If you've ever taken an elevator in Korea and felt like you missed a secret memo, you actually did. Korean elevators have their own vibe, and no one really tells you the rules until you accidentally break one and get silently judged by everyone inside.

Although, K-dramas should already give you hints by now but before you find yourself standing in awkward silence, not knowing where to look or why no one pressed the button even though they clearly wanted to go up, let me break it down for you and just like a double-edged sword, trust me this will be useful if you are still planning that Korean trip.

The Button Pusher is Sacred

In Korea, the person standing closest to the elevator buttons becomes the unofficial elevator captain. They press the floor buttons for everyone, hold the “open” button like it’s a full-time job, and usually step out last. It’s a whole system. If you try to reach across them to push your own floor, it’s not rude exactly, but it's off. Just tell them your floor. They'll handle it. Trust the system.

Silence is the order of the day

There’s no elevator small talk here. No “nice weather today” or “wow, this elevator is fast.” Nope. You ride in silence, stare at the numbers, and pretend the other people don’t exist. In fact, if you’re with friends and you’re chatting, keep it soft. Loud elevator convos, especially on phones, will definitely earn you a few side-eyes A.K.A. the silent Korean version of “can you just shut up?”

Facing the Doors Is the Only Acceptable Direction

When you walk into a Korean elevator, you don’t turn to face your friends. You don’t stand in the corner facing sideways. You turn to face the door like everyone else, and you stay like that until your floor arrives. I mean, isn’t it just absurd to face a place everyone else is backing?

Priority Spots Are Real

The front corners of the elevator (the ones right next to the buttons) are a kind of unofficially reserved for the elderly, people with strollers, or anyone who needs more time. If you're young, healthy, and able to move, avoid parking yourself there unless it’s absolutely empty. Also, if someone comes in with a stroller or wheelchair, everyone shifts automatically to give them space. It’s not dramatic or showy, it just happens. And if you don’t move? You will definitely feel the passive-aggressive energy rise for real.

Exiting Etiquette Is Precise

The elevator doors open. You're not getting off yet. But someone behind you is. What do you do? Just step out of the elevator briefly, even if it’s not your floor. Let the person pass, then step back in like nothing happened. Don’t just stand in the middle like a human barricade. It’s basic elevator etiquette, but in Korea, people actually follow it.

No One’s Making Eye Contact

Don't panic. It’s not you. It’s the culture. Eye contact in elevators is rare, everyone is usually looking at the floor, the ceiling, the little screen showing news and weather, or the door. Basically, anything except other humans. It’s not rudeness. It’s just the unspoken agreement that we’re all pretending this ride isn’t happening, or everyone is saying ‘let’s just get this over with’ in their heads

Seriously, Korean elevators are kind of like mini social experiments, and seriously, it’s not that deep. However, even though no one will yell at you for messing up the vibe, you’ll definitely feel the difference if you’re not following along. You get?

So next time you step into an elevator in Korea, remember these rules, and your ride will be smoother, and so will your unspoken social score.