5 Things to know about Koreans

What comes to mind when you think of Koreans? Kimchi? Soju? Or the Youtube sensation, Psy? Those are pretty famous staples of Korea, but what about the Korean people? Here are a few traits of Koreans you should know if you plan to interact with them.

1. Hasty
   Whatever you’re doing – work, studying, or even drinking – do it fast. That’s the general rule for Koreans.  If you had a Korean mother like me, the words, “빨리 빨리 (Pfali Pfali; quickly, quickly)” should be stuck in your head. No matter the task, Koreans (especially the older generation) want things done fast. Of course, doing things correctly is also important, but in Korea, it’s do it fast, do it right. That’s why you see commuters rush onto the subway train or bus while disregarding everyone else. If you’re waiting for the bus or metro during the morning or evening rush, please stay away from the doors. Even the Almighty himself could not save you if you come between a Korean and an empty seat on the metro. There’s an old expression often used in the military: “hurry up and wait.” Soldiers mutter the phrase when they’re trying to point out the irony behind the statement. However, in Korea, the irony is lost on its people.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1542" align="aligncenter" width="682"] Many taxis race through the streets of Korea[/caption]
   
   If a shop is crowded or jam packed with customers lined outside, the rationale of Koreans is to hurry up and wait. Once in line, the complaining begins. If you’ve ever been in line with a Korean 아줌마 (ahjuma; elder lady), I’m sure you’ll have noticed how much they fidget, hoping to get a glimpse at how much longer they have to wait. Koreans need to get to places quickly, which is why you’ll often see reckless driving.
   Get into a taxi, I dare you. Taxi drivers pay no heed to speed signs or even traffic lights. For many Korean drivers, green means go, yellow means go faster, and red means stop – maybe. As Koreans are always in a hurry, their emotions run high as well.


2. 2.      Hot-tempered
   Koreans flare up easily. If they feel offended, their first reaction is to get angry. Never mind who wronged whom. Both parties yell at one another, and there appears to be no end to it. Then just as suddenly, it’s over. It’s one of the most distinguished characteristics of Koreans. In Korean, it is called 냄비근성 (naembi geunsung; quick to heat up but quick to lose steam).
   
   [caption id="attachment_1543" align="aligncenter" width="399"] People protest against the North Korean regime.[/caption]
   
   When a controversy erupts in Korea, the majority of people don’t waste time criticizing the parties involved. Korean netizens assiduously point blame at this and that. However, after about a week or two, no one cares. Someone in the government took bribes from someone? Criticism pours in throughout the nation about how corrupt Korean political officials are. After a brief period of time, Koreans will move onto a different issue. Thus, the popular saying, 냄비근성.
   
    


3. Competitive
   At a very early age, parents raise their children to be the best. This is more true in Korea, where parents enroll their young toddlers in academies and institutions to learn English, math, and other various academic subjects. They are pitted against one another to try and outdo the other. Once they get into college, the real competition begins.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1544" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Job seekers prepare for an exam at a cram school.
   Korea Times Photo by Kim Ju-young[/caption]
   
   The courses are set so that only a certain percentage of the students get A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. Nowadays, most Korean college students focus so much on raising their GPAs. On top of that, they study relentlessly to achieve other qualifications or certifications that will help their resume stand out more. Why you ask? They want to work for big corporations like Samsung. Even if they aren’t recruited right after graduation, they will wait another year or so to get into places they set their eyes on. Thus, there’s a labor shortage for SMEs (small-medium enterprises) at the moment. Success is everything for Koreans, and the most commonly thought of success is money. With the power of money, they can buy luxury goods and other valuables they can show off to other people. Koreans like to show-off, which is why they are so concerned with…


4. Appearance
   Korea is the place to go for cosmetic surgery. According to International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, South Korea had the highest rate of cosmetic plastic surgery. Many Korean women, along with some men, go under the knife to improve their facial features. So many people do it that it has become the norm to have double eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty (nose job). Appearance is crucial in Korea, and I’m not talking about just physical traits.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1545" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Cosmetic surgery clinics advertise through before-and-after pictures.[/caption]
   
   Unfortunately, Koreans are quick to judge. They form opinions on others based on their jobs and occupations. Hence, many people will hold you in high regard if you attend a prestigious university or work for a large corporation. That’s not to say they will look down on you if you don’t have a fancy job or degree. It just means they’ll most likely choose not to associate with you. However, there is one thing that brings all Koreans together. That would be…
   
    


5. Rice
   Rice is the basis of most Korean food. It’s hard to find any Korean food without those white sticky grains grouped together in a bowl. Sure, there are some who don’t eat rice, but for Koreans, it’s a necessity. In most, if not all, restaurants that serve meat such as 삼겹살 (samgeubsal; pork) or 갈비 (galbi; marinated pork or beef), customers have an option of fried rice after their entrée. One food Koreans really enjoy is the spicy ricecakes, or 떡볶이 (tteokboki). Some restaurants cook the ricecakes right in front of you. After the meal, most customers choose to mix rice with the leftover ricecake sauce. This goes to show how much Koreans adore rice. Even outside Korea, most Koreans can’t live without rice.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1546" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fried rice with leftover ricecake sauce[/caption]
   
   I remember when my sister and I would leap in joy when our family would go to McDonalds or Burger King. For us, it was a rare treat, and we savored every bite. However, my parents would go home and have rice instead. From the many accounts of Koreans who had lived abroad, they could not go long without rice. For Koreans, rice is not simply food. Rice runs in their blood.

There are more characteristics of the Korean people, but these are just the basic five you should know. Despite how they may look on the surface, always remember they are a proud race and it would be in your best interest to keep that in mind. You just may learn a thing or two from them.