Happy
Shoe Year!
The first night of the New Year in South Korea, it is customary for everybody to hide their shoes. This is because there is a belief that a ghost will come
come down and try on everyone's shoes. If the ghost likes a pair of shoes, it will take them and the owner of the shoes will have bad luck for the whole year! Not everyone realizes this, but the origin of our custom of making loud noise at New Year's Eve in the United States was intended to ward off evil spirits. Same, but different, eh?
4
The number four is extremely unlucky and most buildings in South Korea don't have a fourth floor
listed on the elevators. Our elevators in the United States rarely have a floor!
13th
Red Ink is symbolic of death in South Korea, so avoid using it to write a note or letter because it doesn't send a friendly message.
In 2010, the South Korean government launched its "R-learning" program to fill schools with robotic assistants like Engkey. In addition to Engkey, preschool teachers use Genibo, a robotic dog that teaches dance and gymnastics.