particular, believe that removing shoes before entering the house helps eliminate harmful dust and bacteria from outside. Moreover, in Eastern philosophy, the feet play a crucial role in health. Some traditional Asian doctors even refer to the feet as the 'second heart of the body.' Additionally, removing shoes before stepping into the house is associated with spiritual and Eastern philosophical thinking. This small act is considered by many Asian cultures as a signal to awaken the human mind.

South Korea - the beautiful country that offers you the most wonderful experiences with breathtaking landscapes, enticing street foods, and long-standing traditional culture. But beneath those beauties shines the people who work tirelessly, diligently aiming to enrich the nation. South Korea is dubbed the country with the most fierce job competition in Asia (on par with Japan) - demanding quality and work style of Koreans are strict.

South Koreans, though warm and generous, often have a very serious demeanor towards those around them, sometimes bordering on stern. So, don't be surprised when they greet you with 'hello' but don't offer a friendly smile. Whether it's studying or working, Koreans are very serious. They always make clear and detailed plans. Their effort and perfectionism are also evident in their work. This has become ingrained in them and has become a characteristic of the Korean work style.

A good attitude is always needed in a proactive employee. Not only in Korean companies but each employee needs to have a serious attitude in their work. Working in a Korean company requires you to work meticulously with thorough preparation. If you can show that you are a dedicated employee, everyone will pay attention to and highly appreciate your abilities.

Similar to many other Asian countries, South Koreans often use spoons for most meals instead of chopsticks, and they never lift the bowl to their mouth horizontally. Additionally, chopsticks should not be left stuck upright in a bowl of rice as it resembles a ritual for the dead. Korean dining culture highly respects social hierarchy, especially the rule of 'respect upwards, yield downwards.' You only sit down after elders have done so. You must wait for elders to pick up their spoon and chopsticks before you start eating. Similarly, you only stand up and leave the table after elders have done so first. Seating arrangements are based on social status or age order. The lowest social status or youngest individuals sit closest to the entrance, while elders are prioritized to sit indoors. In each meal, rice is considered the main dish, and other dishes are regarded as side dishes. Therefore, a complete meal cannot be without the main dish.

South Koreans often say 'I will eat well' before a meal, which serves as a thank you to the cook or the person who prepared the meal. Additionally, South Koreans leave their napkin on the table to indicate they have finished eating. In Korean culinary culture, South Koreans also use their hand to cover their mouth when picking their teeth to show politeness....

Protests are very common in South Korea, and tourists can easily spot images of individuals or groups holding protest signs on various issues. People here use a wide range of protest methods, from peaceful to violent, or even irrational acts like cutting off fingers, throwing animal dung, or covering themselves in bees. Citizens in every country have the right to express their opinions and demand their legitimate rights. In South Korea, many protests arise from this, serving as a way for the people to voice their opinions to the government or state agencies. South Korea is a country where protests occur frequently, but violence rarely happens. Protests in South Korea are now called the 'candlelight revolution' because people protest peacefully and light candles to express their opinions. Additionally, according to reports from both the police and protesters, there are no conflicts between the two sides during protests.

If you visit South Korea, you'll see many protests with lively atmospheres, similar to festivals, featuring live music, horns, and drums. They even parade on many major streets. Before a protest, which can last from 2 to 30 days, the protest group must register with the police regarding the location and time of the protest. The police even refrain from carrying guns, batons, or tear gas when attending protests. Typically, they are only allowed to carry plastic shields.

The South Korean National Police has issued the 'Human Rights Conduct Rules' policy, which places people's rights at the core, allowing the police to refuse orders they deem violent toward the people. The police are present at protests to protect the people and prevent unwarranted violence. The South Korean police are not allowed to prevent peaceful protests as long as they have been registered beforehand.

In crowded places, pushing and shoving is quite common. If there's an unusual incident like a fire or terrorist threat, the situation can become chaotic, and people in the crowd may face some life-threatening accidents. Cities in South Korea are often very crowded, especially during peak hours like the morning rush hour or evening commute. Therefore, if you get pushed or bumped into here, consider it normal and don't be irritated with them because no one cares about you. When caught in a chaotic crowd, the first requirement is to stay calm and control your fear.

We maintain this psychological state when entering a crowd. It's best to move with the flow of people, let the force of others guide you, and don't try to cut across or go against the flow. Move laterally with the crowd and observe around to find escape opportunities. Finally, remember: There's only one way to escape disaster, and that's: Calmness. Let calmness lead you to the most accurate judgment and action. You shouldn't get annoyed or hot-tempered over minor bumps from those around you. You shouldn't be aggressive, ready to push and shove others to find a more comfortable space for yourself.

In South Korea, especially among men, there is a liking for dog meat, considering it as a type of food that increases body flexibility. One notorious and somewhat chilling dish in Korean restaurants is 'dog meat soup'. According to researchers, the consumption of dog meat in the Korean Peninsula began to draw public attention as early as the 1920s. At that time, people from both regions were determined to defend their culinary customs whenever facing criticism from dog lovers from abroad. Following the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950-1953, many starving people survived by consuming dog meat to stay alive.

Dog meat is often consumed during the summer months and is grilled or prepared into soup or stew. The most popular dish among these soups is Gaejang-guk, a spicy stew used to balance the body's temperature during the summer months. This is believed to ensure good health by balancing the 'ki', or important energy of the body.

A 19th-century version of Gaejang-guk explains how the dish is prepared by boiling dog meat with scallions and chili powder. Variations of the dish include chicken and bamboo shoots. In South Korea, some people eat Bosintang (literally 'vitality-boosting soup'), believing it has healing properties, especially related to toxicity. In South Korea, dog meat is also believed to encourage energy or bravery in an individual and is often consumed during Korea's sweltering summer.

Long-distance walking is one of the most popular activities in the land of kimchi. Families here often reserve their weekends or month-ends to embark on long-distance walking journeys together. Tourists visiting are advised to hike up mountains to behold the stunning city views from above. Especially during the spring, visitors also have the chance to admire the beautiful cherry blossoms lining the streets and mountainsides. In South Korea, you need not fret about where to cross the road. Almost every street in South Korea has pedestrian crossings. It's also worth noting that if you don't cross the road at the designated crossing, you won't be covered by any insurance in case of accidents and will be liable to pay for any damages resulting from collisions with automobiles.

With its natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, South Korea is a land full of delightful surprises. That's why long-distance walking in South Korea is a nationally cherished leisure activity, especially on weekends and throughout the year. Experience the marvelous sights of cherry blossoms or golden leaves in spring and fall. Witness the serene snowfall and trek through winter forests or find respite from the heat by walking through cool valleys during the scorching summers in South Korea. At any time, walking activities bring their own joys. Therefore, whether you're touring South Korea at any time, there will always be remarkable mountains to traverse during your long-distance walking adventures.

From the latter half of the 19th century to the early 20th century, Korea experienced its most tumultuous period known as the 'pre-modern enlightenment era'. This period in Korean history unfolded amidst external pressures, characterized by the imperialistic ambitions of colonial powers seeking to assert dominance and expand influence through large-scale colonial invasions. Domestically, the feudal system collapsed, anti-imperialist movements surged, and anti-feudal movements aimed at building a modern nation-state unfolded vigorously and publicly. It was an opportune era for the blossoming and maturation of nationalism. It was a dark and painful period for Korea as it fell under Japanese colonial rule, yet it was a period of significant upheaval that epitomized the nation's spirit throughout its history.

Nationalism in Korea is robust. It's also a trend of thought that has had a significant influence on the country's historical and cultural development. This study aims to summarize the process of embracing and understanding nationalism through the perspectives of some prominent intellectuals and scholars in Korea during the early 20th century. Therefore, when here, never bring up Japan's invasion and occupation of this country as a colony in the early 20th century. This could provoke anger among the Korean people, and travelers may face unforeseeable consequences.