One of the unique facts about South Korean food delivery is that once you’ve finished enjoying your meal, you can put the dishes outside of your front door and the person who delivered your food will swing back later to pick them up. As South Korea continued to develop, Spam turned into a staple food and now occupies a warm place in the hearts of Koreans. South Korea is one of the world's most densely populated countries, with an estimated 425 people per square kilometer in 1989—over sixteen times the average population density of the United States in the late 1980s. While people in other countries may or may not know their blood type, every South Korean certainly does know his or hers! Toilet paper cannot be flushed due to the delicacy of the sewage system, so the norm in South Korea is to throw used toilet paper away in trash bins next to the toilet rather than flush it down the drain. See our privacy policy for more. Monthly Living Expenses. South Korea is one of the most difficult countries to obtain refugee status. Seoul, Busan, Daegu and many more. Although navigating a city that densely populated can be a little daunting if you haven’t done it before, the city is actually very approachable and intuitive once you’ve been there for a couple of days. Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about South Korea that might be interesting to know. Stop by an internet cafe while you’re in Seoul and experience what it’s like to have super-powered internet. Fun tips, lessons, and articles on Korean language and culture, ©2013-2020 90 Day Languages LLC - All Rights Reserved. Korea is a very safe country to live and travel. Here is a list of the top 10 facts about living conditions in South Korea. However, because it’s such a normal occurrence, you won’t hear people complain about how tired they are unless you specifically bring up sleep. See our, Teaching English to Young Learners Specialty Class, Teaching Business English Specialty Class, 4-Week Intensive Online Course Dates & Tuition, Teach English Online Employer Comparison Chart, Non-Native English Speakers Teaching Abroad, Buy TEFL Course & Specialty Class Textbooks. That being said, you’re in for a virtual treat when you visit South Korea! New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is typically a party environment spent with friends at a pub, club, or house party. Many Korean students seem far more dedicated to their studies than some of my students back home, but again, each student/person is different. Is that considered unlucky too??? Don’t end up feeling like a fish out of water when you land in Korea! The study compared life table data and mortality statistics to observe the age and cause-specific contributions to life expectancy. 9. A s the Winter Olympics continue in South Korea, here we highlight some of the most interesting and quirky facts about the country.. 1. Teach English in South Korea, Teach English in Asia, Busan. One year ago, I stepped on a plane heading to Busan, South Korea, for a public school teaching contract. Another reason why I love Korea: The crime rate is incredibly low and I’ve never felt this safe before. Life in Korea. Despite their obsession with American/English speaking culture. While New Year’s is celebrated in South Korea, it’s not a huge celebration. I’ve been here going on 23 years now (not continuously), so it must be decent enough! Life Expectancy: The life expectancy rate is one of the highest in the world. Busan, South Korea English Teaching Q and A with Anne Shelton, How Teaching in Korea Helped Me Come Out (or Led Me To Come Out), 10 Companies That Let You Teach English Online Without a Degree. According to the World Health Organization, South Koreans consume an average of 12.3L of alcohol per year, and are ranked #17 in the world! However, we know extremely little about this country. The most important passages in a person’s life are the completion of a baby’s first 100 days, one’s marriage, and one’s 61st birthday. People all around the world hear about South Korea’s love for plastic surgery. Kelly 22/11/2017 - 5:02 am. South Korea actually has a strong drinking culture compared to its neighboring countries in Asia. Reply. Life in Korea. Around this time, a large percentage of Koreans travel to their hometowns to visit family. He had no idea what it meant. Its capital, Seoul, is one of its largest cities with a population of over 10 million. It is almost impossible to walk down any street without seeing at least one restaurant – or market – with live octopus or any number of sea creatures waiting to be eaten. Restaurants. This is one of many South Korean hangover cures! When I pointed out the logo on the hat and said ‘Red Sox’ she gave me a blank look. South Korea - South Korea - Daily life and social customs: The once-dominant Confucian culture—with its emphasis on respect for ancestors, age, and seniority—continues to influence Korean family, work, and social life, albeit to a lesser degree than in the past. I grew up in New England and was still shocked by the amount of seafood here. Like everywhere else, life in Korea will have its ups and downs and life in Korea may be quite different as a foreigner than it would be for a local. While teaching was familiar territory for me, TEFL was not, and living in East Asia was, well…totally foreign to me. Learning about a new country can be exciting, especially if you’re learning some fun and interesting facts along the way! Many people are curious about South Korea these days. Living in Korea offers expats an exciting live in a very advanced and modern country. If you’re planning to do any road trips around that time, make sure to factor in a few extra hours of road time! Photo credit: http://plaitingsandpairings.com. "Korean Culture." Pipes are immediately under the floor in South Korean homes, and heat passes through these pipes to send warmth up through the floor into the above apartment or home. Hanging out in the city and experiencing Korean culture is an incredible experience, but you can’t say that you truly know South Korea until you’ve experienced the natural beauty of the countryside! There’s a lot more to kimchi than meets the eye, many questions you’ll want to ask your potential partner, If you’re planning to do any road trips around that time, the way South Korea handles food delivery, ordering from a Korean barbecue restaurant or a fast-food restaurant, Learn the Korean Alphabet & Read the Hangul Characters, Korean Phrases: The Ultimate List for 2020, Korean – Overview and History of the Language, How to Speak Korean – Online Guide for Conversational Fluency, The Most Common Korean Words and Basic Vocabulary, Top 28 Korean Drama Words & Phrases for K-Drama Fans, Korean Slang – 101 Popular Words & Phrases in 2020, My Korean Name: Choose Your Very Own Name in Korean. It’s said that when South Koreans try something, they go hard at it. One of the interesting facts about South Korea is that it is a popular destination for medical tourism, specifically cosmetic surgery. People come from all across the globe to have their looks enhanced during a short trip to South Korea. It’s not considered unlucky. Before the list lets take a quick look at some general ideas about Korean history and language. The method for calculating this is a little tricky since it can vary with the lunar calendar, solar calendar, and your birthday. A population of over 51 million makes this the 27th largest country in the world based on population. Make sure you order delivery at least once while you’re in Korea to experience what all the fuss is about — most restaurants are open late night for delivery, so if you’re looking for a snack after a night out you can call in your order so you don’t even have to leave your apartment. Cherry blossom is one of the most-loved seasons in the country and can be seen in plenty. Koreans spend their Christmas day with their significant other. 설날 (seollal | Lunar New Year) is a common word in South Korea, so it’s a good word to know! Many people take their time off travel during these times. Their neighbors in Japan are also similar in that way. However, in many countries, Samsung is only known for its cutting edge cell phone technology, when in reality they’re also responsible for creating modern and reliable armored cars for military use and medical equipment among other technologies. The good news is, you don’t have to wait for that! Truth: Asian students – and people – are just as diverse as any other school/country I have been in. They're not being nosy or insulting; they're saving your life! Whether you’re a city lover or a fan of adventuring around the outdoors, South Korea truly has something for everybody! (Or don’t, if you’re worried you’ll be jealous once you return home!). In the West, we often hear news about their neighbors up North. At the border with South Korea lies the village of Kijong-dong, built in order to show the southern neighbors all the privilege of living in the North. You’ll get plenty of it as gifts! And… I love soju. However, what about Korea in general? Some will cut up the octopus and put it in a bowl. If they like the look of a shirt or hat or pair of shoes, or whatever it is, they will wear it even if they don’t understand what it is or means. These questions are usually simply a way for Koreans to find out how to relate to you. The Demilitarized Zone is a 4km wide by 248km long stretch of land that separates the North from the South on the Korean peninsula. With soaring house pricing in Seoul, it’s a possibility that the area would be demolished to build more apartment complexes. Public transportation in Korea is world-class, and is one of the pros of living in the country! Best Of The ROK. The best part about the motorcycle is that it means they can squeeze in between cars and zig-zag through traffic, so they’ll get to you way more quickly than if your food was being delivered on four wheels instead of two! The more facts you learn, the more you’ll want to know! Four shots of soju plus several beers in, and I was very pleasantly buzzed; the Koreans barely even seemed affected. !” One block down the road and you’re greeted with some amazing chicken, bulgogi, shabushabu, you name it… and your stomach instantly starts growling. Pass? South Korea boasts Asia’s fourth largest economy, yet the country struggles to find adequate placement for a workforce that is fast becoming over qualified for the few jobs that are available. While living here in South Korea, it almost feels like it’s a completely safe situation. Top 10 Facts about Living Conditions in South Korea. A side of kimchi is standard no matter where or when you’re eating a meal. The literacy rate in South Korea is more than 95%. You had better at least offer to give your seat up if an older woman gets on or be prepared to bear the wrath of her death glare. The official name for the country is the Republic of Korea. Some like K-Pop and K-Dramas, while others may be interested in speaking Korean so they can take a trip to Seoul. Having that many people live in one place means that there is a seemingly infinite number of restaurants and shops for you to check out during your trip. Almost without fail, the first question in each class the boys would ask: “Teacher, are you married?” When I answered no, it was very quickly followed up with “Teacher, do you have a boyfriend?” In addition to these, here are just a few examples of other questions I have been asked: “Teacher, how old are you?” (OK, not that terrible), “Teacher, do you have any children?” (Odd for Koreans to think you’d have kids with no boyfriend or husband…), “Teacher, is that your boyfriend?? Important South Korean teenagers to get started learning online while teaching was familiar territory for,... Jennifer is an unlucky number with a president and a rambling of cities they know… usually New York or. 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