We present you a new article about interesting facts about South Korea. As always, a sea of ​​useful facts, interesting materials, little-known and unusual data awaits you. It's all listed below!

1. South Korea is a small country located on the Korean Peninsula in the center of East Asia.
2. In history South Korea There is a well-known myth about the emergence of the Korean nation. It tells that thousands of years BC the god Hwanung descended to earth and created a woman with a bear. After that, they got married and had a son, Tangun, the future founder of Korea. In 2333 BC. he founded the country of Joseon (the great-grandfather of current Korea). It is interesting to know that the name Joseon translates to “Land of Morning Freshness.”
3. Seoul is the capital of South Korea. The city's population is about 10.5 million people. According to this indicator, Seoul is on the 9th place in the ranking of the most populated cities in the world. The first place in the ranking is occupied by Shanghai with a population of 18 million people. - interesting fact.
4. Did you know that the population density of the capital of South Korea is 17,300 people/km2! The first place in the world in this indicator is occupied by the Indian city of Mumbai with a density of 20,700 people/km2! Seoul is only eighth.
5. In 1910, Korea became a colonial state. The country remained in this status until 1945.
6. North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 with the goal of creating a unified communist state. The UN intervened in the course of the war, as a result of which hostilities were stopped in 1953. Today, there are no official ties between the countries, and the border between them is one of the most dangerous and militarized areas in the world. Technically, both states are at war.
7. The Korean language is considered original. However, it has many elements from Chinese and Japanese. This is due to the fact that both countries have had great influence on Korea throughout history. About 1,300 Chinese characters are actively used in modern Korean.
8. Long before the advent of the religion of Confucianism, in the territories South Korea Shamanism was widespread, but it never had official status.
9. According to official estimates by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the population of South Korea has the highest IQ in the world! Also, Korean scientists are the world's leading experts in the field of mathematics and modern technology - an interesting fact.
10. This eastern state has the most modern and sophisticated IT infrastructure in the world. Korea can also boast of the world's leading brands in the field of information technology. The most famous companies are Samsung and LG.
11. The country is among the TOP 5 largest car manufacturers in the world. The most popular brands are Hyundai and Kia.
12. Interesting fact about South Korea: Full Gospel Church in Yeouido is the most visited Christian temple in the world! Every week the church has more than 20 thousand parishioners.
13. The most visited museum in Seoul is the Trick Eye Museum. More information about it and other attractions can be found in ours.
14. South Korea is the world's largest shipbuilder!
15. Seoul National University has cloned a dog for the first time!
16. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea has developed the world's second humanoid robot that can move independently on two "legs."
17. Scientists from South Korea have created “EveR-1” - the second female android in the world! - interesting fact.
18. South Korea is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. There are 480 people per 1 km2.
19. Did you know that a country with a population of 50 million people occupies an area of ​​only 99,392 km 2 .
20. The dominant religion in South Korea is Christianity (29% of the population). The second religion by the number of professers is Buddhism (23%). More than 46% of the population are agnostics and atheists.
21. Did you know that GDP per capita in 1963 was only $100, but now it has reached $29,000.
22. Interesting fact: the extinct Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island is the highest point in the South Korean state. Its height is 1950 m above sea level.
23. There are more than 20 national parks throughout the country.
24. The residence of the President of South Korea is called the “Blue House”. This is the largest building on the peninsula.
25. In 1988, the Summer Olympic Games were held in Seoul, where the South Koreans took 4th place. It is interesting to know that at the 2012 Summer Olympics in , the team South Korea entered the top five teams. Let us remind you that the United States of America took first place at these games.
26. South Korea's economy ranks 14th in the world, and the country is also the 6th largest exporter and 10th largest importer in the world - an interesting fact.
27. The South Korean government has provided ultra-fast Internet access to educational institutions at all levels. The first digital textbooks have also been developed here, which children and students will use to study. A complete transition to an e-learning system is planned for 2013.
28. The word "eSports" and all professional video game competitions first appeared in South Korea! It is worth noting that the game “Starcraft” has gained incredible popularity in the country. Championships of all levels were held here, entire leagues and clans were even created. Official statistics say: more than 500 thousand only licensed copies were sold in the country!
29. Interesting fact: the martial art of Taekwondo was invented in Korea.
30. It has been proven that Europeans first appeared in South Korea in the late 1600s. It was the crew of a Dutch merchant ship.
31. Hangan is the longest river in the country. It has been the main source of water for thousands of years.
32. For their excellent economic performance and the development of modern technologies, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan are called the “Four Asian Tigers”!

Well, that's all the interesting facts. Stay a little and look

South Korea is a state covered in high-rise buildings and narrow-eyed residents. Well, this is it, briefly, without going into details at all.

How Koreans live, how they work and relax - about all this, read on for interesting facts about Korea

Korea is considered one of the safest countries in the world. In any case, you can safely walk alone at night and not be afraid that some parasite will complain about you or your property.

Baseball and golf are the most popular games in Korea. And those whose age no longer allows them to run with a stick - welcome to the mountains. Hiking in the mountains can rightfully be considered the third type of “game”.

Residents of Korea are not only narrow-eyed, they are also in the majority and wear glasses. By the way, absolutely regardless of age. Well, they're not born that way, are they? Although, perhaps they have an altered gene responsible for vision.

The dentist is the most expensive doctor in Korea. Therefore, residents not only constantly chew gum, they also carry toothbrushes with them and can start tidying up their oral cavity in any toilet with a washbasin.

Koreans never rest. And the word “vacation” is generally absent as such in their everyday life.

Maximum - a few days "at your own expense." And then - either study or go to work, please.

Motels in Korea are like ants - at every turn. And all because guys do not have the right to invite a girl to their house.

For Koreans, food is sacred. No one here is interested in how someone is doing or who has been doing what all day. The first question is always "Have you eaten?" And if the answer is “no,” consider yourself to have committed a crazy sin.

Here are more interesting facts about Korea. Family freedom in the form of male infidelity is like “hello” here. Wives almost never work here, and young girls do not shy away from the geisha profession.

In Korean beer bars, you can't just walk in and order a glass of steamy hops. Beer snacks are a must here.

You will never believe what a park there is in Korea! This is not even a park, but an area “strewn” with male phalluses.

Korea is famous for its cult of small dogs. Porket dogs are everywhere here. And they are also necessarily painted in different colors, and in general they do full “dog fashion”.

The male half of the Korean population is very attracted to alcohol. And every representative knows a lot of games “for a feast”, the ultimate “goal” of which is to get drunk and forget.

Korean people are very kind and polite to everyone. Both to tourists and to “our own people”. They, just like us, love to visit coffee corners and treat themselves to good coffee.

But, unlike us, they do this several times more often, after almost every meal. For now, we are clearly inferior to them in this.

1. Korea is a very safe country. A girl may not be afraid to walk through a residential area alone at night.

2. Major crime cases 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 trees 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.

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 one of the favorite pastimes for Koreans.

8. 90% of Koreans are nearsighted and have to wear glasses or contact lenses. Glasses have been worn since childhood.

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.

10. To open Google, many Koreans 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 are 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. The most hardworking people in the world are the people of South Korea - according to Forbes.

14. Domestic product is highly supported in Korea, so many imported products such as toothpastes, gum, sanitary pads, chips, etc. cannot be found.

15. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy.

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.

18. 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 state educational institution can only be fired by the president himself. This profession is extremely respected and highly paid.

21. Overweight Koreans are very rare.

22. Korean women take good care of their skin and hair and use a huge amount of cosmetics and beauty products. Korean women do not go out without makeup.

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

24. All Koreans sing well and therefore love karaoke. (I doubt it))))

25. Everyone has cell phones, even homeless people.

26. Any phone can be borrowed for two years.

27. In Korea, the height of shopping begins after 7–8 pm and in some areas continues until late at night.

28. When the first night of the new year arrives, all South Koreans hide their shoes. They believe that at this time the spirit comes and tries on all the shoes that it comes across. If the spirit chooses a pair of shoes according to its own taste, it takes it for itself. It is believed that in this case the owner of the boots will suffer bad luck throughout the year.

29. Every single guy is required to undergo military service, unless he is disabled.

30. There is a cult of food in Korea. Instead of “how are you?” Koreans ask “Did you eat well?”

31. Koreans eat a lot and variety. Kimchi and other snacks are required at the table. Lunch is rarely limited to just one dish.

32. Any Korean will tell you about any Korean dish that it is incredibly healthy.

33. In Korea, dairy products are chic.

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

35. 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.

36. In elevators of multi-storey buildings there is no fourth floor (the word “sa” - “fourth”, also sounds like “death”), so it is usually designated by the letter “F” or the third is immediately followed by the fifth floor. The basement is designated by the letter "B".

37. Most married Korean women do not work while raising children.

38. All older women look the same: the same short hairstyles, the same clothes, the same hats.

Of course, I would like to see and find out everything in person, but unfortunately there is no such opportunity yet. Therefore, it is quite interesting to read about the people, traditions and characteristics of certain countries from the people who are there.

For example, South Korea is a country with quite a long history and rich traditions. Now, just look around, Korean videos are broadcast on television, Korean goods are taking over the market, Korean technologies are ahead of many countries! Would you like to know more about the country that is so actively trying to get closer to us?

Here are some details...

beauty

1. Korean women wear a lot of cosmetics. Very. A lot. If you try to count the number of products for evening care, you will get about ten of them: makeup removing oil, cleansing foam, scrub or peeling, face mask, toner, essence, lotion (yes, this is not the same as tonic ), serum or emulsion, cream, sheet mask and, finally, an overnight mask. Just imagine how much time and money Korean women spend on personal care!

2. Lovers of Korean cosmetics in Russia are sure that nothing can be better than Korean brands. But Korean women do not notice their happiness and dream of owning the coveted jars of L'oreal and similar brands! The fact is that imported products in Korea are more expensive than their own, and therefore the mass market for us is approaching “luxury” for them.

3. Guys and men also like to take care of themselves. If European brands limit themselves to the production of men's lines with shaving and cleansing products, then Korean brands do everything for men that they do for women - from facial wash to BB and CC cream. And, by the way, carrying a mirror with you is just as common for Koreans as it is for Korean women.

4. In cases where cosmetics are not enough, Koreans and Korean women resort to plastic surgery without any hesitation. “Plastic surgery” in South Korea is the same as for us, for example, going to the hairdresser is a common thing. The phenomenon of plastic surgery “as a gift” to children from their parents upon graduation from school or university is also considered common.

5. It’s hard to believe, but every fifth Korean woman has already had plastic surgery. And the most popular operation is to change the shape of the eyes.

6. To avoid spending on dentists, which in South Korea can hit the pocket quite hard, Koreans take very good care of their teeth. And if you can find anything you want in a Russian girl’s purse, then in a Korean girl’s purse you can find anything you want, including a toothbrush :)

7. Koreans rarely suffer from excess weight, and the main advantage of almost all Korean women is slender and thin legs.

8. Speaking of legs. Korean women love and often wear minis - this is not considered something shameful, but wearing a dress or blouse with a large neckline is no longer permissible.

9. Koreans and Korean women take care not only of their faces, but also of their bodies. One of the favorite rituals in Korea is visiting a bathhouse. In Seoul alone there are about 3,000 bathhouses or, as they are called in Korea, jimchilbans.

10. Appearance is almost in the first place for Koreans. If you look tired and shabby, they will certainly tell you about it, but not to insult you, but solely to help you :)

Food

11. One of the main passions of all Koreans is food. They love to eat tasty and a lot. If you order a dish in a cafe or restaurant, it will probably come with several additional appetizers and salads.

12. Products in Korean stores are quite expensive, so it is often cheaper to eat in cafes and restaurants than to cook yourself.

13. Koreans love to bargain, for them it is something like an integral part of the shopping process! If you know the language and find yourself on the market, then be sure to try to reduce the price of the product you like, if only for the sake of interest, rest assured, you will be able to get the desired product 3-5 times cheaper.

14. If you find yourself in South Korea and want to drink tea, it will be problematic to do so. There is practically no tea there, as we understand it, and instead of it, Koreans usually drink decoctions of various herbs.

15. But here you can find coffee at every step; Koreans adore it.

16. Restaurants and cafes can be divided into four categories: Korean, Japanese, Chinese and European. The most expensive and prestigious ones are Japanese ones, followed by European ones, and Chinese and Korean ones you can find both very expensive and very simple eateries.

17. Tipping is not customary in South Korea, and attempting to do so can greatly offend the waiter.

18. Koreans love to drink and there is even a special ritual called “hoeshik”, according to which colleagues should gather at a bar after work and drink together once a month or even more often. If you refuse to drink on "hoeshik", then you will be considered a person with oddities :)

19. The main product on the Korean table is rice. It is used as a side dish, and regular rice porridge with water is often eaten instead of bread to take the edge off the spice. You must finish eating the rice, and if you leave it on the plate, you will be considered a very rude person.

20. In Korea it is customary to slurp. Koreans don’t even think about the fact that this might look indecent, because in this way they show the cook that they really liked the dish. Of course, it’s not customary to do this deliberately loudly and provocatively :) But chewing with your mouth open or talking until you’ve chewed food is considered bad manners, just like with us.

Life style

21. One of the manifestations of friendship for Koreans is touching. Don't be surprised if you see guys on the streets of Korea patting each other on the shoulder, fiddling with their hair and even giving each other a light neck massage :)

24. Popular sports are baseball and golf. Baseball is played by children and adults, while golf is fun for middle-aged people. Another type of physical activity that all Koreans love to do is going to the mountains.

25. When to go to Korea? Depends on what you want to do. If you are a fan of skiing, then winter is the ideal time, but if you prefer to bask in the sun, then go on a trip in the summer, as South Korea has many beaches, and if you just want to admire this country, then plan your trip in the spring, when sakura blossoms everywhere, or in the fall, when the leaves turn yellow.

26. If you decide to write a letter or postcard to a Korean, then put red ink aside, as it is believed that the name written with it will bring trouble and even death to the person.

27. Respect for elders is the most important thing in Korean etiquette. Before going to this country, you should carefully study all types of requests so as not to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

28. Serving in the army in Korea is considered prestigious, so many K-pop stars go to serve even despite their career.

29. Another interesting fact about the Korean army: there is no deferment for Korean students, but those who have only primary school education are not accepted into the army.

30. Young couples in Korea cannot just decide to “live together”, as this is considered immoral. Those who dare to do this will be condemned not only by their elders, but also by their peers. A couple can move into the same apartment only after the wedding.

Education

31. To get an education in South Korea, you will have to pay a tidy sum; it is really expensive. By the way, unlike Russia, legal education is much less popular in South Korea.

33. The academic year in a Korean school is divided not into quarters, but into semesters and, accordingly, schoolchildren rest not four, but twice a year: in the summer from mid-July to the end of August and in the winter from mid-February to early March.

34. In almost all Korean schools, students wear uniforms.

35. Physical education is not considered a compulsory subject in many schools in South Korea; it is usually introduced as an additional discipline.

36. Koreans study in elementary school for 6 years, in middle and high school - for 3 years. Then you can go to college for 2 years, and then to university for 4.

37. Although you can study at school for only 12 years, you will not be able to literally become a “twelfth grader.” The fact is that after the 6th grade of primary school there is the first grade of secondary school and education ends, accordingly, after the 3rd grade of high school.

38. Exams at Korean universities are a serious test. It even goes so far that newspapers publish reminders so that girls do not overdo it with perfume and do not wear high-heeled shoes, so as not to distract themselves and those around them from fateful exams.

39. A unique form of our Unified State Exam is also available in Korea. Almost all exams and tests take the form of tests and students just need to remember a huge list of correct answers.

40. The high school program in Korea prepares the student for further study in a specific specialty, however, it is not necessary to complete it.

Job

41. Koreans are very hardworking. The school daily routine continues at work - the working day begins at 7.30-9.00 depending on the company and ends late in the evening. Although officially the working day should last until 18.00, many Koreans try not to leave before their boss.

42. By the way, it is customary for only men to wait for their bosses to leave; women can leave earlier.

43. A 30-day vacation for Koreans is an unaffordable luxury. Some companies literally force their employees to go on vacation for one or two weeks, as stubborn Koreans refuse to rest in order to prove their professionalism to their superiors.

44. Living in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is quite expensive, so many who work in this city buy housing in the suburbs, where everything is comparatively cheaper, but saving money comes at the cost of travel time.

45. There are only 11 official days off in Korea.

46. ​​If public holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday, they are not moved to Monday, so some years are especially difficult for Koreans.

47. Koreans spend their single weekends with their families - they go to visit each other or go out into nature together.

48. It is difficult for bank employees to stay in one place for a long time. The fact is that many bosses believe that in 2-3 years an employee has too many acquaintances and connections and they become higher for him than the interests of the company.

49. Competition in South Korea is very strong. If an employee nevertheless decides to go on a long vacation, then when he returns, he will most likely find his place occupied.

50. Even in a small family business, the same strict rules apply as in large corporations: exactly the same long working hours and exactly the same short vacations.

Family

51. A marriage proposal in Korea is usually made purely formally, when a restaurant has already been booked and a guest list has been drawn up. Why then do this at all? It's simple - to make the future bride happy :)

52. Wealthy families hold two weddings - in a European style and in a traditional Korean one.

53. The head of the family in Korea is always a man, this is not discussed.

54. A husband and wife should not quarrel and scold friends in the presence of older relatives.

56. Even within a family circle, it is not customary to address each other by name; this amounts to an insult. There is a special respectful treatment for each family member.

57. A pregnant wife is treated very carefully in a Korean family; all close relatives try to look after her and show all possible care. But the meeting from the maternity hospital is not as festive as in Russia.

58. It is customary for children in Korea to be greatly pampered; they are not denied practically anything, but in return they are required to give a lot of effort in terms of their studies.

59. Children are raised mainly by mothers, since fathers spend most of the day at work and return closer to night and communicate with their children mainly on weekends. However, the father is still the authority for the child.

60. In Korea, the husband’s parents are called “in-law” in relation to the child, and the wife’s parents are called “external”. But these are just names; usually both “relative” and “external” grandparents communicate with children equally enthusiastically :)

Anyone who is familiar with South Korea and has lived there, will you correct me? Or add...

South Korea is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Asia is fascinated by Korean food, music and TV programs. Its influence rivals that of China and Japan. And the Boston Consulting Group even called this country the most innovative in the world. Not bad for a state founded only in 1948! “The Land of Morning Freshness” is just gaining momentum and is full of curious customs and interesting facts.

Alcohol

Drinking is an important part of the culture of South Korean society. There are some serious rules here. If your elder pours you a beer, you should hold the glass with both hands. If you're pouring for an older person, hold the bottle with both hands. Only elderly people or those in power can use one hand. In addition, you should always wait until your elder starts drinking.

Even if you don't drink, you should take the first serving offered. Always leave some alcohol in the glass and never add your own.

Red ink

Every society has its own strange superstitions. Koreans can't stand red ink. It is believed that if you write someone's name with a red pen, the person will soon get into serious trouble. He might even die. Some people believe that red ink wards off demons and protects the dead, but with living people the opposite works.

Proper Handshake

Not long ago, Bill Gates excited the South Korean media at a meeting with President Park Geun-hye. His action was considered inappropriate and even an indecent gesture. What did the billionaire do? When Gates extended his right hand to the president for a handshake, he left his left in his pants pocket. In South Korea, one hand can be used to shake hands with a friend, peer, or someone younger than you. But a senior person or authority figure should always shake hands with both hands.

South Korean education

South Korean students are extraordinarily bright and intelligent, ranking second in the world in terms of their level of erudition. It's all about special private educational institutions. Children attend these academies from an early age to study subjects ranging from maths and science to taekwondo, ballet and belly dancing. The best teachers attract huge numbers of students, and some teachers become so popular that they earn several million dollars a year. It should be noted that Korean parents shell out $17 billion a year to educate their children in such academies.

There is also another side to the education coin in South Korea. Students who do not perform well on the main CSAT test cannot be accepted into prestigious colleges; their dreams are limited to the most unsuccessful educational institutions. This system has led to the fact that the state has a very high rate of student suicides.

Korean-Japanese rivalry

In the past, Japan had a "bad habit" of invading the Korean Peninsula. In 1910, the Japanese conquered Korea and ruled the country very harshly, forcing Koreans to practice Shinto and speak Japanese. During World War II, the Japanese military forced nearly 200,000 Korean women to work in brothels throughout China.

According to a 2012 poll about the countries Koreans despise the most, Japan led the rankings by a landslide, with a whopping 44.1% of the votes.

Skirt controversy

Even though South Korea is very conservative, miniskirts and micro shorts are almost always in fashion here. Such clothing is considered the norm even for business women. But it was not always so. From 1963 to 1979, dictator Park Chung-hee ruled here, under whose regime it was considered illegal to wear skirts that ended 20 cm above the knee (or even higher). The regime was so strict that even the length of women's hair was determined by law.

"Toilet" - theme parks

There are plenty of weird theme parks around the world, but South Korea is home to some of the weirdest ones. It's home to the world's first toilet-themed amusement park, which opened in 2012 in honor of beloved ex-mayor Shim Jae-duk, nicknamed "Mr. Toilet." He was obsessed with toilets, and his goal was to provide hygienic toilets to humanity and teach the world how to maintain them.

Plastic surgery

According to a 2009 survey, one in five women in South Korea has undergone plastic surgery. Here this is considered an absolutely normal phenomenon, and many schoolgirls are even given plastic surgery as a gift by their parents at graduation.

Bullfight

There are no bullfights, matadors or red capes in South Korea. Bullfighting is simply bull against bull. Farmers select animals with large horns, thick necks and stocky torsos. Fighting bulls undergo special training programs and are fed special diets consisting of fish, live octopus and snakes.

Terminator jellyfish

The world's oceans have been invaded by hordes of jellyfish, and a team of scientists must develop robots that can fight the deadly creatures. Sounds like a sci-fi movie? But that's not true! This is happening off the coast of South Korea and very soon could become a problem for the entire planet. The number of jellyfish around the world is increasing and this is causing a number of problems, disrupting commercial fishing and also forcing tourists to stay away from beaches. In this regard, scientists from the Korean Institute of Advanced Science and Technology have teamed up to fight the jelly-like horde. They invented special robots JEROS (Jellyfish Elimination Robotic Swarm), which hunt and destroy any “jelly” that gets in their way.

Introduce your friends to South Korea and share this post with them!