Why Koreans Don’t Say “Bless You” After Sneezing Cultural Differences in Simple Gestures “Nisa Sermchaiwong”, an American student in Seoul, felt increasingly awkward as she whispered “bless you” for the fifth time to her sneezing classmate. The silent lab made each blessing feel more out of place, until her Korean senior finally laughed at the … Read more
From Folklore Menace to Modern Mascot In recent years, the image of the tiger in Korean culture has undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from a fear-inspiring creature in traditional folktales to a friendly and beloved character in modern media. 최근 한국 문화에서 호랑이의 이미지는 전통 설화에서 두려움을 주는 존재에서 현대 미디어에서 사랑받는 친근한 캐릭터로 크게 … Read more
Changing Family Preferences: Why South Korea Loves Daughters More Than Sons Societal Shift in Gender Preference For a long time, many societies favored sons over daughters. In recent years, however, South Korea has experienced a remarkable shift. Parents are now showing a strong preference for daughters, reflecting profound changes in family values and social expectations. … Read more
How Korean Gen Z is Transforming Drinking Culture Breaking with Tradition: New Drinking Norms Younger Koreans are redefining traditional drinking norms. In Korea, drinking with elders or seniors, whether at work, school, or social gatherings, has long involved strict etiquette—like pouring drinks with both hands, keeping your glass lower than a senior’s, and promptly refilling … Read more