1. Hierarchy is everything
You will never leave work before your boss does. So hope he/she leaves work to have dinner at 5pm everyday (he/she will not).

 

2. Kimchi all day long
You will eat spicy cabbage, or kimchi like the Koreans call it, before every dish. This will result in the fact that you eat cabbage and rice three times a day.

 

3. Dealing with the neighbour
South Korea seems to be the only country that is not fazed by the unpredictable behaviour of North Korea. They have gotten used to their difficult neighbour over the years.

 

4. Everything, and I mean really everything in society is adapted to couples
You want to buy matching underwear, shoes, jackets or Mickey Mouse ears? That is all possible… but in pairs! And a day out to a theme park is a couples retreat.

 

5. Koreans love hiking
The country has beautiful nature and mountains, but be prepared to queue while climbing the mountain.

 

6. Koreans and alcohol have a very special relationship
They drink their local liquor Soju continuously during dinner. If your professor or boss invites you for a night out, it means that there is going to be heavy drinking and karaoke involved. No shame in either.

 

7. The Guus Hiddink phenomenon
Guus Hiddink, who trained the South Korean national football team from 2001-2002, is still the most popular Dutch person in Korea.

 

8. Plastic surgery is very common among the Korean girls
Especially creating “double eye lids” to achieve a western-look.

 

9. Studying at night and falling asleep during class is common practice
Getting high grades is essential and pressure in society is very high to perform well in class. Hence, 24/7 libraries and coffee houses are everywhere.

 

10. Professional gamers are superstars
They cannot walk the street normally and get a lot of attention from girls.

 

11. Western men are popular
Being a western guy, many Korean men will approach you and tell you how good looking you are. Girls will only giggle from a distance.

 

12. K-Pop rules the music scene
The Korean Music scene (K-Pop) will make you realize that boy/girl-bands are still very cool! My personal favourite: Orange Caramel, Lipstick.

 

13. Korean BBQ is the best BBQ!
Korean BBQ will be the best BBQ you will ever have the pleasure of attending, and it takes place indoors.

 

Special for ELM – guest blogger Diederik Baazil

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