If you have ever visited Korea or stayed in Korea for quite some time, you have probably noticed that a lot of Korean people ask “what is your blood type?”. This question is one of the most common questions that Korean people ask, apart from “How old are you?”. In Korea, it is perfectly fine to ask about a person’s blood type, especially if you want to get to know someone very well instantly, in particular, on a blind date. The reason is that Korean people believe that each blood type has its own distinct personality and it is the quickest way to determine a person’s temperament and even compatibility with others. You may feel confused as to why people ask about blood types in Korea, but don’t worry. If you are asked this by a Korean,... Show more

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more

On the Lunar New Year, or Seollal, Koreans celebrate one of the country’s most important holidays. The Lunar New Year celebration in South Korea focuses on respect for one’s elders and ancestors, as well as time with family and loved ones. In this blog post, we will focus on the importance of Seollal and the festivities that native Koreans enjoy during this important holiday. At KoreanClass101.com, it’s our aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article! Let’s get started. Table of Contents 설날 (Seollal) and Its Importance in Korea Paying Tribute to Ancestors During 설날 (seollal) 세배 (sebae), the New Year Bowing 떡국 (tteokguk) and other Korean... Show more

The PyeongChang Winter Olympics are approximately one month away, and the anticipation is growing higher and higher. While some people may have been to Korea before, PyeongChang is likely a new place for many--How do you get there? Where are the venues? And once you get there, how do you purchase last minute tickets, or souvenirs to take back home? We’ve prepared the phrases that you’ll need for enjoying the PyeongChang Olympics so that you will be able to enjoy the games--whether you will be sitting in the stadium watching it live, or in another part of Korea, watching it on TV--don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Also, don't forget to download your free cheat sheet - Survival Phrase List for PyeongChang Olympics 2018 - below.... Show more

Learn all the Korean New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join KoreanClass101 for a special Korean New Year celebration! Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated. So, how do you say Happy New Year in... Show more