Suh ChangWhoon
Written by 서 창훈, a certified Korean teacher with 14+ years of experience in Japan. He previously worked as a government officer, cybersecurity consultant, and English interpreter. Today, he teaches Korean in real classrooms without complex grammar explanations — instead, he trains students’ brains to speak naturally. His unique method is now the foundation of all his Korean courses.
Table of Contents
What Is the Korean Age System?
Why Does Age Matter So Much in Korea?
The Big Change in 2023: Goodbye, Korean Age?
How to Calculate Your Korean Age (It’s Easy!)
Korean Age vs. International Age
| Type of Age | How It Works |
|---|---|
| International | Your birthday counts. Age increases on your birthday. |
| Korean Traditional | 1 year old at birth. Age increases on Jan 1. |
| Legal (2023+) | South Korea now officially uses international age. |
Quick Recap
FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)
1. ❓Do K-dramas and K-pop use the Korean age system?
Yes — in interviews and shows, K-pop idols and actors often refer to their Korean age when talking about milestones or rankings (like youngest/oldest in a group). But in international promotions, they usually use their global age.
2. ❓Is Korean age used in schools or the military?
In everyday school life, students mostly follow their school grade level, but age still determines seniority. In the military, Korean age system was traditionally used, though recent changes have made it more flexible, aligning with the South Korean age system change in official records.
3. ❓Do North and South Korea use the same age system?
While both historically used the traditional Korean age system, North Korea now uses international age officially. South Korea made the same change in 2023, but the age system in Korea still differs socially.
4. ❓How should I ask someone’s age in Korea?
Asking age is common when meeting new people in Korea. It helps decide speech levels (존댓말 vs. 반말). You can say:
👉 “나이가 어떻게 되세요?” (formal)
But be respectful — age is sensitive, especially under the South Korean age system where small differences matter.
5. ❓How can I politely avoid answering age questions in Korea?
If you feel uncomfortable, you can smile and say:
👉 “비밀이에요~” (It’s a secret~)
or
👉 “좀 어려운 질문이네요.” (That’s a tough question.)
But know that this might surprise people — the Korean age system makes age feel like necessary context in social settings.
