NEWKorean Noraebang Guide: How to Do Karaoke Like a Local
There’s a rule at my restaurant’s staff dinners that everyone learns fast: the night doesn’t end at the table. After the f…
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Culture & Language
Understand the real Korea. Guides to Korean culture, etiquette, and everyday language for foreigners — from dating and ‘ssum’ to nunchi, honorifics (반말 vs 존댓말), age and titles, texting slang, and natural reactions. Learn what Koreans really mean and how to respond like a local.
NEWKorean Drinking Etiquette: Rules Every Foreigner Should Know
At my first proper 회식 (staff dinner) years ago as a young cook, I made the classic rookie mistake: I…
NEWVisiting a Korean Home: Etiquette Guide for Foreigners
Last Chuseok I invited one of my restaurant’s part-timers — a graduate student from Canada wit…
NEWTipping in Korea: Do You Tip? (The Simple Answer)
A tourist once left a 10,000-won bill tucked under his plate at my restaurant. My server spotted it,…
Incheon Airport to Seoul: Transport Guide for Foreigners
The most expensive mistake I see visitors make happens before they’ve even reached Seoul: hopp…
How to Leave a Gathering Politely in Korea
At Korean group dinners, there’s a quiet art to being the first one to leave — and I’ve …
How to Respond to Compliments in Korea (Modesty)
The first time you compliment a Korean friend and they immediately fire back “아니에요, 아니에요,̶…
Banmal vs Jondaetmal: Casual vs Polite Korean
A friend who runs a team in Seoul once told me the fastest way a new hire loses points isn’t a…
What Is ‘Ssum’ (썸)? Korea’s Pre-Dating Stage Explained
A while back, a coworker of mine spent weeks firmly insisting she wasn’t dating anyone — she w…