Funny Facts About South Korea

South Korea has gained popularity all over the world for its picture-perfect dishes, BTS, K-drama, taekwondo and more. But there is so much more to this amazing country in East Asia than just that!

For instance, did you know that Koreans take their blood types very seriously? Or that they have a day similar to Valentine's Day for single people called Black Day.

1. There is a fear of the number 4

While the Western world is more worried about the number 13, many Koreans believe that four is unlucky. This is why you won’t find the fourth floor in an elevator and they prefer to give gifts in blocks of four (like four roses).

The fear of the number 4 is also known as tetraphobia and it is fairly common in Asia. In fact, there is a whole community of people who specialize in treating this condition.

A tetraphobe can be identified by their tendency to avoid the number 4, even in the most mundane tasks like cooking or cleaning. In extreme cases, they may even refuse to sleep in a room with an electric fan. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including death. Fortunately, this type of phobia can be treated with therapy.

It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of South Korea in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Busan you can rent a car from 16 euros per day, in Seoul - from 17 euros per day.

2. There is no 4th floor in an elevator

In Korea, the number four is considered to be unlucky. This is because the word for “four” sounds very similar to the Korean word for death. This is why many buildings avoid using the number four, and elevator buttons are usually replaced with the letter F.

This may seem strange, but in Korea, hierarchy is very important. Women of a certain age are known as Aunties, and they can dictate who does what and when. Also, drivers do not yield to pedestrians, even if it is a crosswalk. This is a major safety concern and can lead to serious accidents. Therefore, it is best to stake your claim to the elevator and race to it. This will ensure that you get the elevator that you want. This way, you will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

3. There is no 4th day of the month

Despite being located on a tiny patch of land in East Asia surrounded by three of the world’s superpowers, South Korea has managed to break through and rise to international fame in many different fields. From K-pop to kimchi, there is no doubt that South Korea has made its mark on the world.

However, the country is also home to some oddities that might surprise you. For instance, there is a belief that the number 4 is an unlucky number, which explains why there is no fourth floor on elevator buttons.

Additionally, crows are considered to be unlucky in Korea and people avoid eating them. People also use a red pen only to write the names of the dead, as using it in any other context could be misinterpreted. Blood types are also a major factor in romantic pairings, as it is believed to indicate personality traits.

4. There is no 4th month of the year

In many countries around the world, the zodiac sign represents a person’s personality. But in South Korea, they believe that one’s blood type is an indication of their character. This belief has led to an obsession with feces, with everything from poop-shaped cookies to a museum dedicated to the stuff.

In fact, some people even use their blood type as a dating method! This may be one of the weirdest fun facts about South Korea. It seems like this country has an endless supply of fascinating tidbits to share with the rest of the world. From a strange fear of the number 4 to the way they count their years, there’s so much to learn about this amazing nation. And the best part? K-pop is all over the world. From BTS to BLACKPINK, it’s hard not to see the “Korean wave” everywhere you go.

5. There is no 4th day of the week

There are so many interesting things about South Korea, from the fact that 20% of the country’s population is named Kim to the fact that a woman who dives for abalone and sea urchins is called a “haenyeo.” Plastic surgery is embraced here (even encouraged by parents) and Naver is used more than Google. Crime reenactment is also popular, and it’s not uncommon for suspects to be forced to recreate their crimes in public.

Interestingly, if you’re in South Korea and have an exam coming up, eating rice cakes or Korean hard taffy is said to bring luck and help you pass your test. This superstition is based on the idea that if you snack before an exam, your brain will be hungry and you’ll remember what you’ve learned. So go ahead and grab a handful of that salty snack!

6. There is no 4th day of the month

South Korea is a country that is constantly making headlines for its innovations and unique culture. But there are some things about the Land of Morning Calm that you might not know.

For starters, the number four is considered unlucky in South Korean culture. You won’t find any buildings numbered '4' or gifts given in blocks of four. The number four is also a bad luck sign in Chinese culture.

In addition, it is believed that if you give your partner shoes as a gift, they will walk away from you. Also, snacking on rice cakes before an exam is believed to help you remember what you learned. Finally, when it comes to calculating age, Koreans count differently than most other countries. They consider themselves a year older at birth and add a year each New Year’s Day.

7. There is no 4th day of the week

Located on a tiny peninsula in East Asia surrounded by three of the world’s superpowers, South Korea is a country with an impressive number of World Heritage Sites and a cuisine as delicious as its people. The ‘Hallyu’ phenomenon (K-pop, K-drama, and Korean skincare) has brought the country to international attention, but there are many other interesting facts about South Korea that aren’t as well known.

In South Korea, the number 4 is considered unlucky. You won’t find any hospital beds numbered ’4’, and you won’t see houses with the number ’4’ on their door. In addition, the number four sounds like the word for death in Korean.

Also, the number 13 is regarded as an unlucky number. In fact, the number 13 is so unlucky that you don’t even see it written on doors or elevator buttons.

8. There is no 4th day of the month

South Korea has gained a lot of interest around the world due to 'Hallyu' which includes K-pop, K-drama, Korean skincare products, and more. Despite the popularity of these things, there are still several fun facts about South Korea that most people don't know.

For instance, many South Koreans believe that the number 4 is unlucky because it sounds like the word for death. This is why you won't see a hospital bed or elevator numbered '4'. Also, you won't find a house with the number '4' written on it.

Additionally, South Koreans believe that crows are unlucky and they avoid eating crows because it is believed to be an evil omen. The country also has a law that requires suspects in criminal cases to recreate their crimes on camera. This is similar to CSI or Law & Order.

9. There is no 4th day of the week

While the world loves Valentine's Day, South Korea has its own version for women called White Day. Supposedly, single ladies who do not receive gifts on either Valentine's or White Day will meet on April 14th (or Black Day) to eat Jjajyangmyeon together and comfort themselves that they are not alone in their lonely state.

A clean-shaven look is a beauty standard in South Korea, and men with facial hair are regarded as unkempt. Interestingly, after the New Year, a Korean will be considered one year older than their international age despite being born on the same date and time as everyone else.

K-pop has brought several famous South Korean personalities into the limelight, especially BTS who have garnered a worldwide following with their unique brand of music. It is also a common belief that blood type influences personality traits.

10. There is no 4th day of the month

With K-pop, K-drama, Korean skincare, and food all the rage in the west, it is no surprise that South Korea has become one of the most popular travel destinations. In fact, it is estimated that 20% of males wear makeup in the Land of Morning Calm!

Unlike Valentine’s Day in the West, where women are lavished with chocolate and flowers, Koreans celebrate their White Day. On this day, women give their partner a gift of their choice, and the most popular gifts are Chupa Chups lollipops.

South Korea is known for its kimchi and the practice of haenyeo (sea women). The country also produces more than 90% of the world’s seaweed. Crime reenactments are a big thing in Korea, and people who have been arrested must publicly recreate their crimes. Blood type matching is also a common practice in South Korea.