Be Like a Korean
The Korean wave has made a huge impact on people during the past few years (mainly teens). With their catchy music, TV drama, trendy clothes, and how could we forget the tasty food? Though you can never truly become a different race, this article will be a fun tutorial on how to look and act like a Korean person.
Contents
Steps
- Always respect your elders. In Korea, it is common for people to be respectful to their elders by speaking formally to them. One thing many Korean people will do is ask the year in which you are born. This is how they establish how to act and treat their new-met friend.
- Listen to Korean-style music. Music artists are a big deal in Korea amongst teens and even adults. Unlike America, Korean Boy/Girl groups are more popular than solo artists. Always keep updated on the latest popular music. Some popular Korean artists you can refer to are Infinite, 2NE1, Bangtan Boys (BTS), BIGBANG, SHINee, Block B, BASTARZ, GOT7, EXO, and B2ST.
- Koreans love their Korean Drama movies and shows! You should watch a couple to help gain knowledge on Korean life. Korean Dramas consist of around 24 episodes each lasting for 1 hour. You can refer to some great hits such as Hi! School Love On, My Lovely Girl, Boys Over Flowers, You're Beautiful, My Lovely Sam Soon, Full House,The Heirs, Coffee Prince, or the ever-favorite beginner drama, City Hunter.
- Dress in trendy Korean clothing. Korean people might see themselves as materialistic. In Korean society, it is truly a lifestyle. To have the nice clothes is status in Korea. Though you will not look down upon if you are not up to the latest fashion trends, but it would help your social life. And in some cases, it can even help your jobs.
- Sing karaoke! Korean people love karaoke. There are so many karaoke places in Korea that you will not have to walk far to find one!
- Know what to drink, preferably Soju. Soju is an alcoholic drink that many Koreans enjoy. It's so popular that it is advertised in every single TV drama. Celebrities are also heavy-marketing icons for this drink. Another popular drink is mak-guli, mak-guli is a rice wine drink that is very popular among the elders.
- Eat Shin-ramen. The most popular instant-noodle soup dish that every Korean family, bachelors, teens, and college students eat. When done cooking it, you eat out of the pot while using the lid as your plate to hold the noodles as you eat them.
- Learn Korean Language. If you really want to look like a Korean, you also need to speak like them. It's okay to learn simple words, like the greetings such as "An-nyeong-ha-se-yo" meaning "Hello" or saying thank you "Kam-sa-ham-ni-da/Go-ma-wo-yo" Don't worry! Korean language is easy... and you will surely love it!
Tips
- Be natural in your looks, some Korean clothing are heavily influenced by Europe and even America. So you are not contracted to wearing strictly Korean clothing.
- The tips in this guide are stereotypical and does not reflect the activity/hobbies of all of Korea. The tips reflect some trends in Korea.
- Your hairstyles or fashion should never be over the top. They should be stylish and street-friendly. If you do anything over the top such as dying your hair very unnatural colors or wearing clothes that are completely mixed matched, then you will be seen as strange and unconventional.
- Trying to act "Korean" may come off racist and is not recommended. The reason why some people try to describe/categorize a "Korean" behavior is most likely because Korea is a small country with large population. Trends spread quickly, making an illusion that most people will act and dress in unison. Trends come and go quickly in Korea.
- Having the latest cell phone is what all the cool Korean kids do.
Warnings
- Make sure you are careful on how you use the Korean language. Some phrases don't mean what you think they mean.
- Don't overdo the Korean. Remain true to who you actually are and add that small hint of Korean into your personality. You're helping both yourself and those around you.
- You shouldn't try to be Korean or any race because no matter how hard you try you will never be Korean. Also many Koreans will find this racist plus your not being proud of your race.
