Explore Korea - Unveiling the Wonders

All About South Korea

South Korea History

History

South Korean history is marked with tales of endurance, innovation and transformation. It tells the tale of multiple dynasties vying for power, foreign invasions that have attempted to uproot age-old traditions and the perseverance behind holding on to one’s roots. The earliest signs of life in the Korean Peninsula date back to the prehistoric era. The formation of the Korean State is attributed to the mythical figure named Dangun who formed Gojoseon around 2333 B.C.

Once World War II was over, the Korean Peninsula was split into two zones- The Soviet-supported North and US-supported South. The formation of separate governments ultimately led to the Korean War in 1950 which lasted till the armistice in 1953. They agreed to remain separate states that were ruled by separate powers.

Local Culture

Culture

South Korean culture is a beacon for innovation while preserving and respecting traditional roots. This culture is often referred to as ‘Han Culture’ as it showcases signs from Buddhism, Confucianism and Shamanism simultaneously.

Hangul Calligraphy is regarded as a high art form and it is often used to create astounding works or art. The Hanbok is the traditional attire of the country and is worn during special occasions like religious festivals. Important ceremonial rituals include the Korean ‘Coming of Age’ ceremony which is known as Seijnshiki and is held for young adults.

Tea is the most popular beverage in Korea and Green Tea tops the list among all available varieties. The art scene is also quite vibrant in this region and you can find many art forms like pansori (narrative singing), embroidery and mask dancing.

Traditional Languages

Languages

The languages and dialects spoken in South Korea reflect its rich linguistic heritage and complexity. However, the most commonly spoken language is Korean (Hangul). It is the mother tongue of almost every native that resides in these lands and spoken by over 80 million people. It consists of its own alphabet system as well. It was developed during the 15th century and is known for its phonetic nature and simplicity.

English is also a commonly spoken language in these parts and is often taught in schools as well. The globalised economy and Western pop culture have made learning English almost a necessity for locals. Most Koreans understand English and can speak a bit, whereas citizens of major towns like Seoul are confidently bilingual.

Chinese is spoken by a small part of the population.

Currency and Payment

Currency

Currency and payment systems have transformed over the years due to rapid economic success and widespread globalisation. The official currency of South Korea is the South Korean Won denoted by ‘₩’ symbol. This is further segregated into coins and banknotes .

As far as coins are concerned, you can use 10₩, 50₩, 100₩, 500₩ coins as legal tender. However, banknotes let you go quite higher and they are available with denominations of 1,000₩, 5,000₩, 10,000₩ and 50,000₩ .

Cash is widely used for smaller transactions across the country and you can get your hand on some using the many ATMs which dot the cities. Credit card users can also use their American Express, MasterCard and VISA credit cards at modern establishments. Contactless payments like GooglePay and ApplePay are also accepted by numerous merchants.

Shopping in South Korea

Shopping

Shopping in South Korea resonates with modern consumerism and traditional craftsmanship. Whether you are hunting for unique local crafts or top-end designers or the latest in tech, South Korea has you covered.

Traditional markets in South Korea like Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets in Seoul allow you to experience uninhibited Korean marketing. You can also visit the Gyeongdong Market for traditional Korean Medicine and other herbal products.

South Korea also houses some of the finest departmental stores from across the world. The Lotte and Hyundai departmental stores are prime examples. These departmental stores also allow tourists to shop with certain tax exemptions.

Products of the top designers can be found at the Apgujeong and Cheongdam shopping districts in Seoul. The Yongsan Electronics Market in Seoul is known for electronics and gadgets.