10 things to be considered as taboo subjects in Korea
Whistling at midnight or buying your lover grilled chicken wings are two of several things that Koreans avoid because they don’t bring carry good luck with them. Like any country around the world, there are some superstitious beliefs and taboo topics also within Korean society. Understanding this can help you from being getting stares from Korean onlookers or friends.
The number 4 is an unlucky number
Koreans don’t like the number 4, they insist that it brings bad luck. In a building, particularly in the elevator, sometimes you will perceive that number 4 doesn’t show up since it is replaced with “F”.
Where is 4? I need to go to the 4th floor!?
Write the names in red ink
It seems to be just normal, but in fact it’s taboo. As for Koreans just when you want to die you have your name written in red ink. It brings a bad omen or even death.
Red Dead
Switching on electric fan in a tightly-closed room
Some superstitious individuals in Korea assert that turning on a electric fan in a closed room when you are sleeping will kill you. This is a common belief especially in older generations.
Whistling at night
Whistling at night means attracting the spirits or ghosts back to the real world. However, if the Korean hears your whistle. they will immediately cover your mouth.
Buying someone shoes as a gift
Pursuant to word-of-mouth saying, if you give your loved ones a pair of shoes, such as boyfriends, close friends, family members… they will leave you someday. Thus, upon receiving this kind of gift, Koreans will often give you back a small sum of money as an exchange to avoid that belief from becoming a reality.
These nice shoes contain a negative meaning that you may not know…
A stroll on Deoksugung street
The divorce rate in Korea is really high putting aside the petty conflicts. Many people still strongly hold a strong belief that if any couple once walked along Deoksugung street, the outcome of their relationship is a breakup.
This road is always deserted due to the hearsay of divorce
Butterfly
Koreans have once believed that if they unintentionally touch a butterfly, they must avoid touching their eyes because that would bring about blurry eyes. However, this belief has now been discarded.
Feeding chicken wings to your boyfriend
If you love a girl who comes from the land of Kimchi, and when eating out together, she may refuse to let you eat chicken wings, don’t worry she is pestering you about your voracious appetite. It only means she’s afraid of losing you.
Eat them up or say good-bye to your boyfriend?
Leaping a child’s body
This is quite a critical taboo in Korea. Koreans may get really upset if they find out that someone leaping their child’s body, because it is believed it will limit the child’s growth.
Shaking your thigh
Shaking thigh and legs is exceedingly avoided in Korea. Children are brought up told to never shaking their thigh and legs under any circumstance. They said that this action causes kids to shake off all of their luck.