In Korean dramas and films, there are ten things you will always notice

Korean pop culture, including music and television, has exploded in popularity around the world in the last decade. With the massive success of Bong Joon Ho's Parasite, more and more people are becoming aware of the grandeur of Korean dramas and films. However, whether you're new to Hallyu (the Korean wave) or a seasoned fan, there are a number of things that will leave you perplexed while watching a K-drama. Because we live in a globalized society, things may appear familiar on the surface, but ordinary Korean habits may be unfamiliar to many of us. Visit KissAsian website for more information about Asian drama.

Don't worry, we've put up a handy guide to help you navigate any K-drama or film you want to watch. Thank you very much!

1. Showing respect for seniors and older persons

In Korean society, Confucianism's 500-year legacy can still be seen in the respect shown to elders and seniors. Seniority can be determined by age, familial position, or job title. While this may not seem out of place to us because it is also a part of Indian culture, there are some practices that demonstrate how deeply this is engrained in their daily life. If you're out drinking with an older person, for example, it's normal to turn your head away from them while drinking. Also, when receiving anything from an older or senior person, it is customary to take it with two hands. This also applies to shaking their hands.

2. Business dinners

In Korean culture, after-work hangouts and team dinners are so significant that they have their own term: Hoesik. You're required to attend these drink or dinner gatherings, which may involve coworkers, bosses, and even CEOs. It's said to be a good technique to strengthen coworker bonds. Many K-dramas use hoesiks as a plot element, where it serves as a backdrop for whatever hijinks the main characters must engage in. Hoesiks are tedious and unpleasant in real life since the personnel is still required to follow a tight code of conduct because it is regarded an extension of the job. In the case of Hoesik, the #MeToo movement resulted in a dramatic shift in business culture. Senior executives could no longer compel their staff to attend these work meals and consume excessive amounts of alcohol.

3. Military duty is obligatory

Conscription, or the mandatory enlistment of men in the military, is still practiced in Korea. Male inhabitants between the ages of 18 and 28 are required by law to enlist in the military for at least two years. Korean celebrities, such as actors and K-pop singers, are not exempt from serving in the military. South Korea had not have the power to deny recruitment until recently. Conscientious objection as a reason for avoiding conscription was legalized by the South Korean Constitutional Court in 2018.

4. The significance of titles

Directly calling each other by their first names is considered impolite in Korea. Your title may be determined by your job title or family position. It also depends on whether you and that person are in a formal or informal connection. If you're in a formal atmosphere, for example, you might add'sshi' after the person's name to show respect. Another option is to add the suffix 'nim' to the end of their names. If you're speaking to a friend or a partner informally, you'll add 'aa' or 'ya' to the end of their name. In the workplace, Koreans refer to one other by their company's rank or job title, as well as their names.

5. Uncomfortable shows of affection

Why do characters in K-dramas not know how to hug or kiss is an age-old issue that continues to circulate through millions of sub-Reddits. You'll notice a dearth of affection onscreen once you start watching Korean TV series. Physical intimacy, or'skinship' (as it's known in Korea), is frequently awkward and unnatural in the sparingly distributed scenes. In many aspects, Korean society is still conservative, therefore in real life, couples in Korea do not engage in PDA since it is deemed inappropriate. They express their love in different ways, such as by wearing matching outfits or holding hands.

6. Extensive entrance examinations

While we're all aware with the stress of passing entrance examinations in order to get into prestigious universities, it takes on a whole new meaning in South Korea. When pupils reach tenth grade, the battle to get into one of South Korea's top three colleges begins. The most frequent method is to pass an admission exam, known as a 'Suneung.' Students are required to study extensively before taking the tests because it is widely believed that if you fail this exam, your entire life will be a failure. Rich and affluent folks hire pricey tutors to assist their children and give them a leg up on the competition. This was brilliantly spoofed in Korea's highest-rated television drama of all time, Sky Castle, a fantastic comedy on parents' and children's obsession with higher education.

7. There are no shoes allowed inside.

No Korean television figure ever enters a home without their shoes on. Before entering the house, they remove their usual shoes and put on special house slippers. This is done to prevent dirt and disease-causing bacteria from being brought in from the outside. Koreans are quite conscientious about cleanliness, and this is a byproduct of that.

8. Obsession with blood type

The fact that you're a Libra or a Gemini-Cancer cusp Mercury retrograde child may not matter to Koreans. They do, however, want to know your blood type. Many Koreans link different blood types to different personality attributes that influence compatibility, likability, and even health.

9. Strict beauty norms

The famed '10-step skincare program' or the 'glass skin' trend are signs that Korean beauty has swept over the world. However, this implies that Korean society's beauty standards are exceptionally high and inflexible. As a result, the country boasts the world's highest rate of plastic surgery. It affects both men and women in Korea, even people who aren't even superstars. The importance of outer beauty is so great that it's one of the deciding criteria in job interviews.

10. Celebrity culture is oppressive

You'll understand what we mean when we say that being a celebrity in South Korea is both a curse and a blessing if you've seen Her Private Life or Touch Your Heart. Stars and idols have legions of admirers who follow their every move, and if they fail to live up to the expectations of their fans, they are either dismissed or demolished. They're constantly scrutinized by the press and fans, and one blunder might spell their demise. This is also why many celebrities keep their relationship status hidden from the public eye. The management organizations that practically own these celebrities are also to blame for the unhealthy celebrity culture. Find more information at https://kissasian.cx/.