Imagine a baby born on December 31st becoming two years old the very next day, on January 1st. For foreigners visiting Korea for the first time, this unique method of calculating age—known as "Korean Age"—is often one of the most confusing cultural aspects to grasp.Although the government has officially implemented the "International Age" system for legal purposes, the custom of everyone collectively gaining a year on January 1st remains deeply rooted in Korean daily life. Seoulicious, your guide to the flavors and vibes of Seoul, digs into the background of this intriguing phenomenon of "collective aging."
Respecting Time Spent in the Womb?
The most distinct feature of the Korean age calculation is that you are considered "1 year old" the moment you are born. The prevailing theory suggests this stems from Eastern thought respecting the sanctity of life; the approximately 10 months (roughly a year) a baby spends in the mother's womb are acknowledged as existing life. It’s a fundamentally different starting point from the Western method, which starts the clock at zero.
Leveling Up Together When the Sun Rises
In Korea, age is more of a social coordinate determining one's position than a mere biological number. On January 1st, as the year changes, the entire nation gains one year of age simultaneously. The ceremonial food that marks this event is 'Tteokguk' (Rice Cake Soup).
For Koreans, the greeting "Did you eat Tteokguk?" is practically synonymous with "Did you get a year older?" This soup, made with sliced white rice cakes in a clear broth, symbolizes longevity and good fortune. However, it is also playfully regarded as a magical potion that adds a year to your age. (This is why children often ask for two bowls to grow up faster, while adults joke about refusing to eat it to avoid aging.)
For Koreans, the greeting "Did you eat Tteokguk?" is practically synonymous with "Did you get a year older?" This soup, made with sliced white rice cakes in a clear broth, symbolizes longevity and good fortune. However, it is also playfully regarded as a magical potion that adds a year to your age. (This is why children often ask for two bowls to grow up faster, while adults joke about refusing to eat it to avoid aging.)
What Changed After the "International Age" Law?
In June 2023, the Korean government mandated the use of the internationally standard "Man-nai" (full age) for all administrative and legal purposes. Now, hospitals, government offices, and legal documents all strictly use the international age system. But has the daily life of Koreans completely changed?
We are still in a "transitional period." When meeting someone new or on a blind date, Koreans still tend to ask, "What year were you born?" rather than asking for the specific age. This is because establishing hierarchy (who is the Hyung, Noona, Eonni, or Oppa) and using the correct honorifics is crucial in Korean social structure. Legally, we may be younger, but the habit of counting one's age while eating Tteokguk on New Year's Day is still very much alive.
We are still in a "transitional period." When meeting someone new or on a blind date, Koreans still tend to ask, "What year were you born?" rather than asking for the specific age. This is because establishing hierarchy (who is the Hyung, Noona, Eonni, or Oppa) and using the correct honorifics is crucial in Korean social structure. Legally, we may be younger, but the habit of counting one's age while eating Tteokguk on New Year's Day is still very much alive.
Seoulicious's Note
Don't be too shocked if your Korean friend laments, "I'm turning thirty now!" on January 1st, even if their actual birthday is months away. This complex and subtle age system is a key to unlocking and understanding relationships in Korean society.
If you are in Seoul during the New Year, try a bowl of warm Tteokguk. You might gain a year in age, but your depth of understanding Seoul will grow a little deeper as well.
If you are in Seoul during the New Year, try a bowl of warm Tteokguk. You might gain a year in age, but your depth of understanding Seoul will grow a little deeper as well.