Korean Culture (한국 문화)
From Hanboks, to traditional ceremonies in Korea, here are the things to know about Korean culture. (한복에서부터 한국의 전통 의식까지, 여기 한국 문화에 대해 알아야 할 것들이 있다.)
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KoreLimited: Review Of An Awesome Korean Streetwear Brand
Do you love Korean style? Maybe want some of your own Korean street style or want some clothing that pays homage to your time in Korea but says a bit more than just “KOREA!”. Look no further than Korelimited. Korelimited is a really cool brand with some great people making cool clothes. Want to make a statement? Let Korelimited help you as they produce clothing that celebrates Korean culture and lifestyle while being eye catching too. Here’s what you should know about Korelimited: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you…
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A Guide To Gift Giving In Korea: From Weddings To Housewarming Parties
Whether you’re living in Korea for a short time, staying for an extended period, or marrying into the culture, knowing Korean gift giving etiquette matters more than most people expect. The wrong gift at the wrong event isn’t just awkward, some choices carry real symbolic weight that can make a lasting impression in the wrong direction. The good news is that once you understand a few core principles, gift giving in Korea becomes surprisingly straightforward. Money is often the right answer. Context determines the amount. And knowing what not to give is as important as knowing what to give. Get ready to give gifts in Korea. Here’s what you need…
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Baby Hanbok Guide: What To Wear For a Korean Dol Ceremony
In Korea, the biggest moments in a baby’s first year are the 100-day celebration and the first birthday dol ceremony, and that often means dressing the little one in a beautiful baby Hanbok. If you live in Korea, finding one is not too difficult. If you live abroad, though, it can feel a bit trickier to know where to start. Over the years, I have had readers ask me where to buy a baby Hanbok online again and again, especially when preparing for a doljanchi. And I understand why. Baby Hanboks are not just adorable, they are tied to family tradition, celebration, and some really precious photos you will likely…
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Korean Tea: A Guide to 27 Traditional Teas, Their Benefits, and Where To Buy Them
While most of the world views tea as a beverage made by putting hot water on some type of leaf, Koreans seem to make tea with anything and everything they can put hot water on. Hot water on flowers? Why not? Hot water on some roots from the garden? Definitely. Because of this, traditional Korean tea houses can have long rather substantial lists of teas. It can be overwhelming. It took me forever to remember the names of the Korean teas that I enjoyed, and I often forget when it comes to seeing boxes of teas in the market. Since I’ve taken numerous tourists to a traditional tea cafes and…
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Leesle Modern Hanbok Guide: Buy One Online or In Korea
For a time it seemed as though the Hanbok was about to go completely out of fashion in Korea. Seen as only appropriate on special occasions and holidays, the traditional Korean clothing that was originally daily-wear wasn’t daily anymore. That was until brands in Korea, like Leesle, took their passions and put their own modern twists on the traditional Korean dress that has been coming back with resounding applause and style and has even been seen on catwalks in major fashion shows. Leesle Hanboks are both simple and complex but maintain a beautiful balance exactly as they were originally designed. What’s better is you don’t have to be in Korea…
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What To Do If You’re Staying In Seoul For Seollal 2026
This year, 2026, Seollal, or the Lunar New Year, falls on February 17, 2026. Seollal is a big family holiday here in Korea so it’s important to know what to expect, what is open and what is closed. Most Koreans head back to their hometowns to see family and if they celebrate in the traditional fashion will wake very early in the morning and hold a ceremony to pay respects to their ancestors in which they will dress in traditional Korean clothing, or Hanbok, and bow to an altar table set with all kinds of food including meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. My Korean family will partake in this very…
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Korean Hangover Cures: The Drinks, Soups, and More!
If you’ve had a night out in Seoul, you know that Korean nightlife is a serious undertaking. There are Korean drinking games, multiple rounds at multiple venues, and the night can easily go until sunrise. Koreans are very good at this. They are, statistically, the people in the world who drink the most hard liquor per capita, 13.7 shots per week on average according to Korea Herald data, and soju alone accounts for 97% of the country’s spirit market. None of the countries below them on the global list even come close. The result of this level of dedication is a multi-billion dollar hangover recovery industry that was first debuted…
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Korean Temples: Art, Architecture, and History by Dale Quarrington
If you’ve ever wanted more information about some statue, artistic work or just the architecture of a Buddhist temple you passed along the way in Korea, chances are you stumbled upon Dale Quarrington’s website. It’s one of the few sites with such information available in English. Dale Quarrington recently published his second book on the religious sites that have captured his curiosity and intrigue while living in South Korea. Much like his website, the book aims to provide information little known to English speaking foreigners and hopefully will give people the oomph to get up and out and see the religious relics and sites that have caught his attention. For…
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Korean Housewarming Party Gifts: Why Toilet Paper Is the Answer
When my husband and I moved a couple of years back, I decided it was time to have a housewarming party, a jipdeuri (집들이) in Korean. We invited friends and on the day of the get-together my husband said we had to rush out to get this food and that drink. Had I under-prepared? Wouldn’t our guests be bringing food, or drinks, or flowers and plants? As Emily Post had taught me, guests, though it’s not a rule, often bring a bottle of wine, some bread, or the odd plant. That is not how it works in Korea. By the end of our party we were stacked ceiling-high in toilet…
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Korean First Birthday (Doljanchi): Complete Guide to Traditions, Doljabi and Hanbok
Celebrating a baby’s first birthday is a big deal in just about every culture, but in Korea, it comes with traditions that make the day feel especially meaninful. A Korean first birthday celebration is called a dol or doljanchi, and it is about much more than cake and candles. From the baby’s Hanbok to the caerfully prepared dolsang table and the much-anticipated doljabi ceremony, every detail is filled with symbolism, family hopes, and a look toward the child’s future. When I first attended a Korean friend’s baby’s first birthday party, I expected balloons, games, and a lot of children running around. Instead, I found something that felt more like a…
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How To Celebrate The Winter Solstice In Korea
Like many holidays, unofficial or not, in Korea, there’s something that should be eaten on the upcoming winter solstice, or Dongji (동지), so get your spoons ready! The winter solstice is celebrated on the day of the year with the shortest daylight hours and the longest night and it usually falls on or around December 22nd each year. If you’re in Korea and want to celebrate the winter solstice Korean style, then this is what you should know. Here’s what you need to know about Dongji in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no…
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Valentine’s Day, White Day & The 13 Other Romantic Holidays In Korea
Did you know there are fifteen couples holidays in Korea? If you’re dating in Korea or get into a relationship with a Korean, you might just want to know when to get all romantic. Valentine’s Day is the day that people around the world know about, but there are plenty of other days on the calendars of Korean couples where they can profess their love, smooch it up, or just do something together. From the official celebrations to the unofficial Korean holidays, here’s when they are and what you should do if you want to celebrate in Korea… or just Korean style. Here are the unofficial (and some official) holidays…
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Why Koreans Say Have You Eaten Instead of How Are You
Recently in a conversation with four Korean women, the topic of etiquette and manners came up. We were discussing differences from the west compared to Korea. I brought up how endearing, although strange at first, that Koreans consistently ask if I've eaten and if I respond that I haven't, inevitably food shows up.
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Learning About Jeju Shamanism with Joey Rositano
There are over 400 shamanic shrines on the island of Jeju in Korea which the people there have worshipped for centuries, practicing a kind of traditional shamanism specific to Jeju known as muism. Natives on the island still actively practice the traditional shrine worship attending rituals a few times a year but as the island is being developed due to tourism and a contentious military base is being built, the grounds the shrines are located on are being encroached upon and some fear some of the shrines will be demolished all together in the near future. Jeju Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea. In fact,…
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Which Side of the Sidewalk Do You Walk On in Korea?
Have you ever gone to take a walk in Korea and come face to face with a local and wondered how that happened? I’m sure you’ve taken plenty of walks on plenty of sidewalks back home but wherever you came from, you walk, people walked, and you managed to pass each other. Why isn’t it so easy in Korea you might wonder. Why is there a weaving sort of system on sidewalks instead of a rule on which side of the sidewalk to walk on? There is a reason and one that you might not realize actually. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of…
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How To Perform a Korean Jesa Ceremony: A Step-by-Step Guide
Jesa (제사) ceremonies are performed to honor the ancestors that have come before and paved the way for those that live today and the Lunar New Year is one time during the year that almost everyone partakes in the memorial rite.
