Many foreigners agree that compared to other countries, Korea is a country with a lot of convenient things. Undeniably, there is some inconvenience as well, and yet convenient things easily outnumber inconvenient ones in Korea.  

Recently, a foreigner living in Korea posted on the internet “Seven surprising things about Korea.” According to him, the first one is the superb public transportation system. In Seoul, for example, you can go anywhere by bus or the subway and thus you do not need a car to get around.

The second surprise is the astonishingly fast speed of the internet. In Korean society where “Palli Palli” (Hurry up!) is ubiquitous, it is only natural that the fast speed of the internet is imperative. The third one is the excellent delivery system that is a uniquely Korean phenomenon. In Korea, you can request delivery for virtually everything, including, groceries, laundry, and even McDonald’s hamburgers. 

On his list, jjimjilbang (Korean style sauna) ranks the fourth. At the jjimjilbang, you can relax and rest, and even stay overnight. The fifth surprise is the Korean people’s amazing ability to come to the workplace by 9 a.m. even after drinking until 11 p.m. the previous night, due to frequent “hoesik” or evening social gathering.

The sixth is the numerous church buildings in Korea and the crosses that dot the skyline. Surprisingly, South Korea has about 50,000 churches, with five of the world’s biggest churches being in Seoul.

The seventh surprise is the ubiquitous “hagwon” in Korea. Hagwon resemble prep school in nature, but have become unofficial schools and playgrounds as well. Korean students do not have time to play with friends. Thus, they not only study but also play at hagwon.

Another foreigner, an American, uploaded a video to YouTube titled “Things We Love about Korea That You Can’t Find in America.” First, you do not need to drive in Seoul, thanks to the excellent bus and the subway lines that take you to every nook and cranny of the city. In the States, you need to drive all the time, even when you drop off or pick up laundry.

Second, Korean food is healthy because it uses a lot of vegetables. The American says that in America you eat a lot of deserts and fried food. He also argues that in Korean restaurants you can stay as long as you wish. In American restaurants, as soon as you are done eating, a waiter or a waitress will bring you a bill and then a receipt, as if you were expected to leave right away.

Third, you can enjoy the excellent delivery or shipping service in Korea. In America, if you want express delivery, you have to pay a lot more than regular delivery. In Korea, the super speed delivery or shipping service is very cheap so people can easily take advantage of it. Fourth, there is a fast food delivery service in Korea, which is not available in America. 

The charming Korean bargaining custom in the marketplace ranks fourth. In the States, perhaps you can bargain only when purchasing a car or a house. Otherwise, there is a price tag attached to virtually everything. In Korea, however, you can bargain frequently, which is convenient.

Sixth, the frequent occurrence of “hoesik” through which colleagues can get to know each other. In America, colleagues seldom socialize after work, not as much as in Korea. On the contrary, Koreans socialize in after work drinking gatherings. However, the younger generation no longer likes hoesik these days. 

Seventh, foreign students are surprised at the communal spirit prevalent in Korean universities. In American universities, freshmen would not possibly meet or know seniors. On the contrary, in Korean universities, students get to know each other quite well through MT, which stands for membership training. This is called “gwabang culture” and gwabang means a department room where students socialize and make friends.

Eighth, the American is surprised at the Koreans’ amazing zeal for study. He says that in American culture, having fun and playing are as important as studying. In Korea, however, study is priority number one and playing or developing social skills are secondary.

Ninth, he is also impressed by the efficient separate garbage collection system in Korea. Koreans put kitchen refuse, paper, cans, plastics, ordinary garbage in separate trash bags. In America, people do not seem to bother to do it for recycling. Tenth is the excellent medical insurance system. The American points out that in the doctor’s office, a Korean can see the doctor within a few minutes and pay only $2-$3. On the contrary, in the States, an American usually has to wait for hours and pay about $80.

Due to cultural differences, foreigners are surprised and impressed by things we are not aware of or take for granted. We can see ourselves more clearly and learn valuable things from their profound insight into Korean society. 

By Kim Seong-kon

Kim Seong-kon is a professor emeritus of English at Seoul National University and president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. He can be reached at sukim@snu.ac.kr. -- Ed.