Age Is Just More Than A Number
There are huge difference between Korea and America about age. The understanding of age would be just a number in the states, but age is just more than a number in Korea. It is traditional Korean culture to respect anyone who is older than you. Koreans use different vocabulary like adding "-yo, -da, or gga" end of sentence for anyone who is older or anyone who need to show your respect. It is not a written law that all Koreans must bow or use honorific language to anyone who is old, but it is general concept for Korean people to respect old people. However, in America age is just a number, and people do not usually ask or care other people's age. Because age is not a huge issue in normal social life, anyone could be close friends with out using honorific language. Since there is totally different concept and understanding about age between Korean and America, there are not many similarities about age system. Being friends with same age of person could be one similar thing. It does not people in Korea could not be close with person with different age, but there is still words for older man and woman. For man, people should use "hyung" for older man and "noona" for older woman. For woman, people should use "oppa" for older man and "unniie" for older woman. Since People gets old as every new years(January 1st), there is not many confusion about counting ages which might make trouble. It is sort of classification with age in Korea which creates unique Korean culture. There are many different culture between Korea and America, but this age system would be one of the most different system. Those military style in daily life built actual Korean culture. If you want to get a respect like Aretha Franklinfrom from "Dongsaeng"(a Korean word to define someone who is younger), it is your time to visit Korea for R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Picture : Bocskay, John. "Old Before My Time: The Concept of Korean Age." Korea Stripes. .Busan Haps Magazine, 3 June 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
Video : "Korean Age vs. American Age (Q&A #10)." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Feb. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
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