If you know just 5 things, are you Korean?

I used to work for a global company that had its headquarters overseas and opened a branch in Korea, and I was in charge of localization work.
At that time, I presented five keywords to stakeholders to briefly explain the characteristics of Koreans. The following characteristics will not only be helpful in understanding the identity of Koreans, but will also make communication with Koreans smoother.

1. Masters of mix & match who enjoy diversity

Koreans like to harmoniously combine various cultures, such as tradition and modernity, East and West. This characteristic is evident in various fields, such as Korean food, fashion, and art.
• Examples: They enjoy creating new things that combine tradition and modernity, such as adding cheese to kimchi stew or reinterpreting hanbok with modern designs. Also, K-pop is gaining popularity worldwide by combining various genres.

2. Warm people full of affection

Koreans value their relationships with family, friends, and colleagues, and have a strong sense of community where they help and rely on each other.
• Examples: They readily help those in difficult situations and try to overcome difficulties together. They also enjoy sharing their feelings and strengthening friendships through drinking parties.

3. A people who love exciting festivals

Koreans enjoy gathering together and especially relieve stress and have fun through music and dance.
• Examples: On holidays such as Seollal and Chuseok, families and relatives gather to cook and spend time together, and many people participate in various local festivals where music performances and parades are held.

4. Loves spicy food and is a master at relieving stress

Koreans believe that eating spicy food relieves stress and gives them energy. Spicy food is an essential element that cannot be missed on the Korean table.
• Examples: There are many foods that use spicy seasonings such as kimchi and gochujang, and there are various restaurants that enjoy spicy food. Buldak Bokkeummyeon is also a food that many people around the world like.

5. Pursuing a fast and efficient life

Koreans tend to value time as gold and value efficiency.
This shows Koreans’ adaptability to survive in a rapidly changing society.
• Example: Subways and buses run on time, and they take it for granted that food comes out quickly at restaurants. They also actively utilize the latest technology, such as using smartphones to process work and obtain information, and live in step with a rapidly changing society.