Buzz
Despite the constant spotlight on its noisy northern neighbor, South Korea is an extraordinary country. It has withstood Japanese colonization, Soviet interference, and ongoing threats from North Korea to emerge as the world's 12th-largest trading powerhouse. South Korea is behind the LG TVs, Hyundai cars, and Samsung phones we rely on daily. K-Pop artists are conquering the globe with their viral YouTube videos, and South Korean films are earning international praise. Yet, there’s much more to South Korea than technology and the viral sensation of Gangnam Style.
10. Crime Reenactments
One thing that South Korea is certainly not known for is leniency in criminal rights. Fans of films like Sympathy for Lady Vengeance or Mother are likely familiar with Korea’s practice of crime reenactments. Suspects of serious crimes, such as rape or murder, are compelled to participate in these public spectacles, often beginning with the police restraining the suspect with ropes or handcuffs. The suspect is then taken to the scene of the crime and made to reenact the offense. To further shame the individual, the media is invited to cover the event, with dates of reenactments even published in newspapers, encouraging the public to attend, watch, and throw insults.
In 1972, Jeong Won-seob was coerced into reenacting the murder and rape of a schoolgirl, a crime he was allegedly responsible for. As he performed the grim act, a crowd angrily shouted things like, 'Kill this guy!' The situation was horrifying, but what makes it even worse is that Jeong was later found to be innocent. Despite the evident flaws in this practice, it continues to this day. This practice is justified by something referred to as 'national sentiment,' which implies that the emotions of the public outweigh individual rights. While many Koreans oppose this view, the majority still seems to support this public spectacle, even with widespread criticism.
9. Fast-Food Delivery
If you were in South Korea, you'd never need to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy a meal. Most eateries offer delivery straight to your door, often with motorcycle drivers known for speeding through heavy traffic to get the food to you promptly. Once you're finished eating, you can simply leave your dirty dishes outside your apartment and the delivery person will pick them up later. How convenient!
In South Korea, nearly every restaurant provides delivery, even McDonald's, which takes 'fast food' to a whole new level. And if you suddenly get a craving for a few Big Macs at 5 a.m., that's not an issue—McDonald's will deliver around the clock, 24/7. After all, hamburgers are an essential part of a healthy breakfast. If you ever find yourself in South Korea and feel like ordering McDonald's at an odd hour, be sure to try some of the local Korean specialties, like the Bulgogi Burger or the Shanghai Spicy Chicken Burger.
8. Male Makeup
Despite their tough and macho reputation, South Korean men are increasingly obsessed with beauty products. These men are collectively spending nearly $900 million annually on cosmetics. The most popular product is BB cream foundation, though facial cleansers, anti-aging moisturizers, and eye creams are also in high demand. In fact, there are even TV shows that focus on male makeovers. As much as 20 percent of South Korean men, known as the 'grooming tribe,' use makeup regularly—not for fashion but as a business strategy. The fiercely competitive job market in South Korea means that many men use makeup to cover up imperfections and present a polished, celebrity-like image in interviews. In South Korea, it seems that makeup truly does help make the man.
7. The Boryeong Mud Festival
Since 1998, millions of people from all over the globe have been flocking to the Boryeong Mud Festival, and it lives up to its name. For 10 full days, visitors forget everything their parents told them about playing in the mud.
What started as a way to promote mud-based cosmetics has now become one of Korea's biggest festivals. In 2012 alone, over three million people attended, including 22,000 international visitors. The Boryeong flats ship gray clay to Daecheon Beach, where participants enjoy mud massages, photo contests, marathons, and the exciting mud wrestling competitions. Add in concerts and parties, and you’ve got a festival that’s sure to make anyone forget their troubles.
6. South Korean Robots
Robots are no longer just characters from science fiction. They've made their way into South Korean classrooms. In 2010, the South Korean government introduced the 'R-Learning' program, filling schools with automated helpers like Engkey. Engkey comes in two versions: one with a TV screen displaying a remote English-speaking teacher (sometimes as far away as Australia) and another that uses voice recognition to help students improve their speaking skills. Besides Engkey, teachers in preschool classrooms also use Genibo, a robot dog that teaches dance and gymnastics, and iRobi, which tracks attendance and checks in with kids about how they're feeling.
Not all robots in South Korea are friendly tutors aiming to help you improve your grades. Some are there to maintain order. In 2012, a prison in Pohang became the home of the world’s first robotic prison guards. These robots are equipped with 3D cameras and two-way wireless systems, enabling correctional officers to communicate with inmates. Sometimes they are controlled via iPads, while at other times, they navigate the cell blocks on their own using directional markers. Thanks to pattern recognition algorithms, these robots can detect illegal or dangerous behavior, like gang fights or suicide attempts, and call for human assistance. Fortunately, these robots cannot physically touch prisoners, and they are unarmed.
On the other hand, the SGR-1 is a different kind of robot. Deployed in 2010, it is tasked with patrolling the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Unlike the prison guard robots, the SGR-1 is armed with serious weaponry, including a 5.5-millimeter machine gun and 40-millimeter grenade launchers. While the SGR-1 cannot fire without human approval, it’s clear that the creators of this robot have never seen the movie Robocop.
5. Romantic Holidays
Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide, but South Korea adds a unique twist. While in many countries, men are busy buying flowers, chocolates, and cards, Valentine's in Korea is all about the men. It’s the day women show affection by giving chocolates and gifts to their husbands or boyfriends. However, the roles reverse on March 14. Known as White Day, it’s a day when men give gifts to women, but with a catch: men are expected to spend three times the amount of what they received on Valentine’s. As expected, these gifts are often white in color.
But love-themed days don't end with Valentine's Day in South Korea. In fact, the 14th of every month is a day dedicated to romance, or at least a reminder for singles of their lonely status. Some of these days are pretty straightforward, like Kiss Day in June and Hug Day in December. On January 14, it's Diary Day, when couples and friends exchange blank diaries. Photo Day in September, where couples take pictures of each other, is almost as sappy as Yellow Day/Rose Day in May, when lovers wear yellow and exchange roses. The saddest of all is April 14, known as Black Day. Singles mark this day by eating jajjangmyeon, a dish of black, sticky noodles, while lamenting their lack of love and hoping to find someone special before the next romantic day arrives.
4. Age
Visiting South Korea feels a bit like stepping into the future. As soon as you cross the border, you automatically become a year older. In Korea, a baby is considered one year old at birth, unlike most cultures where a newborn is zero years old. It gets even more confusing since everyone shares the same birthday. Once the New Year rolls around, everyone in Korea turns a year older, even if their actual birthday hasn’t arrived yet. For those born just before the New Year, the age confusion is even more pronounced. A baby born on December 31 would be one year old, but by January 1, that same baby would automatically be considered two.
If you're unsure about your Korean age, just subtract the year of your birth from the current year and then add one. Or, to save yourself some confusion when someone asks your age, you can simply tell them the year you were born.
3. Blood Type
In South Korea, blood plays a significant role, influencing not only the body's oxygen circulation but also one's personality. People in South Korea often face automatic stereotypes based on their blood type. This belief, which originated in Japan, has become deeply embedded in South Korean culture, and it may even affect important decisions like whom one chooses to marry.
Each blood type carries both positive and negative characteristics. Type A individuals are considered conservative and punctual, yet they can also be obsessive, uptight, and somewhat introverted. However, they place great value on loyalty and find cheating on their partners unacceptable. Type B people, on the other hand, are known for their creativity and passion but also for being lazy, impatient, and more likely to cheat. There’s even a South Korean romantic comedy titled My Boyfriend is Type B, about a Type A girl falling for a Type B boy and dealing with his impulsive personality.
Type AB individuals are believed to maintain a cool and controlled demeanor but can be elitist, harsh, and judgmental. As for Type O, they are ambitious, athletic, and determined to achieve great things in life, often displaying egotism. However, once they commit to a relationship, they are typically very loyal. If you plan on visiting South Korea, it might be a good idea to determine your blood type beforehand—eventually, someone will ask about it.
2. Baseball Was Created as a Political Tool
The most intriguing aspect of Korean baseball is its dark history as a tool for an oppressive military dictatorship. After taking power in the late 1970s, General Chun Doo Hwan imposed martial law across South Korea. He was not well-liked and was forced to crush revolts and silence protesters. He even shut down universities to suppress any dissent. When these measures failed, he came up with a more devious plan.
The Korean Baseball Organization was created in 1981 as a means of pacifying the population, particularly young men. Chun hoped that by replacing protests with baseball, he could divert attention away from his oppressive regime. Six teams were established by government-affiliated businesses, and a former defense minister was appointed as the commissioner. Chun further tried to improve his image by throwing the first pitch at each game. Eventually, the public grew tired of him, and he and his associates were imprisoned.
Baseball was used as a political strategy by General Chun Doo Hwan to distract the public from his authoritarian rule. In 1981, the Korean Baseball Organization was founded, and Chun hoped that people, particularly young men, would put down their protest signs and pick up thundersticks. However, his efforts ultimately failed as people grew disillusioned, and he was imprisoned, marking a major setback for his regime.
The Largest Church in the World
Although the Yoido Full Gospel Church may not have the biggest building, it certainly boasts the world's largest congregation. By February 2013, this church in Seoul had nearly one million members. On Sundays, around 200,000 of them attend one of the seven services, with another 200,000 to 300,000 watching from other locations or via satellite churches.
Pastor David Cho ensures his massive congregation stays spiritually nourished by employing three orchestras, twelve choirs, hundreds of staff, missionaries in 67 countries, and interpreters who translate his sermons into 16 languages. If you want to attend one of his two Sunday services, be sure to arrive an hour early to get a seat. Unfortunately, Pastor Cho may soon step down, as he is under investigation for breach of trust and tax evasion—he seems to have missed that part about 'Render unto Caesar' in the Bible.
