South Korea interesting facts. Interesting facts about South Korea. One year left until the Winter Olympics in Korea

South Korea is one of the most developed Asian countries. This country is one of the world's main suppliers of computer equipment, along with mighty China. It is located next to the most closed state in the world - the DPRK, or North Korea. The country was divided during a civil conflict, and so much time has passed since then that North and South Koreans can rightfully be considered different, albeit related, peoples.

Koreans believe that the founder of their country was the son of a woman and a bear.
Residents of South Korea, according to official data, have the highest level of intelligence among the entire population of the Earth.
South Korea is home to the most visited Christian temple in the world - the Full Gospel Church receives about 20 thousand parishioners weekly.
South Korea is one of the five largest automakers in the world, and also ranks first in the construction of ships.
Seoul National University staff were the first scientists to clone a dog.
There is room for more than two dozen national parks in South Korea.
The largest building on the Korean Peninsula is the residence of the President of South Korea, which is called the Blue House.
Video game competitions, like the concept of eSports itself, originated in South Korea.
Korea is the birthplace of the martial art of taekwondo.
South Koreans are partial to alcohol; local cuisine even has a special “hangover soup” made with pork broth. Drinking alcoholic beverages is accompanied by a lot of conventions - for example, it is indecent to pour alcohol into your glass, and the older person in the group will certainly drink first.
South Koreans have an extremely negative attitude towards red ink - it is believed that if you write a person’s name in red, misfortune or even death awaits him in the near future. The reason for this superstition is that in the past the names of the dead were written in red on gravestones.
In South Korea, there is a special culture of handshakes, according to which you can only greet peers or friends with one hand, and to greet respected or older people, you need to use both hands and bow slightly.
Private educational institutions are widespread in South Korea, and the quality of education is very high. Parents of South Korean schoolchildren spend $17 billion annually on the education of their offspring. Teaching is a prestigious profession; a truly good teacher in a private school can earn several million a year.
Despite its apparent prosperity, South Korea has the highest suicide rate in the world.
The city of Suwon has an unusual amusement park entirely dedicated to toilets. You can visit this place for free.
Plastic surgery is very popular in South Korea - many parents give their daughters a trip to the surgeon as a graduation present. One of the latest fashion trends is the artificial lifting of the corners of the lips, which creates the illusion of a permanent light smile.
In South Korea they hold their own bullfights, but the bulls fight not with people, but with their own kind. The fight is considered over when one of the animals leaves the arena.
South Korean scientists have developed a special robot to combat jellyfish that interfere with fishing and recreation of tourists.
Almost the entire population of South Korea (90%) has some vision problems since birth.
South Koreans believe that a person's essence is closely related to his blood type. Based on this indicator, decisions are often made about the success or failure of a marriage.
South Korea has its own system for calculating a person's age - in this country it is customary to count the year a child spends in the womb, and then add age at each calendar change of year.
The most common Korean surname is Kim.
Korean Cha Sa Soon was able to pass the theoretical part of the driver's license exam after 950 unsuccessful attempts. When she finally achieved success, she was 69 years old.

South Korea is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage. Today, the centuries-old wisdom of Taoism coexists with innovation. And, despite their love for the Western way of life, its inhabitants have retained many customs that are incomprehensible to us.

10 facts about South Korea: interesting and downright strange

She was once named one of the top innovation prospects by a Boston-based consulting group. Agree, not bad for a state that has been on the world stage since 1948. It is curious that with such results the country does not lose its “interesting” traditions.

Alcohol. An interesting fact about South Korea is related to drinking alcohol - for them it is a fairly important part of the culture, helping to get to know each other better. Therefore, at least once a week, residents of the country always get together with friends to have a glass. Such gatherings even have their own name - hoesik. However, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, there are rules. For example, if the person pouring the drink is older, then you should hold the glass with both hands.
Red ink. Each society has its own superstitions: if Europeans bypass black cats, then residents of the Land of Morning Freshness hate red ink. They believe that a name written in this color will bring misfortune and even death to its owner. This unusual fact about South Korea is associated with an ancient tradition. Previously, the name of the deceased was written in red on the tombstone, believing that this would scare away demons.
Proper handshake. When Bill Gates met with President Park Geun-hye, the country's residents were shocked by the American's behavior and gesture. The fact is that during the handshake, Bill's hand was in his pocket, which is unacceptable. Good manners and respect for the traditions of another country, despite their financial status, have always been held in high esteem. Therefore, if you encounter a Korean older than you, do it with both hands.
Education. Students and schoolchildren in Korea are very smart. According to statistics, 93% of students graduate from university, which puts the quality of education in the country second in the world. What is this connected with? Thanks to private institutions (hagwons), children have the opportunity to study many subjects, ranging from mathematics to belly dancing or taekwondo. On average, the country's parents spend up to $17 billion a year on their children's education. But this technique also has its drawbacks. Firstly, only rich families can afford education, while the poor are content with little. Secondly, classes at hagwons are held in the afternoon, which means that children attend school twice and come home tired.
Which is better: Japan or Korea? If there are many examples of friendly rivalry in the world (Australia - New Zealand) or bellicose (India - Pakistan), then these Asian countries are the “golden mean”. Even if they don't point nuclear weapons at each other, relations between them are always tense. This fact about South Korea and Japan is due to the fact that in the past the latter had a bad habit of infiltrating the territory of the former. Decades later, the situation has, of course, changed, but Koreans believe that the Japanese have still not officially apologized.
Discussions about skirts. It's strange to see so many bare legs in a conservative country. But miniskirts are the norm in South Korea. Even a business woman can wear an outfit that barely covers her butt to a business meeting, and no one will regard it as vulgarity.
An amusement park with a toilet theme. There are many strange attractions in the world, but this place in South Korea literally outdoes them all. A park with an "interesting" theme located in the city of Suwanee has been opened in honor of the beloved ex-mayor, nicknamed Mr. Toilet. The official was obsessed with sanitation and his main goal was to provide the population with good toilets and teach them how to properly maintain them.
Plastic surgery. Everyone wants to be beautiful, especially South Koreans. According to the results of a survey conducted back in 2009, every fifth woman in the country has gone under the knife. Basically the requests are the same: V-shaped chin, small nose and big eyes.
Bullfights. No, we are not talking about a red rag or a bullfighter. Cattle Fight in Korea Ranchers are constantly on the lookout for good "fighters." More often they choose massive ones, with a thick neck and long horns. The fight ends when one bull leaves the arena. The winner receives a cash prize, and the loser goes to drown his sorrows in rice wine.
Terminator jellyfish. Perhaps the most interesting fact about South Korea, more reminiscent of a science fiction film script. The oceans are teeming with jellyfish, so a group of scientists created a robot specifically to combat them. Due to the invasion of marine animals, the country lost $300 million, and in Sweden a nuclear power plant had to be closed. In this regard, the Koreans have created and are actively using terminator jellyfish that destroy real ones. Now the robot is capable of exterminating up to 900 kg of marine animals, but soon, according to scientists, the figure will reach 2000 kg.

Traditions and customs

The house is a sacred place, so special attention is paid to cleanliness, where dirt and, especially, disorder are completely unacceptable. It is customary to be indoors without shoes (barefoot) or, in extreme cases, in socks. If in summer the rule does not cause discomfort, then in winter additional heating is required. Therefore, modern technologies in the form of heated floors are used in the construction of houses.

Another interesting fact and custom of South Korea is associated with the ceremony of remembrance of ancestors - Chere. According to Korean belief, the soul does not leave immediately, but remains with the descendants for another 4 generations. Therefore, the deceased is also considered a member of the family and the Chere ceremony is performed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and death anniversary. Koreans also sincerely believe that if their ancestors bless them, then life will be happy.

The next interesting fact about South Korea is related to gestures. When you call someone over, raise your hand, palm down, and wave, moving your fingers. Never make this gesture with your palm up, much less with your index finger - only dogs are called that way in the country.

Facts that prove South Korea is beyond our understanding

Residents of the country are especially careful about oral hygiene, since dental services are very expensive. It is customary here to brush your teeth after every meal, and you can often find a brush in your handbag. In addition, in the restrooms of some establishments there is always a free disposable device for brushing teeth.

The next interesting fact about South Korea and Koreans is based on statistics. Many residents are myopic, so they wear glasses or contacts since childhood. This fact gives the impression that they are all born with poor eyesight. But that's not true. As mentioned earlier, Koreans are very smart and spend most of their time studying, immersed in their favorite gadgets. It is worth noting that not everyone is concerned about the disease. For example, Lim Dong Hyun (two-time Olympic champion) sees only 20% of normal. But the irony is that a man is participating in an archery competition!

Korean cosmetics have long captivated Western and domestic fashionistas, but here everyone uses it, regardless of gender or age. Korean women carefully monitor the appearance of their hair and skin, so they buy an incredible amount of products. They never go out without makeup. Young Koreans also care about their appearance. It is almost impossible to see a man with a sloppy or disheveled hairstyle on the street.

Contrary to popular belief, few people in South Korea have tried dog meat. Moreover, a movement to abandon the traditional dish is gaining popularity in the state. There was widespread support from young people who had been brought up to treat animals as friends. By the way, government policy also does not encourage the consumption of dog meat.

Now about In any city in the world, there are cafes, bars and restaurants at every turn, but the speed of service in Korea is simply amazing. The order is delivered literally within 10 minutes, and some establishments even send delivery people again to pick up dirty dishes. Here, instead of the usual “How are you?” They will ask you, “Did you eat well?”, and skipping any meal for a Korean is akin to a sin.

Let's talk about sexual touching. If in Europe two men holding hands are considered representatives of the LGBT movement, then in Korea everything is different. Society is extremely disapproving of a couple of opposite sexes demonstrating feelings in public. But playing with hair or sitting on a friend's lap is quite acceptable for men.

Korea is the cradle of eSports. At the beginning of the 2000s, the computer game Star Craft turned into a real cult. Esports players are real stars. Thousands of fans come to meet them, and stadiums with large screens are allocated for the games. And this, in turn, is another interesting fact about South Korea: a computer game is a real sport, for which players spend many sleepless nights while training.

And a few words about compulsory military service. According to the law, every Korean must undergo 21 months of military training. This iron rule is observed regardless of the social status of the resident. Only those who are incompetent and those who defend the honor of the country in the international arena can excuse themselves. For example, football players Ki Sun-young (Swansea) and Park Ji-sung (Manchester United) were exempted from military service.

Start of a relationship

If in Russia and in many other countries first love is most often met at school, then in the Land of Morning Freshness this is more difficult. An interesting fact about life in South Korea is that for every child, school always comes first. And if hyperactive children manage to start relationships at school, then for the rest there is simply no time for amorous affairs - from 9 to 5 classes, then electives, tutors, classes... When to fall in love?

But when you enter university, everything changes. Studying is not so hard, so many students live for their own pleasure: on Fridays they get together with a group and drink soju, join hobby groups and clubs. This is the best time, because after graduation, almost all of them will work from morning to late evening for many years.

Therefore, romantic relationships among young Koreans begin during their university studies.

What then

Continuing the story, here are a few facts about South Korea related to further development:

The first date is already the beginning of the relationship, and after the meeting ends, the guy and the girl “officially” become a couple. In addition, she always comes to the meeting with an older friend in order to look advantageous against her background.
After a while, "witnesses" are not needed and lovers can walk around holding hands, but kissing and hugging in public is inappropriate in Korea.
Another trend for couples is the same style. The phenomenon is called Couple Look - clothing stores make good money from it.
An important date for lovers is the hundredth day from the date of their meeting. Girls expect from guys not flowers and sweets, but designer jewelry, clothes, cosmetics, shoes, and bags. According to one Korean blogger, a gift costs an average of $800.
To move on to a closer relationship, the couple must date for at least a year.

Family matters

It's time to learn the facts about relationships in South Korea.

Home warms hearts, and every person should have a family. The opinion of the oldest family member is dominant. Not a single South Korean would dare to create a new family without the consent of the older generation and parental blessing. Of course, now freedom of action is much wider, but neither a boy nor a girl can do without the guidance of a mother and father. Excessive parental control, on the contrary, is welcome.

The main priorities are inextricably linked with the family hearth. Previously, several generations of relatives lived together in traditional small houses. But times are changing, and they have been replaced by spacious apartments. The only thing that has remained unchanged is the statutory rules.

When meeting parents, names are not mentioned - only “mom” and “dad”. This treatment is connected with another interesting fact about South Korea. According to legend, the meaning of the name, having great weight, influences fate, making a person more vulnerable. Therefore, residents of the Asian country rarely give their names.

Family relationships in South Korea have always been characterized by mutual respect and understanding. Despite the fact that a woman has the same rights as a man, the responsibilities between spouses are clearly delineated.

The wife is responsible for coziness and comfort, keeps the hearth, resolves disagreements, and the man, being the head, ensures the existence of the family. However, despite his authority, he never interferes in home improvement issues and conflict resolution. Even in the most difficult situation, the husband always remains on the sidelines.

About children

Another interesting fact about South Korea is related to the birth of a child. Since the country has a unique calendar, the baby is born at the age of one. This is due to the fact that the child spends 9 months (almost a year) in the mother’s womb. But that's not all. On the first New Year (January 1), another one is added to the baby. Thus, the children here are as much as 2 years older than their actual age.

To combat discrimination, the government passed a law according to which both son and daughter are considered equal heirs, therefore the attitude towards the gender of the child is neutral. But Confucian traditions were still preserved. According to this, special attention is paid to the eldest.

The world of show business

For many years the country was famous for its "slave contracts". This fact about South Korea is related to the popular mainstream K-pop. For example, a former member of the group Super Junior said in 2009 that the owners of SM Entertainment did not allow him to go on sick leave when he was diagnosed with gastritis and kidney problems.

And this is not the only such case. Major labels justify their actions by saying that if a young performer really wants to become popular, he must overcome all difficulties - sleep no more than 4 hours a day, not start a relationship while the contract is valid, not go on sick leave, and much more.

Bad number "4"

An interesting fact about South Korea, based on superstition. Residents have a “special” attitude towards the four. The problem is that the transcription of the number 4 is consonant with the word death.

Superstition has reached the point that in buildings after the third floor there is immediately a fifth. It's not even in hospitals. Agree, few Koreans would want to be treated on a floor called “death,” especially if the disease is dangerous.

In some elevators, the "4" button is replaced with the English letter F (four). However, in everyday speech the number four sounds without exception.

Let's go back to the past

And finally, I would like to give a few historical facts about South Korea:

“Taehan Minguk” 대한 민국 - this is what the residents call the country, but most often the abbreviation Hanguk, and sometimes Namhan, is used in conversation.
The word "Korea" comes from the name of the state "Koryo", which existed in 918-1392.
The history of North and South Korea began in 1945, when the Soviet-American agreement was signed. According to the agreement, the first came under the jurisdiction of the USSR, and the second - the United States.
Although it lasted until 1953, there was no official announcement of the end of hostilities.
The older generation of Koreans does not like the Japanese, since the colonization policy of the Land of the Rising Sun has not yet been forgotten.

The demilitarized zone is an area 4 km wide, dividing the Korean Peninsula into approximately two equal parts: northern and southern. It was officially recorded on July 27, 1953. The DMZ is the last remnant of the Cold War, the second to last being the Berlin Wall, which was destroyed on November 9, 1989.

Citizens of South Korea are prohibited from entering the North, and northerners are prohibited from entering the South. In fact, a piece of land 4 km wide. belongs to neither one nor the other. But here is the only place where delegations of both countries can meet - the village of Panmunjom. The structure for negotiations is designed in such a way that southerners and northerners each sit on their side of the peninsula, without crossing the border.

A symbolic sculpture has been installed on the territory of the DMZ: two families are trying to connect the halves of a disintegrating ball, in the section of which there is a map of the Korean Peninsula.

At the moment, 17 underground passages are known, dug from North Korea to South Korea. In 1978, a particularly large tunnel with a length of 1635 m was found at a depth of 73 meters. 30 thousand heavily armed North Korean soldiers in full uniform can overcome it in an hour and exit only 44 km. from Seoul. Today the tunnel is a safe place for tourists to visit - a concrete wall has been installed exactly on the border with its northern neighbor.

For those who want to look at North Korea, the Dorasan observation platform was built on the territory of the DMZ: if you look closely, you can see the city of Kaesong from here. A common economic zone was once created on its territory. 15 South Korean companies located their high-tech (peaceful!) production there, and North Koreans contributed in the form of labor. But after another test of North Korean missiles this year, the island of peace was closed.

The northernmost station on the South Korean Peninsula is Dorasan Railway Station. Its appearance confuses all tourists: the ticket office, souvenir shop, waiting room - everything functions perfectly. It feels like you can buy a ticket and go to Pyongyang. Southerners are confident that the station will not forever remain an extreme point and will again connect not only South and North Korea, but also the Korean Peninsula with China, Russia and Europe.

The people and government of South Korea are very eager to unite with the brotherly people, so much so that officials have already been appointed who will take office immediately after the unification of the two Koreas.

Gastrokorea 2.0: street food

Have you ever been to Montmartre in Paris? This is a real Mecca of French street cuisine: roasted chestnuts, waffles emanating the aroma of vanilla, the thinnest pancakes with Nutella, world-famous baguettes with a variety of fillings...

Well, Korean street food cannot even compare with European street food - you will not find such variety anywhere else. You come to Myeongdong in Seoul (it’s something like our Moscow Arbat) and drown in culinary polyphony...

Going to Korea and not trying street food is the same as coming to Minsk and not trying potato pancakes with sour cream, being passing through Kyiv and refusing borscht with dumplings... In general, a gastronomic crime! Today we will talk about those street dishes that every self-respecting tourist should try.

Kimbap, Korean rolls, is the easiest way to have a tasty and inexpensive snack. Usually the roll contains 4-5 favorite colors of Koreans - red, green, yellow, white and black. Looks very cheerful. Kimbap differs from Japanese rolls in that often a beaten egg, fried like a pancake, is used as a filling. And kim (algae) does not envelop the roll like a snail, but only “bandages” it from the outside.

Tteokbokki is a spicy rice flour cake (similar to a dumpling) that is usually simmered with vegetables and gochujang hot sauce. By the way, for Koreans, the spicier the tteokbokii, the tastier it is, as, in fact, with all other food. So be careful and don’t look at the Korean schoolchildren who happily snack on it on the street and don’t spew fire - they’re used to it.

So meat lovers will like kkochi. It’s also perfect for soju (this is Korean vodka, although it’s not very strong). Chicken pieces fried over a fire, served with a variety of sauces: sweet and sour, spicy... You will definitely come back for more.

If you come to Seoul in winter, don’t miss the wonderful carp-shaped pies (punoppan). Their floury interior hides an unusual red bean filling, very popular in Korea. Real jam!

And in the summer, phatpinsu is especially popular - a dessert made from ice flakes, again red beans, various fruits, rice flour cakes with filling and ice cream, all this splendor is generously poured with syrups and cream. They also sell ice cream cones on the streets (sometimes up to 30 centimeters in height - eating such a masterpiece alone is a real challenge). And exotic lovers can try ice cream in huge corn tubes.

Oh yes, we almost forgot about the manta ray. Simply put, manti. Koreans also love them very much. Only, unlike ours, the filling is based not on meat, but on vegetables or noodles. They are prepared from a variety of ingredients: wheat and buckwheat flour, pumpkin, fish, meat, vegetables.

In general, if you drink it in St. Petersburg, then you definitely have it in Korea. Come visit us, we will be glad to see you!

South Korea at MITT: medical tourism and Winter Olympics

The National Tourism Organization of Korea (NOTK) took part in the 24th Moscow International Exhibition MITT “Travel and Tourism”, which was held from March 14 to 16, 2017 at the Expocenter Fairgrounds. Most of the South Korean stand was devoted to the features of medical (health) tourism, which has been gaining great popularity in recent years and has high potential in the international arena.

As part of the MITT exhibition, representatives of 17 leading Korean clinics worked at the stand: plastic surgeons and cosmetologists, specialists in the field of modern and traditional medicine. Among the doctors are real world luminaries: Kim Ha-neul, rehabilitation doctor of oriental medicine, doctor of medical sciences, chief physician of the international clinic of the center of Korean medicine "Chasaeng", Kang Yong Lee, professor of colorectal surgery, head of the department for improvement and quality management of medical services Medical College of Yonsei University and other eminent doctors.

In addition, doctors made presentations as part of a medical seminar, which took place at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University on March 17.

Part of Korea's stand was also dedicated to the 2018 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Pyeongchang, Korea. The capital of the Olympics is part of the province of Gangwon, whose representatives could be seen at the Korean stand. In order for visitors to be able to plunge deeper into the atmosphere of the upcoming Olympics, an interactive structure equipped with virtual reality glasses was installed at the Korean stand: everyone could feel like a real skier.

“Discover your Korea!” – this is one of the slogans of our stand. We put a lot of meaning into these words, because we are sure that Korea is such an amazing and multifaceted country that everyone will find something of their own in it: beautiful historical sights, the possibility of quality treatment, business connections, sports resorts, amazing gastronomy,” says Ekaterina Lopukhina, marketing manager of the Moscow representative office of NOTK.

Reference

National Tourism Organization of Korea was founded in 1962 and currently has 26 offices around the world.

MITT is Russia’s largest international tourism exhibition, annually bringing together the best representatives of the tourism business in Russia and around the world. It has been held since 1994 and has been awarded the sign of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). For 20 years, industry experts have recognized the MITT exhibition as the main event of the country's tourism industry.

Gastrokorea

The wonderful aromas of Korean cuisine attract tourists not only from neighboring Asian countries, but also from all over the world. What's so special about it? Let's figure it out.

The basis of the basics of Korean national cuisine is rice, or “pub” in Korean. And not a single meal is complete without numerous snacks (“panchhan”). Sometimes there are so many of them that tourists, dazed from satiety, are surprised that 5 more options for “second” and “third”, dessert and even compote await them!

The most famous Korean dish is kimchi - pickled Chinese cabbage. Travel the length and breadth of the Korean peninsula and you will not find two identical kimchi. A comparison with borscht is begging: how many housewives - so many tastes. Kimchi is a hot, spicy snack that can whet the appetite of even the most sophisticated gastronomic tourist.

Kimchi also has its own worthy competitor - white Korean radish (“kaktuggi”). It has been noticed: as soon as this dish appears on the table, tourists become like Pavlov’s dog. By the way, they don’t eat dogs in Korea for a long time; even in Seoul you won’t find such establishments during the day.

The second “gastronomic myth” is the Korean carrot (Koryo-saram in Korean). The legendary snack, which is sold in all supermarkets in our country, has nothing in common with Korean national cuisine - it is a dish of “Soviet Koreans.” The fact is that the Koreans deported to the USSR really missed their native kimchi, and in the country of the Soviets there was a shortage of Chinese cabbage, so they invented a kind of replacement for it from what they had.

But let’s leave the country of victorious socialism and return to Korea. There is a fundamental rule in gastronomic tourism: eat what the locals eat. But every rule has an exception, in our case it is “bibimbap”. The dish consists of boiled rice, on which vegetables and fried meat are laid out, then stirred and generously seasoned with hot gochujang pepper paste. Simply put - spicy pilaf.

But you can devote an entire poem to Korean soups. These are real works of gastronomic art. Imagine a cauldron. Mentally put a chicken carcass in it, fill it with rice, garlic, generously sprinkle with seasonings and add ginseng root as a “cherry”. Yes, yes, just a piece of root - you can’t go wrong. Fill it all with aromatic broth, add fresh herbs, throw in a couple of chestnuts. Now eat. Yes, all this splendor is for you alone - the national Korean soup “samgyetang” is ready.

If soup is a poem, then Korean beef is a four-volume novel. Try bulgogi and you will forever become a hostage to this delicious dish. Close your eyes and imagine: thinly sliced pieces of marbled beef, pre-soaked in a sweet marinade of soy sauce, honey, green onions and garlic, fried over a fire until golden brown. Can you smell it? How are you still not impressed? Then here’s a fact for you: beef grown in the fields of the country of morning freshness costs 2 times more than beef imported from Australia. And this, for a moment, is 10 hours by plane!

So pack your bags and head to South Korea the next time you want to try something special. Gastronomic ecstasy guaranteed!

10 unusual facts about Koreans

Fact 1: Kimchiiiiiz!

When Koreans take pictures, instead of the usual “syyyyr” to Europeans, they say “kimchiiii.” And not a single photo is complete without traditional Korean gestures: “piss” or a heart on the top of the head.

Fact 2: Fun arithmetic

A newly born baby is considered nine months old by Koreans, and a three month old baby by European standards is considered one year old.

Fact 3: Hey, what did you eat?

When meeting a friend, it is customary for Koreans to ask their interlocutor about his age, and when meeting a friend, it is considered good form to ask, “How did you eat today?”

Fact 4: Sit down and sit!

A Korean employee will never leave the office before his boss, even if he is at work until midnight.

Fact 5: Protectionism the Korean way

Koreans do not have the right to hire a foreigner unless they can prove that the required specialist is not available in their country.

Fact 6: South Korea? No, we haven't heard

Koreans call their country “Hanguk,” which translates as “First State.”

Fact 7. They like it hot

Koreans practically do not salt their food, but they never skimp on pepper.

Fact 8: Big Boss is watching you

Residents of the country of morning freshness calmly leave expensive phones, tablets, wallets on restaurant tables, and do not even lock their cars. And all because in Korea it is very rare to steal, since there are cameras everywhere. It usually takes only a couple of hours to apprehend a thief who stole someone else's iPhone.

Fact 9: All cities are like cities, and Vladivostok is European

Vladivostok in South Korea is considered a European city.

Fact 10: Capital Capital

Seoul is translated from Korean as “capital”. Original, right?

Olympic Games in Pyeongchang: Passion. Connected

A year later, in February 2018, the XXIII Winter Olympic Games will start in South Korea. The successor to the crowned Sochi will be the city of Pyeongchang, located in the Gangwon province, famous for its ski resorts. Pyeongchang has nominated itself three times to host the Winter Olympics. In 2011, it beat out the French Annecy and the German Munich and was chosen by the International Olympic Committee as the capital of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Interestingly, unlike France and Germany, where residents opposed the Olympic Games, Koreans enthusiastically embraced the idea. It must be said that they had serious motivation: Gangwon-do province is considered one of the laggards in the country - its infrastructure is far from ideal, and the Olympics will help improve it.

Korea has already twice become the host of major sporting events: in 1988, the country hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, and in 2002, the FIFA World Cup (together with Japan). The head of the Organizing Committee of the 2018 Olympic Games, Lee Hee-beom, is confident that if the 1988 Olympics was a turning point in turning Korea into an attractive country for tourists, then the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang is designed to take Korea's attractiveness for tourists to a new level.

The largest and most interesting infrastructure innovation concerns the construction of a new railway. Now the journey from Incheon International Airport to the Olympic venues takes more than 4-5 hours by bus, and from Seoul at least 3 hours. In the second half of this year, high-speed rail trains will be launched to connect Seoul and Pyeongchang - the journey will take only 70 minutes, and from Incheon to Pyeongchang can be reached in 110 minutes.

The leadership of the Olympic Committee hopes that the 2018 Olympics will allow winter sports in Asia to reach a new level, and the high-speed railway will work for the benefit of tourism development: tourists from Singapore, Malaysia and other nearby countries, for whom snow is a wonder, will flock to Pyeongchang. also Europeans and Americans. By the way, the Olympic slogan Passion. Connected meets this vision perfectly: the passion for winter sports truly unites.

In addition, 12 new facilities were built specifically for the Winter Olympics in Korea, which are planned to be tested in 26 test competitions, most of which have already taken place successfully. According to Mr. Bohm, the results of tests carried out by international experts showed the high quality of the snow and tracks.

Of course, the 1988 Summer Olympics cannot be compared with the upcoming winter Olympics in many respects. Most of its facilities were built from scratch and subsequently, after the event, large costs were required to maintain the built infrastructure. As for the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, most of the sports facilities were already functioning successfully at the time the decision was made to hold the Olympics, and the management of the 2018 Olympic Games is confident that the new Olympic facilities will not only be actively used, but will also become a catalyst in the promotion of Asia and South Korea, in particular , as a convenient and high-tech place for winter sports.

Drawing on the accumulated experience of the 1988 Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the organizers plan to surpass the success of these two events, both in terms of payback and in terms of raising the prestige of South Korea among visitors from around the world.

Read about what attractions and festivals to visit in Gangwon Province and Seoul, what authentic dishes to try, and what ski resorts to try out new skis during the Olympics and at other times in the following articles of our blog. Do not miss!

In the meantime, check out our fascinating infographic dedicated to the Olympic Games 2018

One year left until the Winter Olympics in Korea

The XXIII Winter Olympic Games will start in February 2018 in the Korean city of Pyeongchang. Very soon, tourists from all over the world will go to the land of morning freshness to not only watch the Olympic Games, but also enjoy the multifaceted Korean culture, taste national delicacies and forever be imbued with love for Asia. We took this opportunity to talk with the Head of the Department for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games of the National Tourism Organization of Korea, Park Cheol-hyun, about preparations for the Olympics.

Mr. Park, please tell us about how Korea is preparing for the Olympic Games?

The construction of the stadiums is going according to plan and is currently in its final stage. Test competitions are held one after another to check and improve the performance of finished objects. We strive to make the facilities as convenient as possible for both athletes and spectators.

Construction of the Ice Arena in Gangneung (a city in Gangwon Province), which will host short track speed skating and figure skating competitions, was completed in December last year, and test competitions have already been successfully completed.

The Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium and other facilities are 96.4% complete. Olympic Plaza, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held, the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) and other supporting facilities are scheduled to be completed by September and we are currently on schedule.

Of the 12 stadiums (7 in the mountain cluster, 5 in the coastal cluster), 6 are under construction, and 6 additional stadiums are being built. As of February 2017, the average progress rate for the construction of all 12 stadiums is 96% (progress for the construction of 6 new stadiums is 98%).

Since the countdown began on February 9, the Olympic torch relay has started, ticket sales for the competition will soon open, and events dedicated to the countdown to the Olympics will be held in Korea and other countries.

Why was it so important for your country to host the Olympics (PyeongChang was nominated 3 times)?

Gangwon Province, where Pyeongchang is located, lagged behind other regions of the country in terms of infrastructure. Residents of the province hoped that hosting the Olympics would allow the region to reach a new level.

Winter Olympic sports were less popular than summer sports, but thanks to the success of figure skater Kim Young Ah, interest in winter sports began to grow in Korea. We will increase Korea's potential and status in winter sports through the use of high technology during the Winter Olympics. The Korean government and the entire nation are now working to rediscover the world of Korea, known from the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

What hopes do you have for the Olympics? How will it affect the tourism industry?

At the national and regional level, hosting the Olympics will primarily help strengthen the country’s brand; Korea will have the opportunity to join the ranks of developed countries and strengthen diplomatic relations through sports.

An important goal is the uniform development and dissemination of innovative infrastructure throughout the country: construction of roads, railway systems, stadiums and related infrastructure. Since preparations for the Olympics began, a large number of jobs have been created. Increasing the value of the local brand will provide an opportunity to increase private investment, as well as qualitatively improve the development of the recreation and sports industry.

In 2016, 17 million 240 thousand people visited South Korea, this figure is a record. Our goal for 2018 is 20 million tourists.

How do you assess the economic efficiency of the upcoming Olympics?

The economic efficiency of holding the Olympics in Korea, according to the Hyundai Center for Economic Research, is estimated at USD 56.6 billion. The direct effect of investments in the Olympics (construction of stadiums, organization of a transport system, housing construction, increase in consumption, etc.) will be USD 18.4 billion, indirect effect (increased influx of tourists, improved image of the country, etc.) - USD 38.2 billion.

Are you familiar with the Sochi experience? Will you be using it in any way?

The Olympics in Sochi cemented in the minds of viewers around the world the title of Russia as a cultural power, showing not only beautiful nature, but also history and centuries-old traditions. It should be noted that thanks to thorough planning and strong government support, Sochi, previously known as a summer resort, has been revived in a new capacity - a resort that is attractive to tourists all year round.

I heard that the mountains where the mountain cluster stadiums were located had an excellent view of the sea. And from the Olympic Village to the ice arena could be reached by bus in just 15 minutes. I also know that it was cold on the ski slopes in the mountains, but down in the coastal cluster it was quite warm, which ensured comfortable viewing of the competition.

Using the experience of Sochi, we plan to raise the status of Korea on the international stage, demonstrating our magnificent culture and traditions, arts, cuisine, and modern technologies. We will also organize a variety of cultural events after the Olympics to increase the attractiveness of PyeongChang as a tourist city.

Please tell us more about the new technologies that were used in the preparation of the Olympic venues?

The Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium is the country's first structure without central pillars, and it is also the country's first indoor stadium with "theater" seating in a zigzag shape, providing an ideal view from any point in the spectator stands.

We are the second in the world after Calgary (Canada) to build an indoor training complex for sports such as bobsleigh, skeleton (97 m track), luge (64 m track).

At the Union Hockey Center in Gangneung, for the first time in the country, each of the spectator seats (9,310 pieces) in the back will be equipped with a heating source, which will ensure the most comfortable viewing of the competition.

During the construction of the tracks of the Alpensia Luge Center, we replaced the usual technologies with factory ones, which allowed us to reduce the construction time to 18 months. We also increased the efficiency of artificial ice production.

How do you plan to use the facilities after the Olympics?

Sports facilities are the main legacy of the Olympics; they become an important part of local culture, tourism, and economy. We will actively develop them after the games are over.

Previously, there were precedents when, due to insufficiently competent management of large sports facilities, financial difficulties arose for states and local governments after the competition.

However, an extensive exchange of experience in organizing large-scale sporting events between Korea, China, Japan and Russia will make the practical use of the Olympic venues in Pyeongchang more effective.

Korea is known for its mild climate, will there be any problems organizing the Olympics in such weather conditions?

In February, when the Olympics begin, the average temperature in Korea is between -8 and -3 degrees, so holding competitions in alpine sports, such as skiing, which will be held in Pyeongchang, will be comfortable. On the other hand, in Gangneung, where the coastal cluster is located and the ice competitions will be held, the climate is much milder, the temperature in February is above zero.

The climatic and geographical features of Pyeongchang and Gangneung, which will host the Olympics, made it possible to clearly divide the territory into clusters. We hope that athletes and spectators will enjoy the competition in venues appropriate to the nature of the competition itself.

Will doping tests be tightened due to recent events?

The Korean Government and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee are in ongoing discussions with the IOC on doping program issues relating to the operation and management of the doping control center, recruitment and training of personnel, improvement of the quality of sample analysis, development of the doping control plan, and ongoing thorough preparation to comply with WADA rules.

The doping control center will be located in Pyeongchang, and we also plan to place one doping laboratory at each of the Olympic venues. We plan to appoint the most experienced doping officers to control during test events in order to improve their level.

How do you assess your athletes' preparation for the Olympics? Are you in contention for gold medals? In what sports?

There is only a year left before the start of the Olympics. And I am very glad that our athletes showed good results in the latest winter sports competitions. At the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships held in Gangneung last December, our athletes competed with Viktor Ahn (Ahn Hyun Soo), and therefore the interest was enormous.

The Korean team this time expects 8 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze medals and 4th place in the medal standings. The total number of gold medals in short track and speed skating that we are counting on is 7. This is not an easy task at all, but we believe that hosting the Olympics in our country will allow athletes to show the best results.

What new sports will be included in the 2018 Olympics program?

For the first time, the Olympic program will include snowboarding big air competitions. As far as I know, big air is the most popular competition all over the world. For the first time in Asia, such competitions were held in 2009 in Seoul. Recently, as part of test competitions, we held the Snowboard World Cup in Big Air, and now we are trying to prepare the highest quality infrastructure and services for the convenience of athletes.

What sports are most popular in Korea?

Korea performs well in speed skating, short track speed skating and other ice sports, which ensures great popularity among fans. Figure skating is especially loved, thanks to the success of athletes Kim Young Ah and Cha Jun Hwan.

Thanks to good achievements in recent international bobsleigh and skeleton competitions, Koreans have become interested in these sports. We also expect that sports that are little known in Korea, such as skiing, snowboarding, curling and others, will be appreciated and become popular in our country.

How many guests is the country ready to receive at the Olympics? Tell us where they will be located, will additional facilities be built for this?

Providing comfortable and pleasant accommodation and food along with improving and expanding the tourism infrastructure will revitalize the region's economy, at the moment we are at the stage of improving this system.

In the cities where the games will be directly held - Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, Gangneung, as well as Yangyang, Wonju, Sokcho and others located within an hour's drive - there are about 5,000 hotels, which amounts to about 85,000 hotel rooms. The Organizing Committee plans to complete the construction of 21,000 rooms for participating teams, IOC and IPC representatives, journalists and other Olympic participants by the end of 2017.

By the end of 2017, it is planned to launch direct KTX rail service on the route Incheon Airport - Pyeongchang - Gangneung. If now this journey takes about 4-5 hours, then KTX will allow you to get there in 1.5 hours. The Korean government provides full support to the Olympic cities of PyeongChang, Gangneung and the surrounding regions with the aim of transforming them into popular tourist areas where you can relax throughout the year. Just a 2-hour plane ride from PyeongChang, 1 billion Asians live. Given the scale of economic development in Asia, as well as population growth, PyeongChang has every chance of becoming the mecca of winter sports in Asia.

Also, for the convenience of tourists, we are developing a special mobile application through which you can get all the necessary information about housing, nearby attractions, restaurants and cafes, transport and much more. Information on the app will be available in Korean, Chinese, English and Japanese, avoiding inconvenience that tourists may encounter.

What would you advise those who come to watch the Olympics to visit, besides the Olympic facilities?

In addition to the Olympic venues, Gangwon Province has 18 interesting cities. Important tourist attractions include the one-of-a-kind Demilitarized Zone, the Changneung Royal Tomb in Yongwol-gun County, a World Cultural Heritage site, and the city of Taebaek, which was especially popular thanks to the TV series Descendants of the Sun.

In Gangneung, you can visit the birthplace of the poetess Heo Nansolheon, Ojukheon, where the artist Sin Saimdang lived, as well as a former coal mine, now a museum.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the visiting card of the Gangwon-do province - the ancient Buddhist temple of Woljeongsa, whose history goes back more than 1000 years, as well as the path in the fir forest that leads to this temple from the very first temple gate. The picturesque grounds of the temple, as well as the Templestay program held there, will allow tourists to look into themselves and give peace of mind.

South Korea expects to receive 20 medals and $56 billion during the Olympics

Exactly one year later, in February 2018, the XXIII Winter Olympic Games will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Now in Korea, preparations for the Olympics are in full swing: the construction of facilities is currently 96% complete, and test competitions are being held to check and improve the performance of finished facilities.

Korea, known for its innovative technologies, has brought them to the Olympic venues. For example, the Koreans were the second in the world after Canada to build an indoor training complex for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions. The speed skating stadium in Gangneung (a city in Gangwon province, one of the tourist centers of South Korea) became the first structure in the country built without central pillars.

In the run-up to the Olympics, the Korean authorities have taken the currently pressing issue of doping seriously: the Korean Government and the PyeongChang Organizing Olympic Committee are constantly negotiating with the IOC on doping issues, trying to comply with WADA rules.

According to the Head of the Department for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games of the National Tourism Organization of Korea, Mr. Park Cheolhyun, 17 million 240 thousand people visited South Korea in 2016, and 20 million tourists are expected in 2018. In cities located near the Olympic capital, there are now about 85 thousand hotel rooms, and it is planned to build another 21 thousand by the beginning of the Olympics.

“By the end of 2017, it is planned to launch direct railway service KTX (Korean High Speed Railway) on the route Ncheon Airport - Pyeongchang - Gangneung. If now this journey takes about 4-5 hours, then KTX will allow you to get there in 1.5 hours,” said Mr. Park.

According to the Hyundai Economic Research Center, the economic efficiency of holding the Olympics in Korea is estimated at USD 56.6 billion.

Mr. Park also believes that holding the Olympics in Korea will allow local athletes to show the best results and count on 8 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze medals and 4th place in the medal standings.

Reference

Pyeongchang applied to host the Olympics three times, this time the city beat out the French Annecy and the German Munich. South Korea's application reached the final vote three times: in 2014, Pyeongchang lost only 4 votes to Sochi, and in 2010 it was 3 votes behind Vancouver, Canada.

Gangwon Province, where Pyeongchang is located, lagged significantly behind other regions in infrastructure development. Unlike the French and Germans, who opposed the Olympics, the Koreans happily accepted this opportunity, hoping that hosting the Olympics would allow the Gangwon region to reach a new level and become an international ski resort.

And we invite our readers today to feel like passengers on the Seoul-Busan train, albeit under more pleasant circumstances. And our guide on the trip will be the President of the Busan Regional Tourism Office, Shim Jong-Bo, who will tell in detail about the features of the Korean railway service.

Mr. Sim Jong-Bo, please tell us what type of transport do Koreans prefer to use? How do they usually get to Busan? Are the high-speed trains to Busan popular with foreigners?

Koreans' transport preferences are the same as in most countries: they usually travel short distances by subway or city buses, and for travel outside the city they use trains, planes, high-speed and suburban buses. To travel to Busan, you usually choose high-speed trains because the journey takes only 2.5 hours.

Foreigners, of course, more often fly to South Korea by plane. As of September 2016, 800 thousand foreigners arrived in Busan by plane, 600 thousand by sea transport and another 800 thousand by other means of transport, including by train. Since Busan has convenient access to Incheon International Airport, many foreigners travel from Busan to Seoul and back by rail.

Please tell me what type of train is shown in the movie "Train to Busan"?

In the movie "Train to Busan" you can see the KTX high-speed train, which can accommodate 930 passengers. It can reach speeds of over 300 km/h. Today, KTX trains make 133 trips per day on the Seoul-Busan route.

What interesting things can you tell us about the history of Busan Railway Station? How long has it been around? What is its passenger flow? Where do Busan residents go most often to travel? How many personnel are employed in servicing the station? How often do the trains run?

The official opening of Busan Station took place on January 1, 1905, but due to severe fires, the station burned to the ground. As I already said, many of the city’s attractions are located not far from it. I also recommend that you take part in one of the many sightseeing tours, for which you can purchase a ticket right at the station building.

On average, the station's passenger traffic is 60,000 people per day. Busan Station has a staff of 100 people.

You can buy a train ticket directly at the nearest station ticket office, through the KoRailTalk mobile application and on the company’s official website (English, Chinese and Japanese languages are supported). I would recommend that you buy your ticket online to avoid queues and unexpected situations.

Are there any special features at Busan Station?

The main advantage of Busan Station is that it is very convenient to get to the main attractions of the city, such as Haeundae and Gwanalli beaches and the Jagalchi fish market.

The director of the film "International Market", which was watched by more than 10 million viewers, does not leave Busan Station indifferent. It features famous attractions such as Yeongdo Bridge, Hinyeul Cultural Village, Songdo Beach and Gamcheon Cultural Village. I highly recommend taking the train to Busan Station. This is where you can see Korea's past, present and future all at once.

According to sources, Daegu and Daejeon stations were involved in the filming of the film. Can you tell us something about them? How far are they from Busan?

Daegu is a metropolis that is considered the third largest regional center after Busan and Ulsan. The time it takes to get there will depend on the type of train. For example, KTX will take you to Daegu in 50 minutes, and to Daejeon in 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you are planning to go to KTX, be sure to visit these two cities.

Daegu is not only the largest industrial city in the Republic of Korea and the center of Buddhist culture, but also the country’s oldest transport hub (it acquired this status back in 757, when the Yeongnam Great Road ran through Daegu, along which travelers from Seoul to Busan moved). Daejeon is also a major industrial city and a center of modern Korean art and technology. Near Daejeon are the ancient city of Puye and the resort area of Yuseong, where the annual medicinal hot springs festival is held.

Are there any bonuses for foreign tourists when traveling by train to Busan?

For foreign tourists there is a special travel ticket from the Korail company (korail pass). This travel document is the most profitable from an economic point of view: it provides the holder with an unlimited number of trips and transfers within a pre-selected travel period. To find out more about the types of passes, prices and other information you are interested in, please visit the company’s official website (www.letskorail.com). The site is available in English.

Where would you advise a person visiting Busan for the first time to go?

There are so many interesting places in Busan that it would be very difficult to recommend just one. Since Busan is a seaside city, I advise you to go to the sea, in particular to the most famous and picturesque beaches - Haeundae and Gwanalli. There are a total of 7 beaches in Busan, which form a single coastline. Each of the beaches has its own charm. In addition to admiring the scenery, you can surf at Seongjeong Beach or sail on a yacht at Gwanalli Beach. The view of Busan at night from the sea is an unforgettable sight. I recommend that you take a night ride on a yacht along the coast and enjoy the view of the metropolis shining with lights.

On weekends, I usually walk along the Kalmet-Kil and Khepkharan-Kil walking paths. During these walks, I feel my mind and body heal and my mood immediately improves. In my opinion, the most charming thing about Busan, along with the cultural aspect of the city, is the combination of the sea and the coastal landscape.

There are many amazing countries in the world with a unique national culture, traditions, mentality that has developed over centuries, historical and natural attractions, which are visited by tens of thousands of tourists every year. Undoubtedly, South Korea is one of these countries. We will also go to this Asian country to present our reader with some of the most interesting facts about South Korea.

Country name

The name of the country is written in two hieroglyphs, and they are literally translated as “Land of Morning Freshness.” By the way, these hieroglyphs have other meanings, but the Koreans chose this, and that’s how they got the romantic name, which has stuck with South Korea in the world.

Uniqueness

The South Korean language originated in ancient times and is considered one of the most original on the planet. Many national traditions date back to ancient times and are highly revered in the modern world.

Security and crime

The world's leading sociological companies call South Korea one of the safest countries in the world. Street and violent crime is practically absent, which is a consequence of the high standard of living and mentality of the Koreans.

More about crimes...

Crimes that occur in the country are reported within a week in newspapers and on television, so that the entire population of the country knows all the details and which criminal will be punished.

Education

Briefly speaking about education in the country, Koreans have developed a real cult of education, and students and schoolchildren study 11-13 hours a day. Young people believe that education is a kind of bridge leading to greater opportunities.

Special mindset

All experts note that South Korean students are distinguished by a special mindset, high intelligence and can show ingenuity. Let us also note that the literacy rate of the population is 99%.

Prestigious profession

One of the most prestigious and highly paid professions in Korea is medicine. Because of this, parents are willing to pay huge amounts of money for their boy or girl to study to become a doctor.

Plastic surgery

People from all over the world come to plastic surgery clinics in South Korea to change their appearance. But Korean women, upon graduating from university or college, give themselves a kind of gift, fixing their eyelids or changing the shape of their nose.

Artificial beauty

In the debate between Asian beauties, it is believed that Korean women are the most beautiful, ahead of Chinese and Japanese women. But don’t forget that for many Korean beauties, beauty is a consequence of surgical intervention, and meeting a Korean woman without makeup on the street is almost impossible.

By the way, Korean men are no less obsessed with cosmetics than women.

Everyone has a phone

All South Koreans have mobile phones, even people without a fixed address. And, most likely, these phones are domestically produced by Samsung. But cellular communications here are quite expensive.

Purity

The streets of cities and towns surprise with their incredible cleanliness, but what is noteworthy is that trash cans are quite a rare occurrence within urban settlements.

Army

Historically, South Korea must have a combat-ready army. The country has universal conscription, and every guy is required to undergo military service. An exception is made only for disabled people.

Due to the hard work of the Koreans and the high development of technology, the South Korean army is one of the best in the world today.

Koreans love to eat tasty and satisfying food, and therefore, when meeting with friends and acquaintances, they ask “How did you eat today?”, and not the usual European “How are you?”. We have already written about this in an article about the world.

A Korean can talk about every dish of national cuisine for hours.

Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks, like food, also occupy a special place in the lives of South Koreans. According to statistics on alcohol consumption per capita, Koreans are ahead of Russians.

In a group, only the eldest can hold a glass of beer with one hand and pour the drink for the others. All younger participants in the feast hold glasses with both hands.

Any Korean man knows a lot of table entertainment and toasts. But they prefer to sit on the floor rather than on a sofa or chair, and their favorite alcoholic drink is soju.

Foreigners

Naturally, foreigners are immediately visible in the country, and Koreans divide them into two categories - English teachers and exchange students. But Koreans always treat tourists with respect.

There are no stray dogs and cats on the streets. Shelters have been created for such animals, and Koreans are happy to take pets from shelters into their homes.

Attitude towards smoking

You can smoke everywhere in this Asian country, and while this harmful habit is quite common among men, there are very few women who smoke. There is practically no drug addiction problem in the country.

Family relationships

Young people in South Korea are trying to build their first love relationships on the example of South Korean melodramas. But in family life, unfaithful husbands are not uncommon in Korean society. Moreover, there is room to turn around, because according to statistics, 25% of Korean women are engaged in prostitution.

Conservative

South Korea is a conservative state, where many things are regulated by traditions and state laws. For example, until 1979, the country clearly regulated clothing for women and girls. Not only the length of the skirt was set, but also the hairstyle and hair length.

Parks

There are 20 national parks in a small area, among which theme parks are especially popular.

There is even a park-museum of toilets, which displays rare exhibits of toilets from various historical eras, and one of the parks is filled with sculptures of male genital organs.

Phobias

Despite his heavy alcohol consumption, he is recognized as enemy number one in the country. Koreans are terrified of the color red, which is why they rarely use it in clothing and home decoration.

Special holiday

The country celebrates Valentine's Day on a special scale and romantically. But, unlike other countries, in Korea it is dedicated to the stronger sex.

Politeness

The country traditionally treats elders well and with respect, and greets even strangers when meeting them.

Korea has even developed a special handshake ceremony, and Koreans, in order not to appear impolite, strictly follow this tradition.

Sudden jump

Until the 60s of the last century, Korea was among the poorest countries in the world, but a sharp economic leap brought it to a leading position in the world. Today it is a leader in the production of electronics as well as cars.

Archeology

Many ancient archaeological monuments have been explored throughout the country, and the Dharani Scroll is recognized by scientists around the world as the oldest book publication in history.

1. The Republic of Korea or South Korea (hereinafter referred to as simply Korea) is a very safe country. A girl may not be afraid to walk through a residential area alone at night.

2. Cases of major crime, such as murder, are considered unprecedented and are covered on local news for weeks.

3. The best time to visit Korea is spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, and autumn, when the leaves on the trees turn yellow. In winter it is very cold and windy, in summer it is incredibly hot, humid and rainy.

4. The territory of the country is very small, so civilization has penetrated into all its corners. It is impossible to get lost in Korea, and there are no remote villages here.

5. The most popular sport in Korea is baseball. Everyone plays it, from young to old; almost everyone has a baseball bat. Baseball games, especially big ones, are always sold out.

6. In second place in popularity is golf. It is played by middle-aged men. And when they reach old age, all Koreans go to the mountains.

7. Walking in the mountains is such a favorite pastime for Koreans. They can get up at 8 am after a wild drinking session and still climb the mountain.

8. 90% of Koreans are nearsighted and have to wear glasses or contact lenses. People wear glasses from childhood, which involuntarily creates the impression that they are born with poor vision.

9. Absolutely all Koreans use Internet Explorer. They have no idea about other browsers, and what’s more, most don’t even know what a browser is. Korean sites, accordingly, are made only for Explorer; in any other browser, not a single Korean site will work correctly.

1 0. Many Koreans, in order to open Google, first open naver.com (this is a Korean search engine and not only), type “Google” in Korean into the search and then click on the link.

11. Koreans love coffee very much, and coffee shops can be found here at every turn. After lunch or dinner, be sure to have a cup of coffee.

12. Free Internet can always be found: in any institutions, cafes and even on buses.

13. Coffee shop chains, cinema chains, supermarket chains, restaurant chains, bar chains, department store chains - if an establishment doesn't have a clone somewhere in Korea, it means it hasn't matured yet.

14. Domestic product is highly supported in Korea, so many imported products such as toothpastes, gum, pads, chips, etc. are not available.

15. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy. Cabbage beds, turnip gardens and rice fields can be found even in the city center.

16. Dentist services are very expensive, so all Koreans carefully monitor their dental hygiene. They brush their teeth after every meal and coffee, often carry a toothbrush with them in their bag, and in some establishments you can find free brushes right in the toilet.

17. Education plays perhaps the most important role in the life of any Korean. Koreans study from early morning until late at night, regardless of the day of the week, and use the holidays for additional courses or independent study.

1 8. There is no such thing as a vacation in Korea. There are a few days, usually in early August, when many workers take time off to relax or travel abroad.

19. There are two major national holidays: Lunar New Year and the Autumn Festival, when Korea is closed for three days. There is no more time for rest.

20. A teacher in a public educational institution can only be fired by the president himself. This profession is extremely respected and highly paid.

21. Overweight Koreans are very rare. Really thick - almost never.

22. Girls readily show off their legs, but never their cleavage.

23. Most Korean women have small breasts and a flat butt, but very slender legs.

24. That's why plastic surgery is booming. A girl can inflate her breasts in just one lunch break. After graduating from school and entering college, most girls fix their eyelids, noses, or something else as a gift.

25. Korean women take great care of their skin and hair and use an incredible amount of cosmetics and beauty products. Korean women do not go out without makeup.

26. Many people admit that Korean women are more beautiful than Japanese, Chinese and other Asian women. Even if their beauty is somewhat artificial.

27. Despite all the cleanliness on the streets in Korea, it is very difficult to find a trash can.

28. All Koreans sing well and therefore love karaoke.

29. Everyone has cell phones, even the homeless.

30. Any phone can be borrowed for two years.

31. In Korea, the shopping rush begins after 7-8 pm and in some areas continues until late at night.

32. Young men are not supposed to bring girls to their homes, which is why there are a lot of motels in Korea. So many.

33. Motels peacefully coexist with churches: they say, if you commit adultery, pray.

34. Every single guy is required to do military service, unless he is disabled.

35. There is some kind of food cult in Korea. Instead of “how are you?” Koreans ask “Did you eat well?”, skipping at least one meal is considered almost a sin, and the verb “eat” can replace many other verbs, such as “drink alcohol”, “take medicine”, “breathe fresh air” and even “ grow up a year."

36. Koreans eat a lot and variety. Kimchi and other snacks are required at the table. Lunch is rarely limited to just one dish; when you think you're full, they bring you more plates until you burst.

37. Any Korean will tell you about any Korean dish that it is incredibly healthy. Most often for some reason for men's health.

38. Koreans probably drink even more than Russians. They get drunk quickly, but never get rowdy. Even a drunk Korean is not particularly dangerous.

39. Every Korean knows a hundred or two very noisy drinking games aimed at getting everyone drunk as quickly as possible.

40. Koreans are very generous and sympathetic people. They will definitely want to pay for your lunch and will never refuse help.

41. In Korea, it is customary to greet janitors, bus drivers and cleaners, in general, everyone. You show respect to your elder, and it doesn’t matter who he works for.

42. It’s hard to believe, but according to one source, 25% of Korean women have experience working in the intimate service sector: these are prostitutes, escort services and girls “for communication” in bars and karaoke.

43. Most married men cheat on their wives, and that's okay.

44. Most married Korean women do not work at all while raising children.

45. All older women look the same: the same short, chemically styled hairstyles, the same clothes, the same hats.

46. There are no stray dogs in Korea. Few people keep large dogs either, but it is very fashionable to have a small pocket dog, dye its fur in bright colors and dress it in funny clothes.

47. Contrary to popular stereotypes, very few Koreans have tried dog meat.

48. Foreigners in Korea are divided into two categories: exchange students and English teachers.

49. Koreans prefer to sit on the floor than sit on a chair or sofa.

50. Either the weather forecast is never wrong, or Koreans always, always carry an umbrella in their bag, but a Korean cannot be caught off guard by rain.

51. In Korea, flooding occurs frequently due to rainfall.

52. Every Korean's wallet is filled with business cards and various savings and discount cards and coupons.

53. Koreans listen mostly to Korean music. From Western performers they listen to what is fashionable.

54. Korean music is mostly pop music, boy bands and girl bands are no different from each other.

55. For each song, each musical group has its own dance, which fans know by heart.

56. There are no plazas in Korea. There are only areas in front of some buildings.

57. In many bars you can't just drink beer; you must order snacks to go with your beer. Koreans themselves cannot just drink beer; they definitely need to chew something while doing so.

60. Nobody cares that a young beautiful girl advertises an alcoholic drink everywhere.

61. When meeting people, the first thing Koreans do is find out their age. This is important for future communication style. If the interlocutor is at least a year older, you should address him in a polite manner, be respectful and helpful.

62. Koreans are often tactless when asking personal questions like “do you have a boyfriend?” or “why aren’t you married?”

63. Young Koreans are turning romantic relationships into just another drama they watch on TV.

64. In Korea you can smoke almost everywhere. Signs prohibiting smoking are often simply ignored.

65. It's rare to see a girl on the street with a cigarette. There are generally few girls who smoke and they only smoke in bars and clubs.

66. You can drink alcohol on the street. Koreans often have impromptu picnics with alcohol and barbecues in the most unexpected places.

67. Koreans often laugh for no reason, in response to any phrase or the most unfunny joke. They are especially happy when a foreigner speaks Korean.

68. There is a park in Korea filled with sculptures of male members.

69. In Korea, almost no one calls anyone by name or says “you” or “you.” There are many special words for addressing, for each case of kinship and relationship.

70. When a Korean calls someone to him, he holds his hand with the palm down, and not up, as in other countries.

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