Korean personality and characteristics: What foreigners are most curious about
One of the most frequently asked questions by foreigners visiting Korea is “What are the personalities of Koreans like?” Koreans have unique social values and culture, and affection, courtesy, and sense of community are important factors. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the personality and characteristics of Koreans.
1. Are Koreans really affectionate?
In Korean culture, ‘jeong (情)’ is a very important concept. Jeong goes beyond simple kindness and refers to the deep bond and consideration formed over a long relationship.
For example, in Korea, people often say a warm word to someone they have met for the first time or provide kind help when they ask for directions. Also, giving small gifts to friends or family or sharing delicious food with them are ways to express affection.
2. Why do Koreans consider group activities important?
Korean society traditionally has a strong community-oriented culture. At school, work, and even among friends, group activities (company dinners, meet-and-greet meetings, etc.) are considered important. This demonstrates the characteristics of Korean society, which strengthens bonds between people and values teamwork.
In particular, company dinners are important in work culture, as they serve to strengthen relationships between superiors and coworkers and increase work efficiency. Of course, these days, individualism is becoming stronger, and the number of young people who find excessive group activities burdensome is increasing.
3. How important is age in Korea?
In Korea, age is one of the important factors that determines social relationships. When making friends, people are often asked about their age first, and titles may change depending on age.
For example, instead of using formal language toward older people, we show respect by using titles such as “brother, oppa, older sister, older sister.” This is influenced by Confucian culture, and in Korea, courtesy tends to be very important.
4. Are Koreans good at expressing their emotions?
Koreans tend to express their emotions relatively honestly. In particular, there are many expressions of affection among close people, and it is also common to see friends walking around with their arms wrapped around each other or holding hands. Also, like in Korean dramas, joy and sadness are often expressed strongly.
However, they show a somewhat cautious attitude toward people they meet for the first time, and tend to hold back their emotions in public settings. In Korean society, atmosphere is considered important, so expressing too much emotion can be burdensome.
conclusion
Koreans are characterized by being friendly, valuing community spirit, and valuing courtesy. However, in modern society, we can also see changes as individualistic tendencies are becoming stronger. If you want to better understand Korean culture, a good way is to experience these characteristics by interacting with Koreans directly. 😊
In the next article, we will learn about Korea's social culture!
