Korean Culture Quiz

Explanation

1.
What is the name of the Korean traditional outfit? 
1) 기모노 (Kimono)
2) 한복 (Hanbok)
3) 치파오 (Qipao)
4) 한옷 (Hanot)

Explanation)
1) 기모노 (Kimono): Traditional Japanese clothing
2) 한복 (Hanbok): Traditional Korean clothing
3) 치파오 (Qipao): Traditional Chinese clothing
4) 한옷 (Hanot): Incorrect spelling

2.
Which number is considered unlucky in South Korea?
1) 4
2) 6
3) 9
4) 13

Explanation)
The number 4 is considered unlucky in Korea because its pronunciation 사[sa] sounds the same as the Sino-Korean word for “death”(死). This is why some buildings skip the 4th floor or label it “F” instead.

 

3.
What traditional food is commonly eaten on birthdays in Korea?
1) 설렁탕 (Ox bone soup)
2) 미역국(Seaweed soup)
3) 북엇국 (Dried pollack soup)
4) 된장국 (Soybean paste soup)

Explanation)
Koreans traditionally eat seaweed soup called 미역국[mi-yeok-guk] on their birthdays as a meaningful way to honor their mothers and remember the day they were born. This tradition comes from the practice of new mothers eating seaweed soup after childbirth to recover and regain strength.


4.

When receiving something from someone, using your right hand is preferred over your left hand to be polite.
1) True
2) False

Explanation)
In formal situations, using both hands is the polite and respectful way. In casual settings, Koreans generally don’t mind which hand you use unlike some cultures where using the left hand is considered rude.

 

5.
What do the red and blue shapes in the center of the Korean flag represent?
1) Sun and moon
2) Fire and water
3) People and land
4) Yin and yang

Explanation)
The Korean flag, or Taegeukgi, has a white background, a red and blue circle in the center, and four black trigrams in the corners. The white stands for peace and purity. The red and blue circle (taegeuk) represents the balance of yin (blue) and yang (red), showing harmony in nature. The four trigrams symbolize elements: sky (☰), earth (☷), water/moon (☵), and fire/sun (☲). Together, they express balance and unity.

 

6.
Who is this subway seat reserved for in Korea? 
1) 노약자 (Priority people)
2) 반려동물 (Pets)
3) 군인 (Soldiers)
4) 임산부 (Pregnant women)

Explanation)
A standard Korean subway car has 12 priority seats at each end for the elderly, disabled, and injured, along with 4 pink seats specifically reserved for pregnant women.

7.
In Korea, tipping at restaurants is expected.
1) True
2) False

Explanation)
Tipping is not a common practice in Korea. Service charges are usually included in the price, and leaving a tip may without explanation even confuse some staff.


8.
What is Korea's national flower?
1) 해바라기 (Sunflower)
2) 벚꽃 (Cherry Blossom)
3) 무궁화 (Rose of Sharon)
4) 연꽃 (Lotus Flower)

Explanation)
The rose of Sharon is 무궁화(Mugunghwa) in Korean and it means "eternal blossom that never fades.” It has been an important symbol of Korean culture for centuries.

 

9.
What is the most widely used messenger app by Koreans?
1) LINE
2) Telegram
3) Facebook Messenger
4) KakaoTalk

Explanation)
(As of March 2024)
#1 KakaoTalk: 43.94 million users
#2 Facebook Messenger: 4.68 million users
#3 Telegram: 3.25 million users
#4 LINE: 2.38 million users


10.

In Korea, guests usually bring physical gifts or flowers to a wedding.
1) True
2) False

Explanation)
Unlike in some countries, Korean wedding guests typically give cash in an envelope, not boxed gifts or flowers. There’s a reception table at the venue where guests write their names and hand over the cash gift.


11. 
What is the name of this dish? 
1) 라면 (ramyeon)
2) 라멘 (ramen)
3) 라몬 (ramon)
4) 레몬 (lemon)

Explanation)
1) 라면 (ramyeon) = Korean instant noodle soup, often spicy and served with kimchi or egg
2) 라멘 (ramen) = Japanese noodle soup with various toppings
3) 라몬 (ramon) = Incorrect spelling
4) 레몬 (lemon) = 🍋


12.

Most restaurants in Korea provide water and 반찬(banchan: small side dishes) for free. 
1) True
2) False

Explanation)
In most Korean restaurants, water and 반찬 (a variety of small side dishes) are provided at no extra charge. These side dishes often include items like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and seasoned greens—complimentary with your meal.

13.
What is the name of this dish? 
1) 스시(Sushi)
2) 초밥(Chobap)
3) 국밥(Gukbap)
4) 김밥(Gimbap)

Explanation)
1) 스시 (Sushi) = Japanese dish made with vinegared rice, often topped with raw fish.
2) 초밥 (Chobap): A Korean word for Japanese sushi
3) 국밥 (Gukbap): Korean soup with rice served inside, often beef or pork-based.
4) 김밥 (Gimbap) = Korean dish made with rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat, rolled in seaweed.

14.
Which of the following is not located in Seoul?

1) 북촌 한옥마을 (Bukchon Hanok Village)
2) 은평 한옥마을 (Eunpyeong hanok village)
3) 전주 한옥마을 (Jeonju Hanok Village)
4) 익선동 한옥마을 (Ikseondong Hanok Village)

Explanation)
Jeonju Hanok Village is the largest hanok village in South Korea, located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, about 212 km (131 miles) from Seoul.

 

 

15.
What dish do Koreans traditionally eat on 설날(Seollal - Lunar New Year) to symbolize becoming one year older?
1) 갈비탕 (Galbitang: Beef short rib soup)
2) 떡볶이 (Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes)
3) 떡국 (Tteokgguk: Rice cake soup)
4) 비빔냉면 (Bibimnaengmyeon - Spicy cold noodles)

Explanation)
On 설날, Koreans eat 떡국, a warm rice cake soup, to celebrate the new year. Eating a bowl of 떡국 symbolizes turning one year older. The white rice cakes represent purity and a fresh start.

 

16.
What is 온돌(Ondol) in traditional Korean homes?
1) A type of roof tile
2) A method of window ventilation
3) Thick stone walls sounding a house
4) Underfloor heating system

Explanation)
온돌(Ondol) is Korea’s traditional underfloor heating system, designed to heat rooms efficiently using heat from wood fires or boilers.

 

17.
한글(Hangeul: The Korean writing system) was created through joint research by King Sejong and several scholars. 
1) True
2) False

Explanation)
Historical records indicate that King Sejong independently created Hangeul. Many scholars believe that members of the Jiphyeonjeon (Hall of Worthies) were likely involved later in writing the explanation book (Hunminjeongeum Haerye) or helping spread and study the script, but not in the actual creation process.

18.
What is the approximate current population of South Korea?
1) 9.3 million
2) 26 million
3) 51 million
4) 78 million

Explanation)
1) 9.3M = population of Seoul (city alone)
2) 26M = population of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, which includes Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do
3) 51M = population of South Korea
4) 78M = combined population of North and South Korea


19.

When did the Korean War begin? 
1) 1910년
2) 1945년
3) 1950년
4) 1988년

Explanation)
1) 1910 – Start of Japan’s colonization of Korea
2) 1945 – Korea’s liberation from Japan
3) 1950 – Outbreak of the Korean War
4) 1988 – Seoul Olympics


20.

What term do you use to refer to your senior?
1) 막내 (maknae)
2) 선배 (seonbae)
3) 후배 (hubae)
4) 오빠 (oppa)

Explanation)
1) 막내 = the youngest in a group
2) 선배 = someone who is more experienced or in a higher grade/position
3) 후배 = someone who is less experienced or in a lower grade/position
4) 오빠 = what a female calls an older male (brother, boyfriend, or close friend)


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