Question 1

What is Korean age?

Accepted Answer

Korean age is an age-counting system used in South Korea where everyone is considered 1 year old at birth and gets 1 year older on January 1st (New Year's Day) rather than on their birthday. This means Korean age is typically 1-2 years older than international (chronological) age.

Question 2

How do you calculate Korean age?

Accepted Answer

Korean age is calculated using the formula: Korean Age = Current Year - Birth Year + 1. For example, if you were born in 2000 and the current year is 2025, your Korean age would be 2025 - 2000 + 1 = 26 years old. This applies regardless of whether your birthday has passed or not in the current year.

Question 3

Why is Korean age different from international age?

Accepted Answer

Korean age differs from international age for two reasons: 1) Korean age counts from 1 at birth (not 0), and 2) Everyone ages on January 1st, not on their birthday. This means if you were born on December 31st, you would be 2 years old in Korean age the very next day (January 1st), while you'd still be less than 1 day old in international age.

Question 4

When does Korean age increase?

Accepted Answer

In Korean age, everyone gets 1 year older on January 1st (New Year's Day), regardless of their actual birthday. This means all Koreans age together on the same day each year, creating a sense of shared aging and making everyone the same age if they were born in the same calendar year.

Question 5

How much older is Korean age compared to international age?

Accepted Answer

Korean age is typically 1-2 years older than international age. The difference depends on when your birthday falls: If your birthday hasn't occurred yet this year, Korean age is 2 years older. If your birthday has already passed this year, Korean age is 1 year older. The minimum difference is always 1 year because Korean age starts at 1, not 0.

Question 6

Is Korean age still used in South Korea?

Accepted Answer

As of June 2023, South Korea officially adopted the international age system for legal and administrative purposes. However, Korean age is still commonly used in social contexts, especially among older generations, in casual conversation, and in traditional settings. Many Koreans still think and communicate in Korean age for social interactions.

Question 7

How do you convert Korean age to international age?

Accepted Answer

To convert Korean age to international age: International Age = Korean Age - 1 (if birthday has passed this year) or International Age = Korean Age - 2 (if birthday hasn't occurred yet this year). Alternatively, you can use the standard formula: International Age = Current Year - Birth Year (adjusted if birthday hasn't passed).

Question 8

What's the difference between Korean age and other age systems?

Accepted Answer

Korean age differs from international age (chronological age) by counting from 1 at birth and aging on January 1st. Other systems like 'East Asian age reckoning' are similar but may have variations. The main difference is that Korean age emphasizes the time spent alive (including time in the womb) and creates age cohorts based on birth year rather than exact birthday.

Question 9

Why does Korean age start at 1 instead of 0?

Accepted Answer

Korean age starts at 1 because it traditionally counts the time spent in the womb (approximately 9-10 months) as the first year of life. This reflects the cultural belief that life begins at conception. This is why a newborn is considered 1 year old (한 살, han sal) rather than 0 years old in Korean culture.

Question 10

Do I need to know Korean age when visiting Korea?

Accepted Answer

While Korean age is no longer used for legal purposes in South Korea (since 2023), it's still used in social contexts. When meeting Koreans, especially older generations, they may ask your age in Korean age format. It's helpful to know your Korean age for cultural understanding, though international age is now the official standard for legal matters.

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