Culture Archives - SEOULSPACE

T-Money Cards in Seoul – A Complete Overview for Foreigners

SEOULSPACE

T-Money Cards in Korea is a must for any foreigner. All of South Korea's transportation system runs on rechargeable smart cards and smart devices. These smart cards are called T-Money cards in Seoul. They are used for subways, buses, taxis, and at some convenience stores like CU/GS25/7-Eleven. T-Money cards are embedded with chips that are readable by card-reading machines. These machines are installed in all subways, buses, and taxis in Seoul. However, you don't have to get a card as this form of chip technology can be put into key chains, rings, bands, and even portable memory sticks. Below we will guide you through the most commonly asked questions regarding T-Money cards in Seoul. If there are any additional questions you might have, feel free to leave your questions in the comments below.

Culture

10 Best Universities in Korea for International Students

SEOULSPACE

Studying in Korea will be one of the best experiences of your life. Ask anyone who has studied in Korea and they will usually say the same thing…..” best time of my life”. In addition, Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that over 85% of international students are satisfied with their experiences at Korean Universities. Aside from the amazing cultural experiences, many of the best Universities in Korea are eager to accept international students. Moreover, the Korean government announced a plan to increase foreign enrollment to 200,000 by 2032. Therefore, there are many government scholarship programs for international students that pay for full tuition, monthly stipend, settlement allowance, medical insurance, and round trip tickets.

Culture

Blood Types in Korea – Korean Women Prefer Which More?

SEOULSPACE

Blood types in Korea is a pretty big deal. Koreans love to talk about one’s blood type. Especially Korean women. Surveys have shown that 4 in 5 Korean women take a man’s blood type into consideration when dating. Many feel that this is the quickest way to determine a person’s temperament and even compatibility with others. This might be strange to those in the West who might not even know what their blood type is. Blood type comes into play mainly when looking for a partner. This is because most Koreans feel a person’s blood type indicates one’s personality trait. In 2004 Nonghyup got a lot of press for saying they would only hire those with Type O or B blood. Saying that Type As and AB should not apply since they had no drive.

Culture

10 Tips for Dating in Korea for Foreigners

Camille Blais

Dating in South Korea can be difficult for foreigners as Koreans have their own dating etiquette, manners, and activities. South Korea has a very unique dating culture that should be understood before dating a Korean person to make sure everything goes smoothly. Through this article, I will provide you with some tips for dating in Korea for foreigners. I have primarily used Tinder but South Korea has other datings apps you can check out here. I have used Tinder in Korea for a year now and I have definitely picked up a lot of things about the culture of dating in Korea and even some of the lingo. Just to be clear, these tips are 100% based on my experience and everyone has a different experience when they come here. There is obviously no way to generalize an entire country.

SEOULSPACE

When people think of Korea they might think of K-Pop which has taken the globe by storm. They might even think of Samsung Electronics and their T.V.s and smartphones. However, what people don't realize is that Koreans love their sports and especially their sports stars. They are treated like gods in Korea and this is something you can see clearly when one goes to a game in Korea. This is why big companies pay these sports stars huge amounts of money to endorse their company/products. Their influence reaches their loyal fan base who worship these stars as much as K-Pop stars. Businesses have been cashing in on Korea's pride for their countrymen/women for quite some time now and it doesn't seem like it is going to let up anytime soon. Whether they are retired or still active these Korean Sports Stars continue to generate include based on their "brand name" alone. Here are the top 10 wealthiest Korean sports stars of all time.

Culture

The Most Common Surnames in Korea and Their Meanings

SEOULSPACE

There are over 270 surnames in Korea. The top 5 names on this list make up more than 50% of all Koreans. Kim alone makes up close to 23%. This means that in a population of over 50 million people, for every 5 Koreans you meet, it is highly likely you will meet one Kim. Therefore, having the same Korean last name does not always mean they are related. Throughout Korean history, the last name was determined by the clan or region they were born in. Many of these surnames stem from Chinese characters converted into a different script.

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Dokdo is a peaceful island of South Korea in the East Sea. It harbors deep scars from a painful past. Dokdo is a powerful symbol of Korean freedom and brings together all Koreans no matter what their politics are. However, the Japanese government, despite historical evidence proving that Dokdo belongs to South Korea, continues to claim that the island is part of Japan. But why is there so much interest in such a small yet beautiful island? Another reason why Dokdo is so important is that the area is great for fishing and may sit above enormous deposits of natural gas hydrate that could be worth billions of dollars. Dokdo is currently controlled by South Korea with over 25 guards and three lighthouse keepers that are stationed on the island. Below we will break down the facts to prove once and for all that Dokdo belongs to South Korea.

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Hanbok plays an integral role in Korean culture. It is worn at key moments in a person’s life as well as being donned for traditional occasions like weddings, festivals, holidays, and birthdays. There is even a Hanbok Day which was established by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1996. Hanboks are meticulously handcrafted. This is why they cost millions of won and tend to be handed down from generation to generation. Since the 1990s there has been a growing interest in Hanbok amongst the younger generation in Korea with numerous Korean dramas, K-pop idols, and groups fueling the revival. This has led the way for Korean designers who have innovated the traditional hanbok by mixing it with western influences. These modern hanboks can be worn in a variety of ways and don't stick to the conventional ways of wearing hanbok.