One of the cultural quirks that often confuses foreigners is Korea’s unique way of counting age. Unlike most countries where age follows the international system, Koreans often live as if they are one or two years older than their foreign peers. To many outsiders, this feels surprising—even unfair—but for Koreans, the “Korean age” system feels simpler and deeply familiar.
1. How Is Korean Age Different?
The Korean age system is not as complicated as it first appears. The main difference lies in how age is counted. While most countries use birthdays as the standard, Korea traditionally bases age on the calendar year.
For example, a baby born on December 31, 2000, would turn one year old on December 31, 2001, in the international system. But in Korea, that same baby is already considered one year old at birth, and when January 1, 2001 arrives—just a day later—the baby is now two years old. In other words, you can become two years old just one day after being born.
2. When Koreans Become Adults
In Korea, adulthood officially begins at 20 years old in Korean age. This system also shapes the school system. Children enter elementary school at the age of 8 (Korean age), continue for six years, then move to middle school at 14. Three years later, at 17, they advance to high school, which lasts until they turn 20.
At 20, Koreans step into adulthood, whether that means university, work, or other life paths. Although each individual’s journey is different, life until 19 tends to follow a common, age-structured timeline.
3. The “Yoon Suk-yeol Age”
In 2023, the Korean government under President Yoon Suk-yeol passed the “Unified Age Law,” adopting the international age system as the official standard. Yet, even two years later, many Koreans still cling to the traditional way of counting age.
Because age is such a central part of Korean social interactions—especially when deciding how to address someone—international age still feels distant. As a result, many people jokingly call international age “Yoon Suk-yeol age.” For some, using it feels like admitting they are getting older. This is why many Koreans prefer to answer with their birth year instead of giving a direct number. Despite the new law, the traditional Korean age system remains deeply rooted in everyday life.
4. Why Age Matters So Much in Korea
Asking someone’s age during a first meeting in Korea is not considered rude—it is often a form of greeting. But behind this lies a deeper cultural weight. In Korea, age determines school entry, graduation, and even social expectations. People naturally compare their lives to peers of the same age, which can create pressure to meet certain milestones “on time.
So if a Korean asks your age the moment you meet, don’t be surprised.
For them, it’s simply a way of starting the conversation.