How to Have Good Form in South Korea

Like any country with a rich culture, South Korea has its share of eccentricities, as well as certain Ps and Qs you need to respect and not embarrass yourself. This is a place of strong family ties and values, so the usual thoughtfulness applies: stand up for the elderly, the pregnant and the disabled. The locals will soon let you know if you’re out of line! Here’s what you need to know about Korean social culture, Korean business culture, Korean customs, Korean manners and Korean etiquette.

The people here have always had strong ties between their identity and their language. Your best bet is always to show interest in learning it: try out a local greeting with a smile – it's giving it a go that matters. Same goes for food. Try all the foods and never say 'no' to kimchi! You know the saying – ‘same, same, but different.’ Well, it's true here too, just be a good, kind person and you'll fit right into the South Korea culture. Use your phone to learn some basic phrases before you go. Try Duolingo for multiple languages, Drops if you’re a visual learner or Rosetta Stone if you’re a more auditory learner.

Photo Credit: Everything Chopsticks

Korean chopsticks are flat, metal and squarer than other Asian varieties. These days, they’re made of steel, and the ‘why’ story goes like this – during the Baekje (18 B.C.- 660 A.D.) Period, the royal family used silver chopsticks to identify poison in their food. Silver changes color when it contacts poisonous chemicals. ‘Commoners’ soon followed suit. Now, you’ll find Korean metal chopsticks on the right and a large metal spoon on the left. Koreans consider metal chopsticks as more hygienic, and they’re sterilised in boiling water or electric sterilisation units.

Photo Credit: The Asian Life

In a Korean home, the floor is often sparkling; it's an important place where they sit and sometimes sleep. Some locals are going the Western way in terms of wearing shoes indoors. But, it's generally a sign of respect to take yours off as a default. When you're invited into a South Korean home, you won't know if your host is an on-or-off kinda person, so, if in doubt – do what they do. 

Do you speak Korean? Probably not, so don’t assume everyone speaks English. The better way to approach the language barrier is to be curious. Learn a simple phrase in Korean – do you speak English? That’ll break the ice, and the rest will take care of itself. If you’re caucasian in appearance, you may be mistaken for an English teacher, so listen to practised questions with grace.

Photo Credit: National Research Institute Of Cultural Heritage

South Koreans don't recognise The Sea of Japan. Here, the stretch of water between Korea and Japan is the East Sea. Also, Koreans are passionate that the disputed islands between Korea and Japan are called Dokdo, and belong to Korea. Whatever your personal belief, don’t disagree with a local while in their country – these matters aren’t up for question. Koreans are proud people; there’s nationalism everywhere you look. 

When it comes to all things fashion, the only rule is – put in some effort. Sloppy and slouchy don’t fly. You’ll notice random mirrors, here, there and everywhere, such as in lifts and the cafe – impressions are important. It’s OK to pay attention to your appearance here. In South Korea, keep your shoulders covered, but it's A-OK to show off your legs. This is a skincare hub; ladies and gents both use weird and wonderful lotions and potions like snail cream. If you need fashion inspiration, check out some K-pop and dress to impress. Also, don’t be afraid to embrace the onesie!

Like anywhere, there are unwritten rules about who pays. Equality being the name of the game, we encourage men and women to pay without bias. But, if you’re the oldest person at the table – you don’t pay – the younger diners will treat you as a sign of respect. Split checks are as annoying here as anywhere, just be open about it and if it’s a ‘no,’ split the cost without involving the restaurant. Don’t overthink this one. 

Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organisation

You can pretty much take your pick of the crop here; it's just what you do. Nearly all of Korea is roundtrip cable in one day – thank you fantastic transport system! Daytrippin' is an institution here, and locals love talking about where you've been. Take local recommendations, Korean's know their country. 

Because trains are so popular, you'll have the option to purchase a standing room ticket. When the choo choo's are out of seats, take this option because the name of the ticket can be misleading. You won't be standing the whole time; rather, it just means there's no sure seat for the entire journey. If there's an empty seat – take it, but if a ticket-holder gets on, you'll have to give it up. Note that Sunday night trains are seriously full!

South Korea and K-pop are inseparable. Honestly, it’s everywhere, so you’ll need to embrace it and learn to love it or – well – there is no or! This subculture has a huge fan base among teens and young adults. It’s now a multi-billion-dollar industry selling out international concerts in minutes. Get on board – it’s pretty catchy! With the K-pop Photoshoot with K-Beauty Makeup and Hair Styling Half Day Experience, you’ll be treated like an uber-celeb. Or for the ultimate immersive way to get involved in KPop – take a KPop Dance Class.

 

South Korean society has a certain order to it which creates the collectivist mindset and drives social interactions. When you first meet someone, the common question is – ‘how old are you?’ Don’t be offended, the answer determines the nature of your interaction. There’s a hierarchy: certain people are ‘above’ others based largely on age. It’s a way to connect and find common ground. 

 

 

Travel between Seoul and Incheon International Airport in less than one hour? Easy – with AREX Incheon Airport Express One Way Train Ticket. Redeem your tickets at the airport or Seoul Station. Pay the deposit fee, scan them at the gate, and you're journey-ready. Running every 25-40 minutes, get on, then lap up the view and the free WiFi. Claim your deposit on arrival. This is the quickest and easiest way from A to B. 

Get access to nearly all trains operated South Korea's leading railway provider, KORAIL, with the Korea Rail Pass (2, 3, 4, or 5 Days). There’s a type of pass to suit your itinerary, and you can redeem your voucher at any metro station, then reserve up to 2 seats per day! This is an economical option for easy travel. 

 

Don’t look now, but there’s a supercomputer in your pocket. And thanks to that device, there’s no such thing as a language barrier anymore. Before you arrive in South Korea, download one of these three apps:

iTranslate Voice: a professional translator without the hefty price tag

Google Translate: a popular app for web, iOS and Android, that supports 103 languages

SayHi: a no-type app, just speak into your device, and the app will translate and transcribe

 

Koreans are keen credit card users, and visitors can now use them far and wide. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted; American Express in high-end places. Use cash for small restaurants, markets and bus fare, but don’t carry huge wads of it. The won (W), comes in W10,000, W5,000, and W1,000 notes and the lesser-used W500, W100, W50, and W10 coins.

 

Pretty hassle-free for Australians – you can get a visa on arrival for stays up to 90 days. If you need to stay longer, get a visa before travelling. Your passport has to be valid for six months beyond your exit date and have two blank facing pages. If you’re in the country for business, you’ll need a business visa, which is issued at the discretion of the Embassy or Consulate.

 

Step back in time, and have some fun – deck yourself out in traditional Korean Hanbok! Think loud colours and plain cuts. In this formal dress, you’ll channel the Joseon period. With the Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling, choose from over 500 Hanboks, then style-up and accessorise your hair with daenggi decorations. Take home Hanbok pics taken with film and TV show-themed backdrops.

 

Good internet access can be trip-defining. Get access to high-speed 4G LTE internet with your South Korea 4G Prepaid SIM Card. This little card goes a long way: voice and text message service, easy top-up and the ability to extend more SIM validity on your mobile. A card that makes contact easy, with free incoming voice calls and text messages. This SIM makes an invaluable plus-one at any major airport in South Korea.

Klook can help you navigate the language barrier; pre-book your activities for easy travel.