Every culture has its quirky beliefs and hidden rules passed down through generations — Korea is no exception. From harmless habits to oddly specific warnings, Korean superstitions blend folklore, tradition, and a touch of humor. Some are rooted in historical symbolism, others in pure myth — but all offer fascinating insight into the way many Koreans view luck, love, and daily life.
Here are 8 Korean superstitions you’ll probably hear (or accidentally break) while living or traveling here:
1. Don’t Write Names with a Red Pen
In Korean culture, writing someone’s name in red ink is believed to bring misfortune — or even death. Why? Traditionally, the names of the deceased were written in red on funeral registers to ward off evil spirits. Writing a living person’s name in red is thought to invite bad luck or spiritual harm.
Tip: Always use black or blue when signing someone’s birthday card!
2. Touch a Butterfly, Go Blind?
There’s a childhood warning that if you touch a butterfly's wings, and then touch your eyes, you'll go blind. While this has no scientific basis, it’s a commonly told superstition to discourage children from handling delicate creatures. The fine dust on butterfly wings was feared to cause eye irritation — or worse.
3. The Cursed Number: 4
In Korean elevators, you may notice that the fourth floor is labeled “F” instead of “4”. That’s because the pronunciation of “4” (sa) sounds similar to the word for “death” (사) in Korean. This superstition is shared with many East Asian cultures, where the number 4 is seen as deeply unlucky — especially in hospitals or funeral homes.
4. Whistling Attracts Snakes
Whistling at night? Not recommended — unless you want a snake slithering your way. This old superstition warns that whistling, especially in the dark, could summon snakes or evil spirits. In modern times, it’s just considered bad manners at night, but older generations may still raise an eyebrow.
5. The Fan Death Myth
This one is uniquely Korean: many believe that sleeping with an electric fan running in a closed room can lead to death. The idea is that the fan either causes hypothermia, asphyxiation, or somehow removes oxygen. While there's no scientific proof, many fans in Korea still come with timer settings — just in case.
6. Gifting Shoes Means They’ll Run Away
Thinking of giving your partner a nice pair of sneakers? Think again. One superstition says that gifting shoes to your romantic partner will make them run away from you — literally and figuratively. To counter the bad luck, some say the recipient should give a small coin in return to “buy” the shoes.
7. Chicken Wings = Wandering Hearts?
This lesser-known but amusing superstition warns that eating chicken wings may make a person unfaithful in love. The wings, symbolizing flight, are said to encourage someone to “fly away” from their current relationship. So maybe stick to the drumsticks if you're trying to stay loyal.
8. Water Blessed by God?
In the late 1990s, Manmin Central Church, a controversial religious group in Korea, made national headlines when its members stormed MBC (a major Korean broadcaster) in 1999 to stop a critical program from airing. This incident instantly brought public attention to the church and its leader, Lee Jae-rok.
Starting in 2000, Lee claimed to have endowed water from his hometown in Muan County, Jeollanam-do with divine powers. This so-called Muan “Blessed Water” (무안단물) quickly became infamous for the church's miraculous claims: that people were cured of illnesses after drinking it, washing machines repaired themselves, people developed double eyelids, and even a dead puppy allegedly came back to life. These fantastical testimonies became widely parodied and ridiculed online.
Though some church signage claimed the water was verified by the U.S. FDA, what actually happened was that the FDA had only tested its mineral content—they did not certify it as drinking water. Even a former church pastor later clarified that the water was simply less salty than seawater, not “sweet water” in the literal sense.
Final Thoughts
Superstitions might not be backed by science, but they often reflect a culture’s values, fears, and hopes. In Korea, they’re a mix of cautionary tales, playful warnings, and deeply held traditions that shape everyday choices.
Whether you're choosing a pen color or a birthday gift, it’s always good to know what might raise a superstitious eyebrow — and maybe even win you a few respectful nods from the locals.
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