Surprisingly, some restrooms in Korea have displays that show in real time which stalls are occupied and which are available.
It’s definitely high-tech… but honestly, I’m not sure why we need this.
Korea makes support for pregnant women very visible, with priority access, discounts, financial support, and other benefits.
Despite all this, the birth rate remains very low.
There’s still a long way to go.
In Korea, there are traditional days during the summer when people eat nourishing foods to restore their energy and take care of their health during the hot weather.
These days are called the first, second, and final “Bok” days of summer — Chobok (the first Bok day), Jungbok (the second Bok day), and Malbok (the final Bok day).
On these days, people traditionally eat nourishing or restorative foods to replenish their energy.
One of the most representative dishes is ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang).
So when Chobok, Jungbok, or Malbok comes around, it’s very common for Koreans to eat a bowl of hot ginseng chicken soup to recharge during the summer heat.
Honestly, I think Samsung makes better phones now. Apple is reportedly making a foldable phone, but isn’t it using a Samsung display?
Does that mean Samsung is now one step ahead?
I was surprised to see that many Koreans go into the sea wearing full outfits, like T-shirts, long sleeves, shorts, or leggings.
I feel like it would be quite uncomfortable and heavy once the clothes get wet. How do people swim and enjoy the beach while wearing so many clothes? Is it mainly because of sun protection, or is it just part of Korean beach culture?
I was told this is a Korean melon, or chamoe. Someone also said you can only find it in Korea. Is that actually true, or is it common in other countries too?
In Europe, getting a new pair of glasses can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
But Korea? You get your eyes tested, walk around the neighborhood for a bit, and when you come back, your glasses are already finished.
It's insane.
The biggest surprise was how cheap oysters are here. In Europe, they’re considered a luxury and are usually too expensive to eat in large quantities.
But in Korea, oysters are so affordable that you can basically eat them by the spoonful.
Sooooooooo good
Some restaurants in Korea have self-service tray return stations. After eating, customers are expected to return their own dishes.
You might wonder why you should clean up after paying for the meal, but it is a fairly natural part of Korean culture.
Do you know what this is?
It’s basically an honesty store. There are no staff. You just pick what you want, calculate the total yourself, pay, and leave.
Seriously... what kind of confidence is that?
Is Korea really safe enough for something like this? Where you’re from, would this survive more than a day?
I've noticed that many Koreans place a napkin or tissue on the table before putting their spoon and chopsticks on it.
Is this mainly for hygiene, or is it also considered proper table manners in Korea?
If you accidentally press the wrong floor button in many elevators in Korea, try pressing the same button again.
The light turns off, and the floor selection is canceled.
It blew my mind. Such a simple but genius feature.
This would be unthinkable in most countries. Every table has a button so customers never have to wait.
Press it, and someone shows up within three seconds. Absolutely insane.
That weird-looking thing?
It’s actually really good soap.
They’re unbelievably clean and don’t smell.
Koreans clearly understand how important clean public transportation is.
Apparently when there’s an outbreak, one of the first things they disinfect is the subway.
Sounds obvious, but honestly, a lot of countries still don’t get it.
Shade umbrellas for people waiting at crosswalks in summer?
That’s insanely thoughtful.
Koreans are so detailed and lovely.