ContentsView article sections
Written by Eun Kyng Seo, Ph.D., Licensed Professional Counselor(USA)
The Role of Age in Korean Culture
The first time I traveled to Hong Kong in 1996, I learned that asking age could be embarrassing in different cultures. In Korean society, age differentiates an individual’s roles and responsibilities, and this generates a rigid hierarchy system in family, work, and communities. If you have been in a Korean community, you might have experienced that elders have the authority to make decisions. Questioning their status and opinions can be considered as ill-mannered in Korean culture. Then, what can be the reason for this rigid hierarchy?
Korean society has been pervasively influenced by Confucianism, which strongly emphasizes harmony between relationships. Confucianism, founded by Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, defines social ethics, morals, and values to govern a society. Respect and obedience are the major social drives to operate a harmonious society.
Traditionally, Confucianism differentiated relational superiority and inferiority based on genders and ages, which defined an individual’s roles in family, work, and communities. Traditional Korean ethics taught relational inferiors (i.e., younger and/or female) ought to serve superiors (i.e., older and/or male) in communities. An example of showing respect to elders is that, during a meal, I was taught to only begin eating after the elders at the table had a bite.
Changes in Korean Culture Over Time
Although the traditional gender roles or gender gap has been slowly dying out by the influences of Western culture, Korean society still adheres to traditional gender roles. What remains especially strong is the expectation that younger people will be respectful and obedient of their elders. For example, the Korean language differentiates the words used when speaking to someone older and younger. In addition, age differentiates an individual’s title, and calling older people’s names without their titles can be considered quite rude. For example, younger females call older males as “Oppa,” younger females call older females “Unni,” Younger males call older males “Hyung,” and young males call older females “Noona.”
The Reason Korean’s Ask Age of Those They Meet and the Reason Korean’s State Their Age When They Meet
It is because by asking about another’s age and sharing their age, they may observe the expected etiquette.
If you are going through a difficult time. Reach out to us so that we may journey with you and support you through it.
Phone: 02-749-7915
Email: [email protected]
Website: ahskorea.com
Article Information & History
Article History
No formal audit has been recorded for this article under the current South of Seoul editorial process.
Before You Act
South of Seoul articles document information available at a particular point in time. Prices, hours, services, policies, procedures, laws, eligibility requirements, transportation, contact details, and local conditions can change.
Use this article as a research starting point and confirm important details using current official resources, direct contact, Naver Maps, Kakao Map, and other reliable sources when appropriate.
For consequential immigration, legal, medical, or financial decisions, confirm current requirements with the relevant official authority or an appropriately qualified professional.
See something that needs updating?
Help us keep practical information useful. Reader reports are reviewed by our editorial team and do not automatically change this article.
KimchiRednecks
Ara Ko Lopez
Lisa Peck, MPH, CPH
Elise Petersen
LeaDan Yee, M.Ed