With the increasing popularity around K-Pop music and most recently the chilling Netflix series, Squid Game, the world is eager to know more about the East Asian nation of South Korea. While we get to learn a little bit about South Korea through music and the media, not much is known about what really goes on in this unique country. To learn more about some of the most distinctive and sometimes alien-like things that happen in South Korea, read on!
Grandmothers Get To Go To School In South Korea
Due to the increasing low birth rates in South Korea, one local school decided to do something unprecedented. Since statistics don't really seem to be getting that much better, the school took a step towards reducing illiteracy rates in South Korea by focusing on the elderly. Targetting illiterate grandmothers and grandfathers, the school opened a few admissions every academic year for the elderly who would like to learn how to read and write.
The initiative was received with open arms by the public since its only purpose is to increase education levels among South Korean citizens. It's quite sweet, too!
This Is What A COVID-19 Care Package Looks Like In South Korea
When one traveler had to be in quarantine in South Korea, they were delighted to receive a very interesting care package sent by the South Korean government. To their surprise, the package came with a ton of supplies, fresh produce, and sanitizers, but what caught their attention the most was the letter that accompanied it. The letter basically sent regards and sympathy towards those suffering from COVID-19 and explained that the content in it was all environment-friendly health supplies.
It ended with some motivational advice and is seriously the best thing to come out of an unfortunate COVID-19 quarantine situation!
A Uniquely Pink Road In Jeju City
South Korea is pretty well-known for its incomparable green sceneries and colorful cities. But we bet that most of us never imagined that an entire street could be this colorful and pink! Several streets in South Korea become completely pink every single year during cherry blossom season. As we can see in this picture, when the city blossoms it does it in full force, covering the entire road from beginning to end!
The scenery looks very much like cotton candy and can be seen literally all over Jeju City, located on Jeju Island. We can only imagine how magical waking up to this scenery is.
Trains In Korea Play Broadcasts Meant To Heal People
We all know how hard it can be to spend hours commuting to and from work every single day. And while this could be a relaxing moment in someone's day, it usually involves stressful situations, like running around, standing in a train full of people, and the list goes on. To try to improve things for commuters, Korean Ktx trains decided to play the cutest, most wholesome images on the trains' TV screen.
Every once in a while, videos of newborn puppies are displayed for about five minutes at a time, for the commuters to enjoy. Isn't that something?
Plane Tickets Come With Detailed Maps of the Airport in Seoul
Now here's something that literally any airport should have, especially huge airports that make you walk for miles to get from one point to another. In order to make things a little bit easier for travelers, boarding passes at airports in Seoul are printed with a very simple map leading to their boarding gate. That way, as soon as travelers check in they know exactly where they need to go and how long it will take to get there.
This simple but revolutionary detail probably makes traveling to and from Seoul much easier than almost any other airport in the world.
The Change of Seasons in South Korea Is Quite Something
If you live in a country where all four seasons feel the same, then you might want to plan a trip to South Korea to experience something completely different. The country certainly boasts a unique look into every single season of the year. Not only does the weather change, but whole streets change as well. Just imagine casually strolling through town only to find this stunning view.
For South Korean citizens, there is time to enjoy and explore every single season's authenticity without feeling like one's missing out on anything.
This Is the Only Tree to Last Several Typhoons
Whoever took this picture shared just how happy they were to see this stunning tree standing after several typhoons hit South Korea. The vast expanse of warm water in the Northwest Pacific area makes it a location that is incredibly prone to intense storms. According to scientists, this area sees the most number of tropical cyclones and typhoons in the world. Luckily, South Korea is a little bit more sheltered in comparison to other prone countries in the Asian continent.
And yet, the country still experiences a large number of typhoons per year, with some of them being more aggressive than others.
A Free Library In A Subway in Seoul
Here's another cool initiative implemented by South Koreans that allows commuters on the subway to have some intellectual entertainment during their daily commute. The mini-library allows daily travelers to choose whichever book they want for free, as long as they either put it back or substitute it for another one. The initiative is only one of many attempts to improve the quality of life of South Koreans, especially those who spend hours on the road every day.
Of course, the initiative was received incredibly well by commuters, and by the looks of it, everyone respects the rules and one another.
In South Korea, Painters Cover Cars When Painting A Nearby Building
Okay, this is simply a whole other level of organization and consideration for others! Just when we thought that South Korea couldn't have more unique initiatives, we see this picture! The experience of getting to one's car and finding out that a bunch of paint fell on it is definitely not the greatest experience to have. So these painters decided to not put people through this headache by making things a little bit easier for them.
They shrouded car by car with a plastic cover so that all cars would be protected from paint splatter as they were painting the buildings nearby. How thoughtful!
A Starbucks In Seoul Is Recycling Used Coffee Grounds
Those who are familiar with gardening probably know that coffee grounds can do wonders to our garden and house plants. So this Starbucks in Seoul decided to come up with a cool initiative to help others while also helping the planet! Instead of throwing away their used coffee grounds in the trash, they carefully put them in little bags so that customers would take them completely for free.
Each customer is welcome to take the grounds and spread them around their garden. The initiative was so well-received that it inspired other coffeshops to do the same.
People In Quarantine In South Korea Receive Food Rations
If the quarantine care package wasn't enough, the South Korean government also delivers food rations to people who find themselves stuck at home because of COVID-19. Most of us probably know how difficult it can be to get supplies when one is in quarantine, so a little help always comes in handy. According to this lucky person, the food rations come complete with supplies like water, instant noodles, soup, and rice.
Now we know for sure that if we travel to South Korea, if we happen to get stuck in a quarantine situation we would probably be just fine.
A Glorious Hand-Painted Temple
Amongst the many unique things that characterize Korea are its holy temples spread around the country. There are approximately 20,000 temples in South Korea, with some of them being the most stunning in the world. Many of these temples are centuries old and have been built by hand with tons of little details that differentiate them from one another. Take a look at this one for example. Its roof has thousands of details that were hand-painted decades ago.
Now, we have no idea how long it took or how many people it took to get the underside of the temple to look this way, but we can safely say that the work was worth it.
Just Imagine Passing This By On A Daily Basis
This lucky South Korean resident shared what looks like an impossible scenery. And you know what's so awesome about it? It's that they get to see it every single day. This Fairyland paradise is located near Euljiro 1-ga Station in Seoul, and it literally swoops anyone who sees it off their feet. In fact, even for those who get to experience it on a daily basis, the scenery simply never gets old.
Sadly, some would say that the entire thing causes a little bit too much light pollution, but others would say that the magical feeling around it is totally worth it.
Cats Are Protected In This Street
For a person who is not familiar with a sign like this one, it might take a few minutes to understand what we're looking at. Apparently, South Korean streets have a sign with a little cat that stands for "Caution: Cat is Around." This way, people know to drive and walk more carefully in case a cute kitty appears out of the blue. In some places, more than others, cats completely populate entire neighborhoods, so the sign has probably saved many feline lives by now.
Obviously, the sign catches the attention of anyone visiting South Korea, since it's quite rare in other places in the world.
The Famous 2D Cafe Located In Seoul
There is a high chance that you've probably seen this image, or at least heard about the existence of this cafe located in Seoul. The 2D cafe called Cafe Yeonnam-dong 239-20 makes any customer feel like they have literally stepped into a cartoon film. The design was inspired by one of South Korea's hit shows, which portrays different characters clashing between a fantasy world and the world we live in.
The entire cafe was designed to provide customers with this 2D optical illusion. From one corner to the other, the place is covered with black and white comic strip walls and furniture, and it couldn't be more impressive.
Modern South Korea Vs. Historic South Korea
For those who like a healthy mix of historic and modern, South Korea might just be the country to visit. The country is certainly known for its contrasts, which give us a glimpse into what a place full of history and culture looks like in the middle of a modern world. Several cities like Busan and Seoul are famously ultra-modern, while also keeping the historical part alive.
In this picture, we see exactly that. While the background is full of modern and eccentric buildings, the colorful house we see takes us back to what Korea once looked like.
Charming Korean Restaurants In The Snow
Like we saw a few pictures ago, South Korean seasons come in full force when it's their time. In this picture, we get to see a little bit of what a South Korean town looks like at the peak of winter, and once again, it looks like something out of a fairytale. The entire town is completely covered in snow, with bikes, cars, and any object left outside smothered in white.
Someone managed to capture the magic of winter through this picture, by portraying what tiny Korean restaurants look like when a huge blizzard is happening outside.
South Korea Has Solar Powered Benches Spread All Over
We've all probably understood by now that South Korea takes environmental initiatives quite seriously. With the state of the world right now and the increasing urgency around global warming, it is quite exciting to see that some cities and countries out there truly are taking the matter seriously and into their own hands. In this picture, we see a solar-powered bench, an initiative that is becoming more and more common around South Korean cities.
The bench comes with wireless and USB charging docks, making life much easier for pedestrians who need to charge their devices. And the greatest part is that the entire thing is made sustainably!
This Is What One Of Korea's Best Hiking Trails Looks Like
Pictured here is the Bukhansan trail, located on the highest mountain in Seoul city, the Bukhan mountain. The trail includes three incredible peaks and is a real treat for adventurers who love a good hike in nature. Since the mountain is located on the borders of Seoul and is relatively high, it is viewed from many places around the city.
A lucky hiker was able to capture this stunning picture, portraying how one of South Korea's many seasons looks from within the trail. But Bukhan is not the only mountain around, and the others are similarly stunning.
One Of South Korea's Most Famous Art Installations: "Root Bench"
If there is one thing that is not missing in South Korea, it's art. The country is known for its talented artists, responsible for stunning installations such as this one. The public installation is called "Root Bench," and was created by famous architect Yong Ju Lee. The installation can be seen in Hangag art park, and it measures 30 meters in diameter, which is almost 100 feet!
The circle-shaped monument was built directly on the grass, and its concept revolves around being an organic shape that sprawls out from the center.
There Are Traffic Lights On The Ground For People Looking At Their Phones
Now here's something that unfortunately will have to become more common in other places in the world. Our phones have literally taken over a big part of our lives, so it's not unusual that people will walk around with their eyes on their screens instead of on a road. With the intent of preventing anything bad from happening, the South Korean government decided to find an innovative solution for pedestrians.
In addition to the regular traffic light, South Korean cities also often have traffic lights on the ground so that if a person is busy looking at their phone, they will also see the light.
A Popsicle With A Small Tray To Prevent Spilling
Now, this is a useful invention for kids and adults alike. Apparently, this South Korean brand used an innovative method to prevent people from getting all sticky when enjoying a yummy popsicle. They simply made a small tray under their yummy product to catch any dripping from getting all over your hands, clothes, and the floor. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
For parents of small kids, this invention was actually pretty revolutionary, since we all know what happens when a little kid eats a melting popsicle!
South Korea Has An Eccentric Landscape
So far, we've all learned so many new facts about South Korea, but the distinctive scenery of this interesting country never gets old. South Korea has one of those landscapes that are simply impossible to forget. There are mountains, narrow coastal plains, small valleys, modern buildings, and some visually arresting old artifacts. South Korea boasts 21 national parks, and the views are quite stunning, like this one here.
Curiously, the entire peninsula is surrounded by some 3,000 volcanic Islands, which sounds pretty dangerous when you think about it.
A Lonely Pine Tree In Daedunsan
Speaking of mountains and incredible landscape, here is a great snap to represent the mountain Daedunsan of Chungcheongnam-do, located in the Western part of South Korea. The old pine tree stands on the peak of the mountain, which has an elevation of 878 meters. For 6km straight, the mountain looks like its made of thousands and thousands of stone pillars which contribute to the uniqueness of this South Korean landscape.
But while the pine tree is the star of this photo, the mountain has so much more to offer. There are oak trees, fruit trees, and vegetation that grows at 600m in height!
Pedestrians Can Rest Every Half Kilometer In This South Korean City
From the projects we've seen until now, it is clear to see that the comfort of pedestrians and commuters in South Korea is important to decision-makers. In addition to public libraries on the subway and non-stop videos of puppies on the train, some South Korean cities also make sure that pedestrians have some shade and a place to sit on a regular basis. In this South Korean town called Ansan, pedestrians actually have a resting place every 5km.
That way, even if someone knows that they're about to walk for a long while, they know that they will be able to have a rest in a comfortable space.
An Extra-Organized Super-Market With Color Coded Shelves
If you're a person who enjoys neatly organized spaces, then you'll probably thrive in this South Korean supermarket. While this is not necessarily how all supermarkets organize their shelves, this one stood out so much that a customer just had to snap a photo and post it online. Apparently, whoever works in this supermarket loves making the shelves pleasing to the eye, and might suffer from a mild case of OCD.
The chip bags are color-coded, and while it's visually stunning, it probably also makes it easier to see how many flavors are available.
South Korean Latte Art Is Popular
This picture shows just one example of the wide latte art scene happening around South Korean cities. Korean culture is pretty big on coffee shops, with both coffee chains and tiny local shops serving some of the most delicious coffee out there. And of course, the coffee doesn't just come with a distinctive taste. Just look at that Charlie Brown face! It looks so adorable and delicious at the same time.
Honestly, we would feel a little sad to drink this little guy up, which kind of beats the whole purpose of getting a coffee, but that's just us!
A Very Serious Approach To Battling COVID-19
Like in many other countries in the world, when the COVID-19 pandemic spread through the entire planet, South Korea took things very seriously right from the start. We've already seen how the country treats people in quarantine and those diagnosed with the virus, and this post shows how they deal with it in public spaces. According to this person, going to the beach in South Korea during the COVID-19 era is heavily monitored.
According to the person who took this photo, each beach-goer is given a sticker to put on their arm, which acts as a waterproof thermometer. If one's temperature rises, they're expected to head to the beach entrance and get their temperature checked.
There's An Entire Channel for Dog on South Korean TV
Dog lovers will probably go insane about this South Korean channel solely dedicated to pups from all over. This tourist was in South Korea for the first time, when they turned on the TV looking for something interesting to watch. When they came across a channel that only seemed to show doggies of all breeds, it took them a while to realize that they were looking at a dog channel.
So if you love watching random dogs do random things, or you just have a dog, this may be the most perfect channel for you. We're guessing that the channel has sound stimulants for dogs, cute puppies playing around, and lots of unique and entertaining dog content.
The Largest Club In The World Is Located In Seoul
Bold architecture is another characteristic of South Korea. Here, we get to have a glimpse of what is believed to be the largest nightclub in the world. The club is called Club Chroma and is located in Seoul. It was created by MVRDV Architecture and it's quite a sight to say the least!
Although we can't really see it in this picture, the nightclub is also pretty iconic from the inside, boasting an indoor theme park for club-goers.
Daegaksa Temple, A Temple Like No Other
Daegaksa Temple is one of South Korea's most famous temples, having been founded all the way back in 1911 by Yongseong Seunim. The unique temple is pretty close to Changdeokgung Palace, another landmark in the country. But who was Yongseong Seunim? Seunim famously fought within the Korean independence movement. His legacy has become so prominent that several reforms of modern Buddhism have come after him.
And believe it or not, while the holy temple is now a three-story building decorated with thousands of details, back in 1986, it was only a small hanok, or traditional Korean house, before being reconstructed.
People Are Encouraged To Use The Stairs In The Weirdest Way
Now, we're pretty sure that in many places in the world this tactic would not be received so well. We're not sure if it's common in South Korea, but this subway has a very interesting way of motivating people to take the stairs. On the floor, there is literally a drawing of a thin person, next to a fat person. The thin person points towards the stairs, while the fat person points towards the escalator.
By the looks of this picture though, it doesn't seem like the tactic is taken that seriously by South Koreans since most commuters still use the escalator.
An Escalator Sanitizer That Should Probably Be Mandatory
Over the last two years, we can only imagine the amount of sanitizer used by people around the world. Due to the global pandemic, several places have installed sanitizers including stores, places of worship, gyms, and the list goes on. But something that is still not as common is the placement of free sanitizers next to escalators, even though escalators are smothered in a never-ending number of germs.
So the people in charge of this escalator tried to make things a little more sanitary by adding what looks like UV light hand sanitizers for whoever uses it. Clever!
Some Streets In South Korea Clean Themselves
Now, this is certainly something that we don't see every day! Not too long ago, the South Korean government shared its plan to create self-cleaning, self-warming, and self-charging roads that would increase the cleanliness of the city, while also contributing to a healthier environment. The 10-year ambitious project includes a smart road monitoring and risk-averse system that is able to detect emergencies quickly and even restore certain situations automatically.
The system also makes the road more eco-friendly, with smart energy generation systems and an EV charging infrastructure that operates in real-time. The project gives us a great insight into a future that seems to be more sustainable in South Korean towns.
Customers Can Test Toilet Paper In South Korean Supermarkets
Parts of South Korean culture are truly inspiring, but there are some things that may look rather alien-like for non-locals. For example, in some South Korean supermarkets, customers can actually grab toilet paper samples and test them before buying their favorite brand. Now, we have no idea what testing toilet paper means, but we're sure they've got it all figured out.
It does make us wonder how many other items people get to test in Korean supermarkets before purchasing. It can't all be toilet paper!
Some Cakes In South Korea Come With A Free Knife And Candles
How cool is it that in some stores in South Korea, when you order a cake, you also get a plastic cake knife, candles, and matches for free? While this is not the case for all places, several bakeries and shops have adopted the trend and have probably made their customers very happy. How thoughtful is this?
This way, whenever someone buys a birthday cake at the last minute, they know that they won't have to worry about looking for candles and other cake-related accessories.
A Very Traditional South Korean House
Korean architecture is known worldwide for its naturalistic tendencies, which combine the economy of shape, simplicity, and the avoidance of eccentric architectural choices. For example, a traditional Korean house is known as a Hanok, first designed all the way back in the 14th century. The combination of stone and wood is quite common in Hanok houses, resulting in very elegant and distinctive structures. Interior gardens and courtyards are also quite common in traditional Korean architecture, usually characterized by the combination of different designs and their natural environment.
The house pictured here is a typical South Korean house, easily distinguishable thanks to its traditional architectural structures.
Some South Korean Trains Have Karaoke Booths
If Karaoke is your thing, then you might want to catch a South Korean train to experience your own karaoke booth. The surprises just keep on coming when it comes to the amount of entertainment the South Korean transport system provides to commuters. Amongst the other entertainment sources we've already mentioned here, there is one that is tailored specifically for those who simply love singing.
Certain trains have built-in single-person karaoke booths that usually don't cost much to use. While one person may not necessarily have a big karaoke party, they certainly have the option to entertain themselves for a few minutes.
A Tower That Literally Takes You On A Trip
It seems like there are endless cool buildings in South Korea. The Seocho Garak Tower East is another remarkable structure, and it's another example of modern Korean architecture. The tower has 24 floors, and it took three years to build. The skyscraper is located in Seoul and can be seen from several points across the city due to its impressive height.
The structure was designed by a Dutch firm called ArchitectenConsort, and is famous for its pretty unusual, mind-bending shape.
There Are Pump Toothpastes For Sale In South Korea
Now here's a very convenient invention available for sale in most South Korean supermarkets. Instead of the usual toothpaste tube that often requires a lot of effort, a company decided to invent pump toothpaste. The toothpaste is designed to allow people to pump once and to have just the perfect amount to brush their teeth. The invention not only makes life easier when brushing one's teeth, but it also encourages customers to waste less toothpaste.
We wonder how this will do in other parts of the world though, as it might take some time for people to change the way they've used toothpaste their whole lives.