K-Lifestyle Wiki

The national anthem,Aegukga, was first commissioned by Emperor Gojong in 1901 and presented to the Korean court on 1 July 1902, by German composer Franz Eckert, who was the director of the Korean Empire's military band at the time. It was published in Germany in five different languages (Korean, German, English, Chinese, and French) and performed for the first time on 9 September 1902, during Emperor Gojong's birthday ceremony.

#Fact15 Natural resources South Korea produces coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, and has potential for hydropower.Land use Arable land: 15.3% Permanent crops: 2.2% Permanent pasture: 0.6% Forest: 63.9% Other: 18.0% Irrigated land 8,804 km² Total renewable water resources69.7 km3 Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) Total: 25.47 km3/yr (26%/12%/62%) Per capita: 548.7 m3/yr

Korea now is a cultural and content powerhouse💪💪💪💪

#Fact14 As South Korea is not yet a worldwide popular vacation destination like its neighbors China and Japan, you will find untouched rural areas giving insight into traditional Korean lifestyle. While around 20% of all South Koreans live in and near Seoul, it’s especially the small rural villages where you can find peace and quiet. The well-connected railway and express bus systems make it easy to also explore the less visited areas of the country. You’ll be surprised that you can find lush rice terraces and hidden temples right here in South Korea.

#Fact13 Koreans are very proud of their unique cuisine. This is another result of the country’s natural isolation and climate leading to particular food preparation methods. Take kimchi, for example, the country’s number one side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables that are kept in jars for months, one of many practices used to protect food during harsh winters. Over the centuries, Koreans have created a fascinating and rich food culture made up of meat dishes, stews, soups, noodle dishes, seafood and many vegetable side dishes. Visit South Korea and you should spend an entire day roaming street markets sampling your way through this concert of flavors.

#Fact12 Contrast to its historic landmarks, South Korea is a pioneer in creating new and innovative structures. Looking at Seoul, for example, you are surrounded by futuristic buildings in one part of the city, such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza by Zaha Hadid, while traditional hanok neighborhoods lie just around the corner. Earlier this year, Seoul proudly opened the world’s fifth largest skyscraper piercing majestically out of the ground overlooking the Han River. It comes with little surprise that some of the world’s leading companies are also located here, including Samsung, Hyundai and Kia.

#Fact11 Buddha’s Birthday is another major holiday celebrated in May with lantern parades and performances at local temples, while in fall, Koreans celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving during Chuseok and honor their ancestors during proudly conducted ceremonies. In fact, there are festivals in every month of the year for every taste.

#Fact10 Every year, there are more festivals in South Korea than one could attend, with a couple of main festivities everyone likes to join in with. When the snow melts and the weather gets warmer, pink and white cherry blossoms transform South Korea into a magical wonderland for a short period at the beginning of spring, and thousands of people come to see the blossoms from all over the country.

#Fact9 South Korea has a long history dating back over a thousand years. Due to the natural isolation of the Korean Peninsula, the country’s culture hasn’t changed as much as in other regions. Still today, you can stand in awe of some of the most significant cultural heritage sites of the country, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace situated in Seoul. The city of Gyeongju is also a place of historic value and is often called a ‘museum without walls’. Gyeongju was the capital of Korea during the Silla Dynasty from 57 BC – 935 AD and is home to countless royal tombs, palaces, and temples that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

South Korea consists of 1 special city (Teukbyeolsi; 특별시; 特別 市), 6 Metropolitan Cities (Gwangyeoksi; 광역시; 廣域 市), and 9 Provinces (do; 도; 道). - Special City: Seoul - Special Autonomous City: Sejong - Metropolitan City: Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan. - Provinces: Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, South Gyeongsang, Jeju.