7 fun facts about South Korea you probably didn’t know

In recent years, South Korean culture has hit the global stage. Whether it's the Korean Fried Chicken on your high street or K-Pop bangers on your TikTok feed, we're all becoming slightly more K-aware.

However, there is still a lot we don't know about the Land of Morning Calm. Here are 7 fun facts that you might not know about South Korea – from its obsession with corner stores to its need for speed. Strap in, things are about to get weird.

South Koreans are crazy about pussy

...cats. There are over 30 cat cafes in Seoul alone. And these kitties don’t even buy a coffee. They will however lick your latte if unattended. Rumour has it there’s also a raccoon cafe with corgis.

Why we love it: Who doesn't love a gimmicky pet cafe?

Convenience stores are a way of life

Corner stores are more than a last resort for late night cans. You can heat up your lunch there, meet friends, contemplate the meaning of life whist staring at strawberry-flavoured Cheetos. There’s even a hygge-designed 7-Eleven in Seoul. Convenience stores are very much part of the cultural furniture, and you will start appreciating them in a new strip-light.

Why we love it: Because a working holiday isn't the same without some weirdly flavoured snacks. Plus, it makes buying gifts for people back home a piece of (kimchi-flavoured) cake.

Around 70% of South Korea is mountain

Despite its fondness for flat whites, South Korea is also home to some seriously calf-stretching climbs. Beyond the big cities is a landscape of national parks, volcanic islands and rugged coastlines. The granite peaks of Bukhansan are very reachable if you’re based in Seoul. Further south on Jeju Island, Hallasan is the country’s highest mountain – a dormant volcano with stunning views and a crater lake at the summit. Well worth investing in some hiking boots.

Why we love it: Not many places have up-all-night cities next to such prime walking spots – perfect for working holiday weekend trips.

South Korea looks good whatever the weather

With four distinct seasons, South Korea is constantly changing its look. From snowy winters to green summers, with bright pink springs and red-orange autumns – even its topography has one eye on the fashion pages. Gyeongju’s UNESCO temples and tombs are popular spots for spring blossom photoshoots and the Olympic-sized ski resort of Yongpyong is best for skiing in winter.

Why we love it: There's no bad time to do a working holdiay. You could stay for the full 12 months and experience all the seasons.

The big cities never really sleep

The understudies of New York, South Korean cities don’t have a curfew. Put it down to the 24-hour coffee spots or constantly flickering billboards, but Seoul and Busan never sleep. As well as the karaoke bars and clubs, there are bathhouses, shopping malls and food markets that welcome revellers well into the early hours.

Why we love it: Early morning singalongs and a steamy soak with some strangers – what's not to love?

Vending machines sell everything

Meaning you can get hot ramen at 2am without having to interact with a human. We've also heard of vending machines selling socks and second-hand books – perfect if you step in a puddle on your way to a book swap.

For those of you with elite levels of laziness, just order what you need direct. In South Korea, you can order KFC on the beach and it will be delivered straight to your sunlounger. Life goals complete.

Why we love it: You can get almost anything you need at any time in South Korea. Forgetting your packed lunch is actually a good thing.

South Korea has a need for speed

The trains, the Wi-Fi, the food culture – everything is super-fast in South Korea. Apparently, it’s the fastest Wi-Fi in the world. The high-speed railway is great too – you can get from Seoul in the north of the country to Busan in the south in about three hours. That’s almost the entire length of the country in three Squid Game episodes.

Why we love it: Less time waiting for things to load, more time exploring the best of South Korea.

So, there you have it, 7 fun facts about South Korea that you might not know. If these facts have tickled your curiosity, there's no better way to experience everyday life in South Korea than by living there.

From exploring Seoul's cat-mad café culture to hiking national parks on weekends, a working holiday in South Korea is the best way to get to know this weird and wonderful place.