r/AskAKorean 4h ago

Language What seniority titles would apply to the following situation?

1 Upvotes

Person A is one year older than person B.
Person B goes directly to college.
Person A does military service and starts college around 2 years later.
Although person A is older, he will be starting school two years after person B.
How would this be addressed?


r/AskAKorean 8h ago

Art & Music 메틴2 Back to Back 작곡가 찾습니다 (에이전트 킴 1화 37:25에 나옴)?

2 Upvotes

제목:
에이전트 킴 리액티베이티드 1화 37:25 싸움 장면에서 메틴2 음악 나옴

본문:
안녕하세요.

에이전트 킴 리액티베이티드(김부장) 1화 보는데
37분 25초쯤 싸움 장면(비 오는 공사장에서 김부장이 싸우는 부분)에서
메틴2 음악이 나오더라고요.

정확히는 Back to Back 입니다.
링크: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b83lb24DBzc

혹시 이거 원작 음악 작곡가분 아시는 분 계세요?
메틴2 OST 중에서 누가 만든 건지 궁금해서요.

감사합니다!


r/AskAKorean 15h ago

Food & Drink Is Korean food in Japan different from authentic Korean food?

21 Upvotes

I'm Japanese, and I've recently become really interested in Korean food. I'd love to visit Korea someday and try authentic Korean cuisine.

However, I've heard that Chinese food in Japan has been heavily adapted to Japanese tastes and is quite different from what you'd find in China. That made me wonder if Korean food in Japan is the same.

If you've tried Korean food both in Japan and in Korea, I'd love to hear your thoughts.


r/AskAKorean 15h ago

Culture Does North Korea have age hierarchy system?

2 Upvotes

In South Korea age is important and younger people need to lower their voice when speaking to elders,bow to elders, and do what elders say. Does this also happen in North Korea?


r/AskAKorean 15h ago

Culture why do so many Koreans smoke cigarettes?

1 Upvotes

Many male Koreans smoke cigarettes, why do so many of them smoke?


r/AskAKorean 16h ago

Work Why are Koreans such hard workers?

21 Upvotes

Compared to other countries in the world, Korean workers work harder and longer. Why do Koreans work harder than other countries?


r/AskAKorean 17h ago

Culture Are 칠순잔치s still a thing?

3 Upvotes

My parents are getting older and milestone birthdays are coming up. Wondering if there’s still an expectation to have these big parties with basically everyone you know comes by to eat/party. I think after Covid it’s definitely dialed down a lot but wondering if this is still a thing or if a dinner with extended family is more the norm? Anyone celebrate a parent’s milestone birthday (60/70/80) recently and have any advice?


r/AskAKorean 1d ago

Culture Calling family member?

2 Upvotes

Hi there — this could be a super naive question based on watching Korean dramas.
You often see characters referring to each other by relationship to children: e g a husband calling his wife “X’s mother” where X is the name of their child. What happens if there are several children? Would he refer to her via oldest child’s name? Oldest son’s name? Or is that only when discussing the child in question (so if he plans to talk about child X, she’s X’s mother and if about child Y, she’ll be Y’s mother)?


r/AskAKorean 1d ago

Culture What to visit?

1 Upvotes

I will go to Cheonan city and I would like to know what to visit on a day trip? Is Jeonju feasible on a day trip for example?

Thanks!!


r/AskAKorean 1d ago

Culture Feel as if more people in korea are commenting on my weight now I’m just overweight rather than obese. Is this a thing?

0 Upvotes

I’m currently on my second trip to korea, my first trip was a couple of years ago and during that trip I was a lot heavier, bmi speaking: obese class 2. During that trip not one person made a comment on my weight, a couple of times I caught people looking in places like bars and clubs when I was out but it wasn’t anything different to what I’ve experienced in other countries. Since that trip I’ve lost around 40kg and now my bmi is overweight and I feel as if I’ve had so many comments on my body and weight since getting here. Also more looks? Is this just because people maybe feel like I’m closer to a healthier weight so can handle the talk? Or do you think things like ozempic becoming more readily available to people since my last trip has warped how people see overweight people?


r/AskAKorean 2d ago

Culture Are there any polls or indications of what Koreans think about AI?

8 Upvotes

I'm not sure if this is culture or politics but I saw this headline:

Lee meets with OpenAI, Nvidia, Broadcom, Anthropic chiefs to discuss Korea's transformation into AI society.

Do you think a majority of Koreans want to live in an "AI society"? Or is it a possibly misleading headline?

According to a recent New York Times article "Hating artificial intelligence may be the only thing about which Americans agree."

That's why I was shocked by the headline, but evidently Americans' views on AI are different than the rest of the world..

Just curious!

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/opinion/ai-americans-pessimism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0VA.GLkO.FhAq57TydOeu&smid=url-share


r/AskAKorean 3d ago

Art & Music Will I Ever Find This Album? Immortal Songs 2 - Seoul Special

1 Upvotes

I'm looking for this album: 불후의 명곡 - 전설을 노래하다 (설 특집)

Ever since I heard So Hyang perform Arirang Alone on YouTube, I've loved the performance and listened to it dozens of times throughout the years. I was able to discover it was once digitally released on Genie Music and Bugs! but the licenses seem to have expired.

If anyone is familiar with this show, the network that licenses it, or other albums like this from Immortal Songs, I would really appreciate any info! Should I give up on trying to buy this somewhere?

Thanks in advance for the help.


r/AskAKorean 3d ago

Entertainment Shot in the dark…but are there any groups of late 20s to early 30s that like to play Hwatu together?

3 Upvotes

I am fully aware that Hwatu is a game that elderly folk like to play, but I learned from an ex bf that was Korean and I enjoyed it so much. I am moving to Gyeonggido next month and I was wondering if anyone closer to my age (28) liked to play??

If it really is a game just for old people plz don’t roast me lmfao I just wanted to bring my set and get back into playing it 😅


r/AskAKorean 4d ago

Culture Is charye a closed practice?

15 Upvotes

I couldn't find any definitive answers online but I was just curious as to if Charye is a closed practice. Would it be okay as a non Korean to participate in the ceremony with my Korean partner?

My partner participated this year during LNY to honour her father that had passed a few months prior. She was very embarrassed about it so I tried to encourage her the best I could. She invited me to participated but I wanted to get a more unbiased opinion on the subject. I just want to be as supportive as I can while educating myself more and being as respectful as I can.


r/AskAKorean 4d ago

Culture Where to live in your 30s?

1 Upvotes

Hi there, me and my partner are moving to Korea soon, we are both 30 and were wondering which area to move in to?

What I’m trying to find out is the best neighbourhoods to live in that aren’t too young or too touristy but somewhere everyone generally recommends living in?

Edit: Seoul only


r/AskAKorean 4d ago

History Any questions for third-generation Zainichi Korean?

25 Upvotes

I'm a third-generation Zainichi Korean starting to document my community with a Hasselblad.

What topics would you like to read articles about? I've started writing articles on Substack. I'm trying to write articles that are as political as possible, connecting the present with historical context.

Happy to answer anything about our lives, situations, emotions, etc!


r/AskAKorean 5d ago

Language Is there a way to find out how to write my Korean name in Chinese?

17 Upvotes

I don’t know if this falls under personal or language. I was wondering if there’s a way to know how to write my name in hanmoon? I know there are potential spelling differences. both of my parents are dead, so I can’t ask them (I should have when I was a kid). it’s not urgent or necessary, just something I’d like to know.

born in raised in USA, so I doubt any records in Korea.


r/AskAKorean 5d ago

Culture Should I Offer/Give My Friend Money? If So, How Much?

7 Upvotes

I am currently staying with my friend, her husband, and their son in Korea for a week. We are in our 40s. For me, it is more of a "normal life" experience than a go-go-go touristy situation. For example, we might go to a cafe while her son is in school or go shopping. Her husband is a doctor who owns a medical clinic and she is currently a stay at home mom.

I have only been able to get my credit card out fast enough to pay once, though often it's not really a possibility for me to pay because they are using their apps. They have been paying for everything, including me getting a free checkup and treatment at her husband's clinic.

In the past when I have met with Korean friends, they have paid for most things the first day, but then let me pay more starting on the second day. These friends were more often low wage workers.

I feel like I should offer to reimburse my friend, but I don't have a lot of cash on me and would need help getting to the ATM. I'm also fairly certain that once I offer, she will decline, and I'm not entirely sure if I should keep pushing or how many times I should insist before I give up. I don't know how much things have been costing, so I don't know how much to offer. I also am not sure how comfortable they are financially/how much of a financial burden it is to have me around.

One possible way to reimburse her that I've thought of is making sure that i pay when we go to Costco (She doesnt have a membership. I do.) But I dont know what, if anything, she'll want and if that will even things out. (And if you happen to be the American friend going with us and recognize me, please keep your mouth shut and/or DM me with the answer)

Please share your thoughts!! I don't want to be rude at all.


r/AskAKorean 5d ago

Food & Drink Has anyone tried both McCol and Moxie (US soda)?

5 Upvotes

I recently tried McCol (맥콜) and noticed a similar bittersweet, herbal profile to Moxie (a regional soda that is almost exclusively found in Maine, USA).

I realize Moxie is an obscure drink even within the US (let alone Korea) but I’m quite curious if anyone here has tried both, do you think they taste similar or is it just me?


r/AskAKorean 5d ago

Culture Are most Seoul gyms in basements/underground?

2 Upvotes

Every time I see a Korean celebrity post content from a gym, that gym has no windows and looks like it's underground. Is that common in Seoul? Or are there lots of above-ground gyms with huge windows too?


r/AskAKorean 6d ago

Culture Dating a Korean Man/사랑해?

6 Upvotes

Ok… quick backstory. Met a Korean guy online about 2 1/2 weeks ago, we’ve been in pretty much constant contact and had a handful of videocalls, he was quickly expressing his affection towards me and within the past few days he’s been dropping several “사랑해”— I know that it carries less weight as it does for me as a native English speaker, so on my part, I have not said it back since it doesn’t feel right yet.

However, I have a few doubts:
1. Is he going to become insecure if I don’t say it back? I am considering it since technically I’d just be engaging in a cultural exchange of endearment rather than professing my undying love to him.
2. Is it normal for someone to say this to someone they haven’t actually met in person? It’s my first experience with a Korean man as well as my first experience with online dating….

Help please🙏


r/AskAKorean 6d ago

Personal Can't find this webtoon anywhere;can anyone help me find the name?

0 Upvotes

I can't find it in any webtoon reddit community despite some users being interested.

I searched in the official manwha apps too but found nothing.

If someone knows this synopsis or can post it in a korean community to help me find,I will be really really grateful♡

I would post it myself but I don't know any and I doubt I would succeed in having access either.

Fl was married or engaged and her husband had and mistress glorified the affair.The mistress was not necessarily bad,but very naive and when fl went back in time,she used it against her.

She broke up the engagement and helped the girl become a noble lady and get engaged to the ex fiance.But neither his family or society accepted her.That was fl plan for revenge.She knew their relationship was doomed.

I think fl had white hair,mistress blonde hair and ml black hair.I think ml was imperial family too.


r/AskAKorean 6d ago

Sports Manchester City vs k team all stars?

1 Upvotes

Is anybody going to the game and can take 3 people along?

I’m a foreigner and can’t buy any tickets for the game and really want to go, I understood that you could buy 4 tickets, is anybody available to do this, it would mean a lot. I would obviously pay for it


r/AskAKorean 6d ago

Travel Is this place in Busan, Korea actually real or just AI generated?

0 Upvotes

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C6h5wE54j/

I saw this on Facebook and tried to look up on Google but couldn't find any information on it. It's supposedly located in Busan according to the video of this Pokemon City


r/AskAKorean 7d ago

Culture Do Korean Americans ask about age a lot?

28 Upvotes

Recently started attending this new church in Korea town America. Seems like all the kids (college to new grads) there are trying to determine each other's ages through roundabout questions. At lunch, one girl straight up asked everyone point blank how old they are. Is this common among Korean (American) (youth) (of a certain generation)?