KoreanClass101.com Blog

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

There’s a saying that trust is hard to earn yet easy to lose. The same can be said for foreign language skills. Being proficient in Korean takes hours of practice and study, but if you stop using the language it will fade from your memory. To put it simply: if you don’t use it, you lose it. That’s why it’s so important to incorporate the Korean language into your daily life as much as possible (assuming of course that you’re serious about learning the language). In this post we look at five ways you can use Korean on a daily basis and immerse yourself in the language, even if you don’t live anywhere near Seoul. 1) Live your digital life in Korean As technology increases people are living more of their lives in the... 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