Countries & Cities
How well do you know South Korea?
No K-pop and no K-dramas. These six questions explore the everyday customs, inventions and traditions that make South Korea unique.
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Did you know?
- Kimjang, the tradition of making and sharing large batches of kimchi, is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
- Hangul Day on 9 October celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet.
- Some haenyeo divers continue working well into their eighties.
The stories behind Korean traditions
South Korea is famous today for its technology and entertainment, but many of its most interesting stories come from traditions that go back centuries.
An alphabet designed on purpose
Hangul is one of the few writing systems created deliberately rather than evolving over time. Its letters reflect the shape of the mouth when making each sound.
Food as a way of life
Kimchi is so central to Korean meals that families once made huge batches each autumn in a tradition called kimjang, now recognized by UNESCO.
Early printing pioneers
Korea was experimenting with metal movable type long before it appeared in Europe — the Jikji is the oldest surviving proof.