Despite South Korea being filled with advanced technology and science, many people still believe in superstitions. Many South Korean people have believed in myths and followed rituals for a long time. They visit fortune tellers and dividers to follow their teachings and practices. Not just ordinary people but even stars believe in and indulge in such activities. The top ten erratic beliefs of Korean celebrities are.
1. Number Four Is Unlucky
In Korea, the number Four is considered to be bad luck. Unlike the unlucky number 13, which doesn’t have any explanation. The Chinese character for the word death is pronounced as sah, which is the same sound as the Korean number four. Koreans associate the number with death and thus consider it bad luck. Some buildings don’t have a fourth floor.
2. Whistling At Night Brings
Terrible Omens Whistling is considered as a feeling of happiness but it's not the same in South Korea and is highly discouraged to whistle after the sun goes down. It has for a long time been believed that whistling at night can summon ghosts, spirits, demons, and terrible omens. Some even believe that it might bring snakes too.
3. Writing Names In Red Ink Is A Death Threat
The name of the deceased member was written in red ink in the family register. Writing someone’s name in red ink means they have either passed away, or, if they are alive, you wish to harm or kill them. While this is no longer the case, few Koreans still believe this and consider it rude to write someone’s name in red ink.
4. Dreaming Of Pigs Will Bring You Wealth
In many countries, pigs are seen as dirty animals. In South Korea, they represent a symbol of fertility and wealth. It is because the pronunciation of pig is similar to jade. Many Koreans believe that dreaming about pigs signifies that great riches will soon be brought on them.
5. Giving Shoes To Your Partner
Giving shoes as a gift to a loved one in South Korea is a huge no. It is believed by people in South Korea that giving a lover a pair of shoes will make them run away, most likely with the same pair of shoes. So people don’t usually give shoes as gifts to their partner.
6. Never Shake Your Legs
Many people worldwide believe that shaking legs is considered a bad habit as it might bring bad luck. So Koreans teach their children from a young age to not shake their legs and that it is terrible.
7. Fan Death
In Korea, many believe that fans can cause hypothermia and death while sleeping. Seonpoonggi samangseol, meaning fan death, is considered not just as superstition but an actual cause of death. It is a very unscientific myth but is considered by many Koreans.
8. Sea Mustard Soup Brings Terrible Luck
It is widely believed that drinking Sea Mustard Soup before any exam will bring luck, and if they do, the student is destined to fail the exam. Students eat rice cakes before the exam as it is believed to help a student pass with excellent marks.
9. Setting Foot On The Threshold
This superstition goes back to the Mongol invasion of Goryeo where a deceased's body remains in the house for some time. They get carried out of their house in a coffin. It is believed that setting foot on the threshold of a home brings misfortune to a family. It is the boundary between this world and the afterlife.
10. Don’t Put A Mirror In Front Of A Door
Mirrors are the foundation for several superstitions all around. While North Americans do not care to break mirrors, Koreans mostly avoid putting them directly in front of a door, as they consider that it will deflect good luck from entering the house.
