𝖠𝖻𝗎_𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗀 ✈︎ 🇰🇷🇺🇸

7 things that I learned in South Korea

It’s been a year since I landed in South Korea, and living here has been an experience—one filled with small surprises, cultural differences, and moments that made me pause and think. Here are some things I’ve picked up along the way:



1. Food is a lifestyle.
Food here isn’t just about filling your stomach—it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. Koreans genuinely love to eat, and restaurants and street food stalls are always bustling. What’s really interesting is that eating out can sometimes cost the same—or even less—than cooking at home. At first, this was hard to believe, coming from a background where home-cooked meals are usually cheaper. Whether you’re grabbing a bowl of a hearty stew or sampling a variety of local dishes, there’s always a social aspect to dining that brings people together.



2. Relationships are an open topic.
One thing that surprised me is how casually people here ask about your girlfriend or boyfriend. It’s a pretty standard question, not something meant to be too personal. What’s even more interesting is how guys sometimes show off pictures of their girlfriends to friends, like it’s a trophy. It’s not meant to be boastful—it’s just part of the culture. It’s one of those things you notice and slowly get used to over time.



3. Work culture is intense.
If you think Uzbeks are hardworking, wait until you see how Koreans live. We start working early in life and aim to retire by our 50s or 60s. Koreans? They start their careers much later—sometimes in their 30s—and they don’t stop. Retirement isn’t really a thing for many people here; they keep working for as long as they can. It’s not just about survival; it’s about staying productive. Their dedication is admirable, but it also feels like a heavy burden to carry.



4. Beards are rare.
This one caught me off guard. Beards aren’t common here, and growing one makes you stand out—sometimes more than you’d like. Whenever I let my beard grow even a little, I can feel the glances as I walk down the street. It’s not offensive or rude; people just seem curious. Maybe they’re not used to seeing many foreigners or beards in general. At first, it annoyed me, but now I just see it as part of the experience.



5. English isn’t everywhere.
Before I came, I heard that a lot of Koreans speak English. That’s true—if you’re in places like Seoul or Busan. But outside the big cities, most people only know the basics. It’s not their fault; English isn’t a big part of daily life here. If you plan to live in Korea, learning Korean isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. I’ve been studying since I arrived, and while I’m far from fluent, even knowing simple phrases has made life so much easier.



6. Phone themes tell a story.
Here’s something I didn’t expect: Koreans love personalizing their phone wallpapers, and it often reflects their relationships. If they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, their picture is on the lock screen. No boyfriend or girlfriend? No problem—pets take the spotlight. I’ve seen so many cute dogs and cats staring back at me from someone’s phone. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about what people value here—relationships, whether with humans or pets.



7. Customer service is next level.
One thing Korea does exceptionally well is service. Whether you’re at a coffee shop, a convenience store, or a government office, people go out of their way to help you. It’s not just about being polite; they genuinely make an effort to make your experience smooth. Bowing, smiling, and a readiness to assist—it’s all part of the package. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate deeply, and I’ll probably miss it when I leave.

@theabu_usa

That's the craziest video to watch while having dinner alone 😁

Hey guys! Just wrapped up an amazing experience at the JST Hackathon where our team worked on a drone project 🚀.

I was the only foreigner in the program, which made things super interesting (and challenging)! Most of my team didn’t speak much English, so communication was tough, but I did my best to build good vibes with them. Koreans are usually a bit shy and introverted, but if you’re proactive and extroverted, you can get along really well. And yeah, I guess I’m that kind of guy—I even got compliments like “you’re chill guy” and “you’re cool,” so that made my day! 😎

Fun fact: I was also the youngest in the program (except for one Korean friend who’s my age). Most of the participants were older, so it was cool learning from them too.

Oh, and here’s the crazy part: there was this girl, a volunteer helping with media stuff, who suddenly came up to me and spoke Uzbek—like, “Assalom Alekum, yaxshimisiz?” I was shocked and had to ask her to repeat it 😂. She even said, “Hayr, yaxshi boring.” It’s super rare to hear Koreans speak Uzbek, so that moment was unforgettable!

Overall, it was an awesome experience I’ll never forget! ✌️

Interesting thing that I noticed now.

If you look at the banner hanging from the ceiling, you notice 2024. It should've been 2025, lol. 😄

Hello guys!

Here is my first post on LinkedIn, I hope you’re gonna support me.

Just like, comment, and so on.

Thank you 🤝🏻

They taught us how to do makeup 🤦🏻‍♂️

In Korea, it’s normal for guys to wear makeup, like using lip tints. You’ll also find stores that focus on men’s perfumes, so it’s a pretty common thing.