SOUTH KOREAN CULTURE: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, GASTRONOMY, RELIGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of South Korea is a millenary expression that is present in its most ancient lifestyle and customs, which give a preferential place to the family and respect for ancestors.

And although its attachment to tradition is one of the main characteristics of its people, this has not prevented the country from dreaming of the future and aiming without hesitation towards a modern life, full of advances never seen before.

South Korean New Year.

Source: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service.

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South Korea has overcome invasions, territorial divisions, wars, revolutions, dictatorships, and assassinations, to become one of the most successful economies on the planet.

Learn about the facts that contributed to their formation below, starting with the answer to the question many ask: Why are there two Koreas?

The division of Korea

Before World War II, there was only one Korea, which was under the rule of the Japanese Empire.

In 1945, after the culmination of the war and the surrender of Japan, the Allies divided the peninsula into two sovereign nations. The United States occupied the south, establishing its boundary at the 38th Parallel and the Soviet Union (now Russia) dominated the northern part.

By 1948, South Korea already had its first president, Syngman Rhee (1875-1965) who led the country for a long term of twelve years that did not guarantee the stability or peace of the nation.

The Korean War

In 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea, an action that prompted the intervention of troops from the United States and the United Nations (UN).

Three years later, the new war ended, leaving in its wake an estimated two million deaths and the signing of an armistice that re-established the border of both countries near the 38th Parallel, in addition to the creation of a 4 km demilitarized zone. wide between the two nations.

From instability to progress

President Rhee's long presidential term culminated in his resignation in 1960 due to protest movements against him over allegations of electoral fraud.

This event was followed by other periods of instability that included dictatorships, assassinations and a repression, the harshness of which was made evident during the so-called "Gwangju Massacre" (1980) in which thousands of civilians who opposed the Chun dictatorship perished. Doo-hwan (1931).

In 1987, the first free, direct and democratic elections in South Korea were held, in which Roh Tae-Woo (1932) was victorious.

Just one year later, the 1988 Seoul Olympics showed the world that the South Korean country was evolving by leaps and bounds and was eager to expand across the globe.

Current conformation

South Korea currently has a representative democracy, which allows the election by direct vote of a president for a single five-year term.

The South Korean president commands the country's armed forces and is in charge of appointing a Prime Minister, who occupies the role of Head of Government, performing many of the functions of the Executive Branch.

Territorial division

The country is made up of nine provinces, a special autonomous province, seven autonomous cities, including Seoul, its capital, as well as numerous islands that border the peninsula.

Official name

South Korea is actually called the Republic of Korea, but that name is used so as not to create confusion with its neighbors to the North, whose real name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Custom

- South Koreans are not publicly affectionate people, so they do not offer their hands or kiss when they meet someone or say hello. In these cases they choose to bow.

- They also do not tend to kiss or hug in public with their partners, since this behavior, so natural in Western countries, is not well seen in South Korea.

- They like to enjoy food in silence and leave the conversation for the after dinner.

- They do not usually tip any service provided.

- South Koreans drink beer frequently, but their favorite drink is soju, a crystalline liquor made from rice, similar to vodka.

- They are also very superstitious and, unlike some western countries where 13 is considered unlucky, for them it is the number 4 that they do not want to see anywhere.

recommendations

- If you are invited to a house, always bring a gift. Items such as flowers, chocolates, or liquor are welcome.

- You must take off your shoes when entering a home, as this is the custom in this country.

- If you deliver or receive an object, always perform this act using both hands.

Traditions

Hanbok

This is typical North Korean dress, and although most South Koreans dress in the Western style, they still revere this garment that keeps them attached to their history. It is often used in artistic presentations, weddings and national celebrations.

Photo by Afif Kusuma on Unsplash

The pieces of the suit have different names in their feminine and masculine variants. men's hanbok consists of a jeogory (jacket) in addition to baji (pants). For their part, women wear a jeogor i with a chima (skirt).

Jesa

For the people of South Korea, their deceased relatives are very important and they often express their affection and respect for them through rituals designed to honor their memory.

Jesa is any ceremony that is performed for those who are no longer in this world. In fact, the ritual takes on more depth when learning about the South Korean belief that the spirit of deceased relatives remains on earth for four more generations.

There are at least two types of jesa: the kije ritual, to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the family member, and the charye, which is celebrated at large traditional events such as Chuseok or Seollal.

Altar for the jesa rite. pcamp

Chuseok

It is about Thanksgiving in South Korea. It is celebrated in September, during the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.

During this day, which lasts for three days, South Koreans travel to their place of origin where they perform rituals of gratitude to their deceased loved ones, and then celebrate as a family in the company of delicious traditional dishes.

On that day, they eat a dessert called songpyeon, a crescent-shaped rice cake with a sweet filling, which is steamed and served on pine needles.

South Korea New Year

Also known as Seollal, it is an activity carried out on the first day of the lunar calendar that serves to close cycles and establish new goals for the new year that begins.

On this date, South Koreans also travel to their places of origin, perform rituals in honor of their deceased, dine with relatives, participate in traditional games and wear the traditional costume or hanbok.

Likewise, ceremonies of reverence for the elderly are performed; and the older ones give money to the younger ones.

White day

Every March 14, exactly one month after Valentine's Day, men present their girlfriends with white gifts in appreciation for their gifts on February 14.

The tradition began in 1965 with a marshmallow seller who introduced the tradition, but this has changed over time and only the color of this sweet has remained as a trace of its origin. Today, white gifts range from chocolates, flowers, accessories, etc.

Black day

And as an antagonist to White Day, South Koreans are counting on a Black Day. This activity, which takes place on April 14, is the occasion for singles to go out and mourn their bitterness at being alone.

The fact that he is called "black" highlights the importance that this culture gives to the marriage union, highlighting how dark and sad it is to not have a partner or the impossibility of forming a home in the near future.

Over time, young people have changed the way they see this activity. Currently many take this day to celebrate their freedom, considering themselves happy to be alone and not yet have the responsibility of a family on their shoulders.

Changing of the honor guard

It is an activity that locals and strangers love. It is about the change of the guard of honor of the palaces of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) that are in Seoul.

This colorful ceremony is recreated in the Gyungbokgung, the Deolsugung and the Changdeokgung palaces to the delight of those who want to see the typical costumes of the royal guard and a ritual of respect and hierarchy.

Source: Pixabay.com

Gastronomy

South Korean cuisine is characterized by its fresh ingredients, with dishes made from rice, vegetables, meats and seaweed. This cuisine tends to use less fat than its neighbors China and Japan, and also frequently fuses the use of ferments to enhance the flavor of its meals.

Fermented soybeans

This tendency to sour taste is present in South Korean gastronomy through the use of jang, known as the basic seasoning of this land, which comes from the fermentation of soybeans.

There are three types of jang: Gang-jang (fermented soy sauce), Doen-Jang (fermented soybean paste, and Gochu-Jang (spicy red pepper paste).

Kimchi

This emblematic dish from South Korea is made with fermented Chinese cabbage that can be preserved for use at the precise moment, since it is placed in jars that are taken to the refrigerator for months to ferment. According to experts, the more sour the better.

Over time the recipe included garlic and spices, until it reached a variety that includes salted cabbages and red peppers, called kimchi Beachu, which has become one of the most famous versions of this dish.

kimchi. Source: pixabay.com

Bibimbap

This literally means "mixed food" and the preparation of the dish lives up to its name.

The diner receives a bowl of rice with vegetables, meat, eggs, seafood, which before eating it must stir and add sesame oil and gochu-jang. A visual delight at first, which later turns into a mix of unmatched flavors and textures.

Bibimbap

Source: by moriza (a flickr user)

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Jajangmyeon

It consists of a plate of thick wheat noodles topped with a dark sauce made with black bean sauce, meat or seafood, plus diced vegetables.

Although the jajangmyeon has its origin in China, it was quickly adopted by South Korea, until it became a classic of this country.

Jajangmyeon

Source: stu_spivack

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Gomguk

Also known under the name Gomtang, it is a soup made with various types of beef, such as ribs, brisket and tail, which acquires a milky appearance with a very deep flavor and aroma.

Gomguk.

Source: 뚱표 아빠 의 세상사 는 이야기

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Jjim

This is not a specific dish, as Jjim is actually the term used for certain steamed dishes.

Thus, among the dishes made under this type of cooking are the galbijjim, cooked with beef ribs, diced potato and carrots dipped in gang-jang; the Agujjim, made with eel fish and bean sprouts; and dubujjim, made from tofu.

Religion

In South Korea, Christianity occupies the top faith preference among believers. It is estimated that the Protestant Church, with all its aspects, surpasses the Catholic Church, which is in third place after Buddhism.

These beliefs, however, are mostly overcome by those who refuse to belong to any type of religion.

There are also other minority religions, including Islam, Jeungism, Daesunism, Cheondonism, and Won Buddhism.

Music

The voice is the focal point of Korean sounds that are characterized by the presence of drums, stringed instruments such as the gayageum and haegeum, and wind instruments such as the daegeum.

Traditional music is the common thread of local dances, which are divided into national or foreign traditional ones, referring to those that originated in other Asian countries, but are already part of the South Korean tradition.

Among the types of dance is the court dance, or jungjae, which was used in the royal courts and is divided into the categories dangak jeongjae and hyangak jeongjae.

On the other hand, folk dances are classified into three: Seungmu (of Buddhist origin), Taepyeongmu (dance that cries out for the peace of the country) and Nong-ak (dance of farmers), which is characterized by its acrobatics.

There are also two types of masked balls that are usually presented at popular festivals.

K-pop

Traditional music does not lose its place in South Korea, but this Asian giant has a powerful musical genre that has crossed the borders of the country and language, gaining millions of followers around the world. We refer to Korean pop, better known as K-pop.

In the 1990s, the first forays into this musical style began to be heard, which combines pop, dance, pop ballad, electronic music, rock, heavy metal, hip hop and R&B.

This type of music is performed by young people who accompany their songs with impressive audiovisual material, especially during concerts, which sends a more powerful message to the followers of this musical genre.

The overwhelming success of songs from South Korea, such as Gangnam Style (2012) performed by PSY, demonstrated the reach of pop music from that country, which still seems to have not released its best letter in the West.

Although this seems to be around the corner if we take into account the new alliances established between South Korean artists with Western production houses, with the aim of further expanding the music of South Korea.

References

1. North Korea and South Korea: The Story of 63 Years of Conflict. (2013). Taken from the republica.pe
2. Why did Korea separate into South and North? (2018). Taken from unotv.com
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic Information Office. South Korea. Republic of Korea. (2019). Taken from exterior.gob.es
4. K-pop, the musical triumph of South Korea. (2018). Taken from eluniverso.com
5. Study in South Korea. Culture and traditions. (2020). Taken from universia.net.mx