Korean vs American Culture

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff

To understand Korean culture, it is important to first take a quick look at the history of Korea. For us to analyze modern-day Korean culture and compare it with American culture, we need a starting point from which we can make comparisons. The history of both cultures will help provide context for our discussion today. 

The history of Korea begins in 2333 BC when Dangun founded Gojoseon as the original dynasty of Korea. This kingdom lasted over more than 500 years before falling into war and eventually annexation by China during their Han Dynasty (108 BC). While under Chinese rule, Koreans were treated harshly and unfairly leading to rebellions that ultimately failed. However, these failed rebellions led to increased sensitivity.

One of the biggest differences between Korean and American culture is the way that they view their work. While in America, people are typically expected to have a full-time job for forty hours per week, Koreans are expected to work long hours at their jobs.

Comparison between Korean and American Culture

Parameters of Comparison	Korean culture	American Culture
Formal	More formal	Less formal
Friendly	More friendly	Less friendly
Climate	Humit	Dry
Pet	Not keep pet at home	Keep pet at home
Eat	Rice	Fast food

What is Korean culture?

Korean culture is very different from Western Culture. Korea is a country that has been historically influenced by China and Japan, but today it is considered one of the most developed countries in Asia.

The Korean people are known for their kindness, respectfulness, diligence, and politeness. They also have a strong work ethic which includes long hours at school or work. Koreans often work until midnight even on weekends!” “This blog post will explore some of the key aspects of Korean culture including their history as well as important cultural values such as respect and courtesy.

Korean culture is a mixture of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences. It has developed over the centuries in response to changing social conditions. Korean society has traditionally been structured around regional clans known as “bon-gwan”. This clan system was universally adopted by all classes in traditional Korean society, from royalty down to peasants. Korea is home to one of the world’s most homogeneous societies with nearly 100% of its population sharing a common ancestry or ethnic origin that can be traced back more than 10 generations according to national census data collected in 2005.

What is American Culture?

American culture is an incredibly large and diverse topic, but some common threads tie everything together. One of the most prominent aspects of American culture is its emphasis on individualism and freedom. Americans have always been known for their willingness to take risks and create new opportunities without the fear of failure. This has led to a country where people can pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they work hard enough, regardless of their background or social status. However, this emphasis on individualism also leads to a society that does not look out for each other- with no safety nets in place for those who fail, many Americans struggle just to get by day-to-day because they cannot rely on any help from others to do so.

American culture is a diverse mix of customs, traditions, values, and arts. It can be identified by the different types of food that are eaten in different regions around the United States. There are also differences in terms of how people dress for various occasions. These differences help individuals to identify where they live or what part of the country they come from when meeting someone new. 

10 Differences between Korean and American Culture

1. Korean culture is more formal than American culture.

2. Koreans are less likely to be friendly with strangers.

3. The climate in Korea is mostly humid, while the climate in America is mostly dry.

4. Americans are more likely to have a pet at home or work, while Koreans are not allowed to keep pets at their homes.

5. In Korea, people usually eat rice for every meal and they use chopsticks instead of forks or knives.

6. When it comes to food, Koreans prefer spicy dishes over sweet ones because they believe that eating something hot will help them stay healthy during the winter months when colds run rampant throughout the country.

7. Koreans tend to be more conservative in their dress and mannerisms.

8. The language barrier can make it difficult for Koreans and Americans to understand each other’s cultures at first.

9. There is a cultural divide between the two countries, which can make it hard for them to get along sometimes. 

10. Korea has an older population with fewer young people, while America has a younger population with more children.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Korean Culture

1. The Korean alphabet only has 14 letters.

2. Koreans eat kimchi with every meal.

3. Korea is home to the world’s largest indoor theme park, Everland.

4. South Korea’s population of 50 million people makes it the world’s 11th most populous country.

5. There are more than one hundred thousand convenience stores in South Korea and they outnumber gas stations by a ratio of 4-to-1.

6. Seoul is the capital city and largest metropolitan area in South Korea and has a population of 10 million people making it one of the ten most densely populated cities on earth.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of American Culture

1. Americans spend an average of 10 hours a day in front of some form of screen.

2. About a third of all homes in America have at least one gun.

3. One out of every eight adults has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder.

4. The average American consumes about 3-5 cups (or 400 calories) worth of soda each week.

5. Half the population will experience alcoholism or drug abuse at some point in their life.

6. A quarter-million people are homeless on any given night in the United States.

Conclusion

culture is more hierarchical. This means that there are clear distinctions between people in terms of social rank, age, or other factors. Western culture doesn’t have these same strict hierarchies and individuals tend to be treated as equals, which can make it easier for an American company to do business with a Korean counterpart than vice versa. -In Korea, the customer might feel like they’re being ordered around by their boss when someone from outside their organization tells them what to do (such as how often they should clean). The opposite may also happen; Koreans who work at a company where no one speaks up about anything could end.

References:

Resource 01: https://www.koreanculture.org/korea-information-culture-and-the-arts
Resource 02: https://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html