South Korean Culture and Traditions: What to Know Before You Go

By Andrew Lewis on 05 Oct 2023

With vibrant, modern cities sitting side-by-side with world heritage sites and centuries-old religions, South Korea is a fascinating cultural blend of past and present. Korean history is always present in modern Korea, and while that intangible cultural heritage makes it an exciting destination to explore and discover, it also means there’s a need to be aware of different cultural norms.

This guide covers all the cultural nuances and traditions you’ll need to know as a traveler visiting South Korea.

South Korea Languages and Greetings

The official language of South Korea is Korean, but English is widely understood, especially in major cities, like Seoul. Most signage throughout the country is written in both Korean and English, which makes it easy to get around.

That said, many Korean people understand more English than they can speak. You’re more likely to find English speakers in big cities and at major tourist attractions. To help yourself talk with locals and navigate the country, here are some basic phases in Korean  that you should know:

  • Hello – An-nyeong-ha-se-yo
  • Please – Juseyo
  • Thank you – Gomapseumnida
  • Yes – Ne
  • No – Aneyo
  • How are you? – Al jinaesyeosseoyo?
  • My name is… – Je i-reum-eun [your name]-go-yo
  • How much is this? – Eolma?
  • Where is the bathroom? – Hwajangsireun eodie isseoyo?
  • Let’s go – Gaja

Greetings

Greeting others in South Korea, it’s customary to bow slightly with a slight bow of the head and shake the other person’s hand with both hands. Shaking with one hand is reserved for those deserving great respect, like elders and authority figures. So when greeting others, use both hands for the handshake.

Addressing Others

In South Korea, it’s important to keep conversations formal to start. When meeting someone for the first time, address them by their last name and job title. In South Korean society, the last or family name is listed before the given name, so you’ll be using the first of the two given names to address the person.

If you’re unsure of either, use formal terms, like Mr., Mrs., or Miss. It’s rude to call people by their first names unless they give permission, so always start with formal titles and names.

Indigenous Cultures in South Korea

Jeju Island in the South China Sea is popular for its beach resorts and scenic hikes through the volcanic landscapes. But it’s also the home of South Korea’s most prominent Indigenous group, the Jeju people. Speaking a branch of the traditional Korean language known as Jeju, this group has likely existed on the island since early Neolithic times.

From the primary religion (which is shamanism) to island traditions and customs, there are many key cultural differences between the Jeju people and mainland Korean culture. The Jeju people have a matriarchal society, and they have distinct art forms, like the dol hareubangs, which are carved basalt rock statues believed to be gods.

The Jeju people have sacred sites around the island, from guardian trees at the entrances to villages to shrines to the dol hareubang statues dotting the landscape. It’s important to be respectful of these sites by not littering, causing damage, or trespassing.

Religion in South Korea

South Korea is a multi-religious country, with Buddhism and Christianity being the most widely-practiced religions. Shamanism, which is an animistic religion composed of multiple gods, spirits, and other beings, originated on the Korean peninsula and is still practiced today, despite other encroaching religions. More than half of the population practices no religion at all.

You’ll find religious sites throughout the country, including Buddhist temples and Christian cathedrals and churches. Due to Christianity’s growing influence and popularity in Korean culture, a Catholic pilgrimage route connects a number of prominent churches around Seoul. At Inwangsan Mountain, the Guksadang shrine is one of Shamanism’s most important sites where offerings can be made.

Most temples and religious sites are open to foreign visitors, provided you are respectful and follow any rules or regulations.

South Korea Festivals and Holidays

Visiting South Korea during important festivals is one of the best ways to meet locals, learn about Korean traditions and customs, and have a good time. Here are some of the biggest and best-known Korean holidays, cultural events, and religious festivals, where you can take a break from K-pop and experience traditional Korean music, Korean art, Korean dance, and other aspects of Korean life.

Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day)

Marking the start of the lunar new year, Seollal is one of South Korea’s most celebrated traditional holidays. Taking place in either late January or early February, the event is celebrated with classic Korean cuisine, Korean folk music, traditional dress, games, and special ceremonies.

Dano Spring Festival

Celebrated annually in the hope of a good harvest in the fall, the springtime Dano festival boasts special rites, games, and events that take place at the start of spring in the lunar calendar (usually falling in early June). People eat traditional Korean food, women dress in new celebratory garb, and Korean wrestling matches and other games take place.

Bargaining and Haggling in South Korea

It’s common for Korean people to haggle at traditional markets, but many foreigners don’t feel comfortable doing so due to the language barrier, or out of fear of offending the seller. South Koreans are extremely skilled negotiators, so it’s natural to feel intimidated, and you don’t need to barter if you don’t feel comfortable.

If you want to give it a try, though, follow these protocols to be respectful and polite:

  • Don’t wear anything fancy.
  • Don’t buy from the first stalls or shops you encounter; shop around to compare prices.
  • Say annyeonghaseyo when you enter a store or stall.
  • Use Korean phrases to endear the shopkeeper to you.
  • Have a friendly, positive attitude and be polite.
  • Use the phrase jogeumman ggakajuseyo to inquire about discounts.
  • After the first quoted price, your counteroffer shouldn’t be too low (around 50% lower is fine). Otherwise, you risk offending the shopkeeper, and they won’t be willing to sweeten the deal with discounts or free samples.
  • Don’t feel bad walking away if the shopkeeper won’t meet your price, and don’t feel guilted into purchasing something just because.
  • Koreans are great at driving hard bargains, so don’t feel bad if you can’t get the price down too much. You still got to experience this quintessential part of Korean culture.

South Korean Etiquette for Travelers

From how to behave at temples to the proper way to eat, these etiquette rules and guidelines will help you better respect South Korean culture and traditions.

Temple and Religious Sites Etiquette in South Korea

When visiting religious sites around the country, be respectful of the rules and follow these basic etiquette guidelines.

  • Look for posted signage highlighting any rules and regulations.
  • Dress modestly and respectfully with clothes that cover your shoulders, knees, and chest. Some temples may also require women to wear head coverings.
  • Remove your shoes before going indoors.
  • Always ask permission before taking photos, and never try to sneak pictures where it isn’t allowed.
  • Be quiet and respectful of others using the space.
  • Do not touch objects unless it is expressly allowed.

Dining Etiquette in South Korea

Just as the Korean wave has spread South Korean pop culture across the globe, from Korean dramas to Korean music, the country’s cuisine has also taken the world by storm. Staple mains and side dishes, like bibimbap, bulgogi, kimchi, and mandoo, as well as transplanted meals, like Korean fried chicken, have captivated tastebuds around the world. But nothing compares to Korean food at its source.

In general, South Korean cuisine is based on seafood, rice, vegetables, and meats, like beef. Similar to many other Asian countries, it has a strong street food culture, and you can get delicious street eats, like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), pretty much anywhere.

When dining in at a restaurant or someone’s house, there is some dining etiquette and protocol you should be aware of:

  • Wait for the eldest person present to sit and eat first before you follow suit.
  • Wait for others to fill your glass.
  • Don’t leave your chopsticks sticking up out of your rice; instead, lay them flat on top of the bowl or beside the dish.
  • Try to eat at the same pace as others.

Tipping is not customary in South Korea and it can even be perceived as disrespectful, so it’s not expected to leave tips for waitstaff.

How to Dress in South Korea

Even though South Korea is home to progressive, modern cities like Seoul, many aspects of its culture are still conservative and traditional, including its clothing. Women should avoid wearing low-cut tops and exposed shoulders, although it’s fine to wear shorts and skirts. You’ll notice people dressing less conservatively in major cities, but you should try to cover up and dress conservatively when traveling in rural areas or visiting religious sites.

Sports in South Korea

Competing internationally, a Korean national team represents the country on the world stage for football and baseball, both teams local celebrities. Traditional Korean sports, like tae kwon do, ssireum (traditional folk wrestling), and jokgu (a football-volleyball hybrid) are also widely played and practiced. South Korea’s best-known contribution to the world of sports is tae kwon do, a self-defense form of martial arts. E-sports have also exploded in popularity.

Other Essential Tips

Here are some other important things to keep in mind during your travels in South Korea.

  • Personal space: South Koreans take personal space very seriously, so avoid touching others without express permission. That includes gestures like hugging or patting someone on the back.
  • Elder respect: Elders are highly respected in Korean culture, with various traditions and cultural norms revolving around elder respect. Wait for elders to sit first before sitting down yourself, address them formally, and bow upon greeting them.
  • Punctuality: Being punctual is a sign of respect in South Korea, so you should endeavor to be where you need to be on time.
  • Gift-giving: It’s always polite to bring a small gift when visiting someone’s home
  • Bad luck: Don’t write using red pens or with red ink—it’s a bad omen.
  • Nose-blowing: Don’t blow your nose in public.
  • Shoes off indoors: Always remove your shoes when going indoors or entering someone’s house. You should also keep your feet off the furniture.
  • Hand gestures: Using hand gestures to communicate is extremely common in South Korea, so you need to be aware of how to use your hands. Keep your palm down when making hand gestures like signaling a cab. Waving or making a hand gesture palm-side up risks causing offense. You’ll also likely see people using hand gestures like the finger kiss, a popular gesture from Korean pop music and popular culture, now used around the world, thanks to the Korean wave.
  • Both hands: Just as with shaking hands, use both hands to receive or give objects. If you can’t use both, use your right hand instead of your left.
  • Public decorum: Avoid talking loudly or making a scene in public, especially on public transportation.

Preparing for Your South Korea Trip

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a South Korea visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to South Korea, including travel requirements  and health and safety, visit our South Korea content hub.