Annyeong!

Have you ever been smacked across the head for whistling at night because it seemingly attracts ghosts? Or scolded for saying snake in your native language instead of calling it a rope since this magically summons a snake into your house? Then, you are very familiar with what a superstition is.

Superstitions are all around us and they vary in countries, ethnicities, and tribes. As an avid follower of Korea, here are a few superstitions I picked up from watching K-dramas.

Dreaming About Pigs Is A Sign Of Good Luck

Did you know seeing a pig in your dream is considered a sign of good luck? Absolutely yes! My Nigerian mother would probably freak out and take me straight to prayer city for saying this but this dream is viewed as a good omen of incoming wealth and riches to come in Korea. If you watched the drama, True Beauty, Moon Ga Young’s character’s favorite animal was a pig and she called it her good luck charm.

Tofu Prevents You From Going Back To Prison

Another popular superstition is that a former inmate has to eat tofu immediately after getting out of prison to avoid going back in the future. Apparently, because tofu is hard; he/she will find it very difficult to return to prison again. A very important fact of this superstition is that the tofu must be eaten immediately after the person’s release but it can be eaten raw or as a major part of the person’s first meal and should be in large chunks.

I have seen this acted out in a couple of dramas but the most memorable one for me is Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938; when the owl goddess, Kim So-Yeon got out of hell’s prison. Didn’t think it worked though, cause Unnie is a rebel in and out. Also, in Queen of Tears, Kim Soo-Hyun’s character got a Tofu cake at his prison release party.

Eating Sticky Food On The Day Of Your Exam/Test Helps You Pass

The next superstition concerns students passing their exams. If K-dramas have taught us anything, it’s that passing the university entrance exam is everything for a Korean student. So, there is a superstition that if you eat sticky food like rice or yeot, whatever you read will stick to your brain and it will be easy for to remember all during the exams. But, this superstition has another side to it because if the student eats seaweed soup on the day of the exam, they will fail. This is because they will forget all they have read as a result of the food watering down their brain. Scary stuff, isn’t it? This is very popular in student-themed dramas.

Number 4 Is A Symbol Of Badluck

The Number 4 superstition is taken very literally in South Korea. It’s rare to see ‘number 4’ on elevators and signposts. This is because in the Sino-Korean numbering system, the word ‘4’ is pronounced as ‘sa’ which also means ‘death’. So, the number is usually replaced with ‘F’ so instead we have ‘1, 2, 3, F, 5, 6, etc. If you don’t believe me, try re-watching any K-drama elevator scenes.

Gifting Your Partner Shoes Will Lead To Breakup

I discovered this superstition on a reality show called KBS Gag Concert. Imagine going to a store with your partner and seeing a sexy-looking 3-5-inch heel or some badass sneakers that your partner will absolutely love but don’t buy them because you’re scared they’ll run away. This might sound romantic to some, but in my country, you will explain tire with no evidence.

In Korean culture, gifting your partners any type of footwear is seen as a big no-no because it’s believed that they will run away from you. Imagine the effrontery! If getting a shoe does that, how about a car?

What do you think about these superstitions? Do you have any you would like to share with us? Hit us up in the comments section below.

Till later, Jajalyo!