32 Shockingly STRANGE Things About South Korea

South Korea is a strange, strange place. It’s one of the most unique countries I’ve ever been to. Some of these things are shocking, quirky, and simply too hilarious not to write about them. I hope this list makes you laugh and/or helps those who plan to live or travel in South Korea!

Keep in mind, Korea is still the only country in Asia I’ve ever been to, so some of these things may not be unique to Korea and might be cultural differences associated with other countries as well. Enjoy!

1. “Hot Chips” are actually “Sweet Chips”

I have NEVER felt more betrayed in my life than the first time I tried a bag of “hot SPICY chips” in Korea. They are sweet and it’s all a lie.

Other lies in Korea: garlic bread (actually sugar bread)

2. Collarbones are sexual.

Short shorts: okay. Short skirts: okay. Tank tops: death stares and gasps from older Koreans. Do not show your shoulders (especially in small towns).

3. Wearing the exact same outfit as your boyfriend is a thing

Korean couple culture is intense. Couples will wear the EXACT SAME OUTFIT. Same shoes, same shirt, same socks, maybe same underwear. It’s normal to witness a Korean couple (with matching outfits) carrying around a full-length tripod taking a pictures of themselves on the beach or wherever. You can even have a picnic delivered to the beach for you and your honey equipped with beach chairs, picnic basket, umbrella, snacks, etc for your Instagram photo shoot.

4. They put hot dogs in sushi

Never in my wildest nightmares have I considered putting spam or hot dogs in a sushi roll. Koreans have done the unthinkable, the unimaginable. You can buy Korean sushi, aka kimbap, loaded with hot dogs. *vegan tears*

5. It feels like I’m invisible.

Some days I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not a zombie clinging on to life on earth. Koreans don’t make eye contact and it’s considered rude to stare at people.

Look, I’m from the midwest. I was trained from birth to smile at strangers, open doors for people, and say hello on bike rides. I’ve also traveled in Latin America for the past 5 years, the place where strangers are friendly, always talk to you and/or invite you over for dinner 10 minutes after meeting you.

There are pros and cons to both cultures. Pro: I’ve never been cat called in Korea. It’s amazing to not be sexually harassed or screamed at from a moving vehicle.

Related article: Dear Men of Santa Marta, Stop Harassing Me

6. No one steals your shit.

Coming from Chicago, IL, USA, the capital of theft and everyone tryna steal your shit: I am shook. You can leave your bicycle outside of a store UNATTENDED and it will not get stolen. You can leave your cell phone or passport on the subway and someone will give it to lost and found or track you down to return it. It is magical and wonderful not having to grip your phone in public places or hug your purse walking at night.

Disclaimer: there obviously is still some cases of theft. You probably shouldn’t experiment by leaving your passport on the subway.

7. I can go to the doctor and not go bankrupt.

My first month in Korea I went to the doctor for a UTI. I didn’t have insurance from my job yet. My anxiety was high wondering how much the bill would be. I paid about $20 to see a doctor and get medicine (WITHOUT INSURANCE).

I haven’t had health insurance in the states for years. Going to the doctor is not really an option. I remember getting a UTI in Chicago and calling different quick care offices for quotes. A quick care up the street from my job quoted me $600 just to see a doctor.

Tip: If you’re living in the states, Planned Parenthood is wonderful. You pay based on your income. My co-pay was $0 at one point.

8. Plastic surgery is normal

Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures in the world. A Chinese American expat told me about the popularity of double eye lid surgery in Korea during my first week here. I went on the subway shortly after our discussion and realized almost every single woman on the subway had the surgery. It’s something I’ve never noticed or thought about before coming to Korea.

Botox and fillers are also affordable and accessible. The beauty industry is a huge part of Korean culture. Women here are expected to look a certain way.

9. My designer sweat shirt was $7

Korea has one of the best knock-off or counterfeit industries in the world. You can find “designer” sweat shirts, purses, shirts, sun glasses, and pretty much anything for SUPER CHEAP.

10. PSA: Where are the big dogs?

Everywhere you look there are small, toy-sized Korean pups. Koreans stuff their small dogs into backpacks or roll them around town in designer strollers. Dogs are like fashion accessories here. Think Paris Hilton circa 2005.

There are very few big dogs. *tears* Please send huskies and labs to my Korean address. Thank you.

11. Bath houses.

A jjimjilbang is a large, sex-segregated public bathhouse in Korea, equipped with showers, tubs, saunas and massage tables. It costs about $8 to spend the day at the spa relaxing in different tubs and saunas. You can also sleep at a jjimjilbang (super cheap accommodation option).

12. Karaoke is COMPLETELY different here

Noraebang is a Korean style karoke room. You pay like $10 for drinks and a private room for you and your friends. In the room, there are snacks, drinks, a huge TV, a microphone, and disco lights. There’s a huge book of different songs to pick from. It’s weird, yet very very fun.

13. Old Korean people are more fit than you will ever be.

Korea is the fittest, most active country I have ever been to. There are loads of older people hiking, riding bikes, and at the gym. The grandmas and grandpas pass me heading up the mountain. They drink rice wine, eat kimbap, and laugh on the mountain while I question whether I’m going to make it.

14. “GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY”- Korean person screaming at me

This isn’t something I’ve talked about before because I’m white. I will not and cannot talk about racism, because I am white. My one or two instances in Korea will never equate to the abuse immigrants experience in the states. But, it has been enlightening and interesting to be on the other side of things. (Reason #192374 to travel.)

I will say: Koreans don’t always love foreigners in their country. (NOT ALL, but some.) From experiences I’ve witnessed (co-teachers, friends, and strangers sharing stories in Facebook groups), being black in Korea is not easy. There’s discrimination against people of color and some hate towards foreigners in general.

15. South Korea is the second LEAST diverse country in the world (after North Korea)

This could be a reason for #14.

On most days, I walk outside and only see Korean people. Yes, I am in Korea and this is to be expected. I can’t help but stare if I see another foreigner (especially in my neighborhood). There aren’t many of us.

16. THEY ARE WATCHING YOU. ALWAYS.

CCTV is lit out here. All of my classes are recorded and maybe all of my movements in general. There are cameras everywhere. Maybe that’s why no one steals?

17. Single worst thing about living in Korea: the avocados are terrible

Avocados are expensive and not great. *tears* Mexico, I miss you.

18. Kissing in public is weird.

In South America, it’s normal to see couples dry humping on a park bench or passionately making out in a restaurant.

In Korea, I’ve NEVER seen a couple kiss in public. Ever. Couples hold hands and put their arms around each other, but kissing in public is a no-no.

19. Everyone follows the rules

No one jay-walks. No one. As a Chicagoan, it is fascinating that everyone actually waits until the light turns green to cross the street regardless of the traffic. I physically can’t wait, it’s not in my DNA to be that patient or follow rules.

20. There are animal cafes and they are terrifying.

There are hella blogs about pet cafes in Korea, so I went to a local raccoon cafe to see what the phenomenon was all about. IT IS TERRIFYING and I am embarrassed that I even went. Raccoon cafes are cruel and sad. The raccoons were overfed and kept in small places. Wild animals should not be inside for human entertainment. DO NOT GO!

21. Korean drinking culture is more intense than University of Iowa drinking culture

I was drinking rice wine with Darien a week ago and this 40-something year old man looks at us and says, “Do you know what the percentage alcohol is in what you’re drinking….?” He was implying we are pansies for drinking something with such small percentage of alcohol. He laughed at us as he chased his beer with soju, a distilled Korean beverage that tastes like diet vodka that results in a hungover from hell.

Koreans work hard and drink harder. Going out feels like I’m back at the University of Iowa but more intense. I can’t (and refuse to) keep up.

22. “The Asian Squat”

Americans often lean on walls to wait for the train or bus, Koreans squat. It’s something so foreign to me and it makes me giggle every time I see the asian squat in action. Six months into living here, I’ll admit I’ve tried it. The more you try it, the more comfortable it gets.

23. It’s normal to be shoved by a little Korean grandma on your way to work

I have been physically assaulted by a Korean ajumma (grandma) and I’m okay. It’s just part of everyday life here. In all seriousness, Korean elders will push you out of their way on the train and give you death stares. It’s endearing after awhile and I almost look forward to our interactions. (lol)

24. Men can go to a hostess bar and pay for a cute female companion.

There’s an underground culture of hostess bars. It’s one of those things that is part of a culture and everyone knows about it, but no one really talks about it. Pretty much there is a staff of women hired to chat with men who come into the bar. You have to buy drinks for the woman in order to chat. The women are paid employees. This is my understanding and it’s sort of a mystery to me still.

PSA: American women, all this time we’ve been doing this service for free. If a guy offers to buy you drink, you can accept the drink and choose not talk to him. If he’d like to buy you a drink AND talk to you, it’s extra ($$).

25. Koreans eat, sleep, and live with their toothbrushes.

Never have I ever witnessed a culture brush their teeth so much. Before lunch, after lunch, after a snack, just for fun – it’s confusing and I’m not sure what else to say about it.

26. Don’t say anything bad about anyone!!!! (or you could be sued)

I may be sued for this blog post, but I’m choosing to risk my life for your entertainment. (lol) Defamation is actually very serious and if you are living or traveling in Korea, BE CAREFUL. Do not write (or say) anything bad about someone else that is false or could hurt someone’s reputation. The laws are strict and you may get sued.

27. Koreans slurp, burp, and spit EVERYWHERE!

Koreans may not be talking in public places, but they’re not shy when it comes to making bodily noises. I’ve heard it’s polite to slurp your ramen and shows the chef that you enjoyed your meal.

28. Koreans are one year older than the rest of the world and it’s confusing.

My kindergarteners are 5 years old Korean age, but really 4 years old American age and on January 1st, they are one year older and they don’t turn a year older on their actual birthday. Get it? Me neither.

29. There’s a famous sex museum and outdoor park with penis statues in Korea.

If you ever want to wander around a park with penis and vagina statues, COME TO KOREA! There’s a famous place called Love Land located on Jeju Island where tourists pay $8 to walk around a sex themed park.

30. There is not a single outdoor trash can.

Public trash cans are just not a thing. My pockets and purse are stuffed with wrappers and receipts.

Tip: there are trash cans inside the convenience stores.

31. When in doubt: bow.

Nowadays, my first reaction is to bow. Meet a new Korean friend? Bow. Someone gets into the elevator? Bow. Can’t remember how to say something in Korean? Bow. A stranger tries to speak to me in Korean? Bow.

Why does everyone bow? It’s a traditional gesture for saying hi, thank you, goodbye, and show respect. It’s become second nature. Sometimes I feel like I over-bow. I question the quality of my bow. Should I be bowing lower? I’m afraid I’ll come back from Korea and continue to awkwardly bow for the rest of my life (lol).

32. There are fish that look like penises in the market.

I’ll end this list with a bang. I know this fish can’t ONLY be in Korea, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a penis fish in my life.

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Hope you enjoyed my list of strange things about South Korea! Have you been to Korea? What else would you add to the list? What strange traditions or cultural experiences have you witnessed while traveling?

Thinking about teaching in South Korea?

• How to Teach in South Korea
• Pros and Cons to Teaching Abroad
• FAQ: Teaching in Korea (everything you need to know)

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