[takeaways] • South Korea has the highest rate of cosmetic procedures in the world, at approximately 13.5 per 1,000 people.
• Around 70% of South Korea is covered by mountains, with more than 500 hiking, mountaineering, and cycling routes to explore.
• South Koreans changed their national age-counting system in June 2023, making everyone officially younger overnight.
• The Korean Turtle Ship, built around 1592, is considered the world's first ironclad warship.
• Jeju Island is a UNESCO Global Geopark, home to Manjanggul — one of the longest lava tubes on Earth.
• A South Korea eSIM keeps your mobile data covered wherever your trip takes you. [/takeaways]
South Korea is one of the most fascinating regions in Asia to visit — whether you are a keen history buff or simply want to check out K-Beauty and K-Pop up close, it's a unique landscape of cultural touchpoints and natural wonders. And, before you fly out there, it's well worth taking a close look at some facts and figures to inspire a trip.
In this guide, we explore 15 fun facts about South Korea that might just surprise you — and if you do choose to travel here, remember to download an eSIM for South Korea from SIMOVO to keep your mobile data covered on the go.
South Korea culture and traditions
[numbered title="You don't say "cheese" when posing for photos" pill="Culture"]Considering South Korea isn't known for being a nation of cheese eaters, this probably isn't surprising. When taking pictures, South Koreans usually say "kimchi" instead. Not only is this more relevant within Korean tastes and culture, it's also a good word to say to force your mouth to naturally smile.[/numbered] [numbered title="South Korea is known for its high beauty standards" pill="Culture"]K-Beauty isn't a fad — and, over the years, the impeccable standards Koreans expect from beauty regimes have flowed overseas. Korean beauty standards focus on perfection — "glasslike" skin, slim body frames, and cosmetic enhancements are all held high. Believe it or not, there are around 13.5 cosmetic surgeries taking place per 1,000 people here![/numbered] [numbered title="Korean wedding gifts are refreshingly simple" pill="Culture"]One way in which South Korea keeps things simple is through typical wedding gifts. While you might spend weeks looking for registry gifts at home, in Korea, a simple, plain envelope, a nice message, and some money all go a long way. Cash is king when it comes to wedding gifts, so don't worry about scrambling around for appliances or jewelry.[/numbered]
Famous landmarks and landscapes in South Korea
[numbered title="Most of South Korea is covered by mountainscapes" pill="Geography"]While Korea is certainly well-loved for its cityscapes, it's actually estimated that the country is 70% covered by mountains! That's thanks to three major mountain ranges covering the region — outdoor exploration app Komoot advises there are at least 500 different routes to explore, whether hiking, mountaineering, or cycling.[/numbered] [numbered title="It's home to one of the longest lava tubes on Earth" pill="Geography"]Lava tubes reside underneath molten rock where, oddly enough, lava once flowed freely — and one of the longest in the world is Manjanggul, on Jeju Island, which is said to be almost 9,000 meters long, and up to 23 meters wide and 30 meters tall. It's a lengthy trek for most people, and one of the most bizarrely riveting — it's nothing like you've ever seen above ground.[/numbered] [numbered title="South Korea plays host to more than 20,000 Buddhist temples" pill="Culture"]Korea's Buddhist temples are scattered all across the region, with many dating back more than a millennium. Some offer fantastic viewpoints over the cities, too, and with around 20,000 to speak of, it's safe to say the region is replete with spiritual sanctuaries.[/numbered]
Food and drinks South Korea is known for
[numbered title="Kimchi is considered the national dish" pill="Food and drink"]Yes, there's another reason why South Korean people say "kimchi" rather than "cheese"! Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish that's typically made from fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, and seasoned with mixes of garlic, scallions, and ginger. It carries a nice, tangy flavor that verges on sour, but it is very popular! You'll find lots of variations across the country.[/numbered] [numbered title="South Korea's national drink is Soju" pill="Food and drink"]Soju is an alcoholic drink — it's a colorless spirit that's compared a lot with vodka, though the percentage tends to fall lower than its comparison point. It's immensely popular with South Koreans, with the average citizen here supposedly drinking as many as 53 bottles every year![/numbered] [numbered title="Street food vendors have served the region for centuries" pill="Food and drink"]Since at least the Joseon Dynasty, some 600+ years ago, South Korea has been famous for its tasty street food scene — where you can enjoy Tteokbokki, Hotteok, and other Korean food staples on the go. The scene largely started due to a need for affordable meals available to troops returning from war. Night market scenes over the years, however, have helped to embed street food into modern culture.[/numbered]
Surprising historical facts about South Korea
[numbered title="Until recently, South Koreans were one year old at birth" pill="History"]As truly weird as it sounds, yes — a revolutionary change to South Korea's age-counting laws was brought into effect in June 2023. It counteracted the traditional practice of deeming people as one year old when they were born. The move meant that Korea now observes the international standard, meaning all citizens officially got younger as a result![/numbered] [numbered title="The country modernized rapidly after the Korean War" pill="History"]South Korea was left devastated after the war, resulting in a state of poverty that many believed it would struggle to get out of. However, as a result of an industrial boom driven by the state, the country saw an eye-opening transformation from 1953 onward — a revolutionary period referred to by historians as the Miracle on the Han River.[/numbered] [numbered title="The first ironclad warship was Korean" pill="History"]South Korea has led the way in many military pursuits, and when it comes to naval battles, the region was the first to take to the sea with an ironclad warship — known as the Korean Turtle Ship! It was around 113 feet long, 34 feet wide, and 21 feet tall, and it was built around 1592.[/numbered]
Wildlife, geography, or nature in South Korea
[numbered title="The DMZ is an accidental home for endangered species" pill="Wildlife"]The DMZ, or Korean Demilitarized Zone, is the buffer strip that separates North Korea from the South. However, because humans are restricted from accessing the area, wildlife has thrived in surprising ways! For example, it's here that an estimated third of endangered species in South Korea have built habitats.[/numbered] [numbered title="Jeju Island is home to unique volcanic landscapes" pill="Geography"]The truly stunning Jeju Island is a recognized UNESCO Global Geopark, and for good reason! It's here where you can not only explore the aforementioned Manjanggul tube/cave system, but also explore volcanic cones, alpine forests, and lava flows across the region. UNESCO states it is the youngest volcanic island in South Korea.[/numbered] [numbered title="The national bird might be surprising" pill="Wildlife"]It's the magpie! Specifically, the Korean Magpie, or Pica serica, is seen as an omen of good fortune, much as magpies are traditionally viewed with superstition elsewhere in the world. Believe it or not, it was actually chosen to be the national animal by the Korean public in the 1960s.[/numbered] [esim flag="🇰🇷" label="South Korea" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/south-korea" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Keep your mobile data covered wherever your trip takes you[/esim]
Why travelers find South Korea memorable
Beyond all these fun facts, there are tons of reasons why vacationers around the world build South Korea itineraries. Thanks to its impressive blend of historic architecture and royal aesthetics with unique pop culture, shopping, and world-class food, it really does have something to offer just about everybody.
If you're interested in discovering the best time to visit South Korea, be sure to check out our guide linked — but don't book a flight or any hotel rooms until you have a South Korea eSIM downloaded, ready to go!
[faq] [q]What are some fun facts about South Korea?[/q] [a]South Korea has the world's highest rate of cosmetic surgery (13.5 procedures per 1,000 people), is roughly 70% mountainous, is home to more than 20,000 Buddhist temples, and changed its national age-counting system in June 2023, making all citizens officially younger overnight.[/a] [q]Why do South Koreans say "kimchi" instead of "cheese" in photos?[/q] [a]Saying "kimchi" is both a nod to Korean food culture and a practical trick — the shape your mouth makes when saying the word naturally creates a smile, much like "cheese" does in English-speaking countries.[/a] [q]What is the Korean Turtle Ship?[/q] [a]The Korean Turtle Ship, built around 1592, is considered the world's first ironclad warship. It measured around 113 feet long, 34 feet wide, and 21 feet tall, and played a key role in South Korea's naval history.[/a] [q]Why did South Koreans get younger in 2023?[/q] [a]A change to South Korea's age-counting laws took effect in June 2023, replacing the traditional system — which counted people as one year old at birth — with the international standard. This meant every citizen's official age dropped overnight.[/a] [q]How much of South Korea is covered by mountains?[/q] [a]Approximately 70% of South Korea is mountainous, spread across three major mountain ranges. There are more than 500 documented routes for hiking, mountaineering, and cycling across the country.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting South Korea?[/q] [a]A South Korea eSIM is a convenient way to keep your mobile data covered throughout your trip — useful for navigating temples, mountains, and cities alike. It means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇰🇷" label="South Korea" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/south-korea" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in South Korea[/esim]
