In Korea, it is considered rude to look directly into someone's eyes during a conversation, especially if you are being scolded or rebuked by your seniors or elders. In some cultures, making eye contact is a non-verbal part of communication; however, this is not the same in Korean culture.
Eye Contact: During a discussion or friendly conversation, make full eye contact with the person you are talking to. Avoid direct eye contact if you are scolded/rebuked by someone older or of a higher status than you. Some Koreans may also avoid eye contact with their superiors on a regular basis.
For example, in African-American cultures, eye contact with authority figures may be viewed as disrespectful. Similarly, among some Asian groups, eye contact between strangers could be considered shameful. In some Latino cultures sustained eye contact may be viewed as disrespectful.
Holding hands, giving a peck, or even a kiss is a usual sight. In many ways, the level of PDA acceptable in South Korea may surprise you. Korean couples are eager to express their affection toward each other in public than people in Europe or even American cultures.
Being playful: Korean guys might tease their crush or playfully banter with them in order to show their interest. Being attentive: Korean guys might pay close attention to their crush, offering them drinks or asking about their day in an effort to show interest. He will be texting you on a regular basis, every day.
Flirting in Korean culture is pretty much like what you see in Korean dramas. They use romantic, sweet, and cute phrases to touch the heart of the person they like. Aside from romantic phrases, they also flirt by acting cute, called aegyo (애교).
Being in public as a foreigner often means getting stared at a lot. In Sinchon, there's an abundance of foreigners, so locals don't really care about seeing them. However, on the subway, especially heading outside of Seoul, it's more common that being a foreigner makes me stand out more.
PDA in Korea
Although you won't see many kisses while you're venturing around Korea, feel free to hold your date's hand or put your arm around them — these are both considered appropriate displays of affection and can make you feel closer to your date throughout the evening.
Keep the PDA PG
Korean couples might match their outfits, but they're much more reserved about public displays of affection. Holding hands is normal but kissing on the lips? Not so much. If you're from a more openly affectionate country, save your lovey-dovey displays for somewhere more private.
If you want to send the object of your affection a clear signal, then try eye contact. It is a simple way to flirt and you can do it almost anywhere. Think about where you will next see the person you are interested in.
In fact, in Japanese culture, people are taught not to maintain eye contact with others because too much eye contact is often considered disrespectful. For example, Japanese children are taught to look at others' necks because this way, the others' eyes still fall into their peripheral vision [28].
Eye contact is one of many signs of attraction, but it doesn't have to be. A person's eyes naturally wander and may make eye contact with someone else's in passing. If the other person immediately averts their gaze, they may not be interested.
In Korea, it is considered rude to look directly into someone's eyes during a conversation, especially if you are being scolded or rebuked by your seniors or elders. In some cultures, making eye contact is a non-verbal part of communication; however, this is not the same in Korean culture.
According to a survey conducted in 2019 by Ipsos on global attitudes toward beauty, around 38 percent of South Korean respondents stated that they preferred brown eyes for women. On the other end of the scale, only one percent of respondents stated that they considered amber colored eyes ideal for women.
Hard work, obedience to family, protection of the family, and proper decorum among family members are very much Korean values, even in the modern world.
Koreans are reasonably punctual and usually prompt. They tend to try and make the most of the time they have. In certain settings, this can come across as impatient. Use two hands or your right hand alone to offer or receive something.
These traditions include the ethical code of conduct in social life and showing respect to the elders and family. Koreans also believe in sincerity and loyalty and follow certain codes of conduct while meeting, eating, praying and even celebrating. At times when many other cultures would shake hands, Koreans bow.
Love and affection are often expressed through acts of service and gift-giving, and couples often celebrate anniversaries and other special occasions with romantic gestures. It is not uncommon for Koreans to give small gifts to their romantic partners during a date.
Korean Heart
Your fist is the shape of a heart and your two fingers, which are the index and the thumb, are two main vessels. This Korean heart gesture is used to say “I like/love you” to someone and it's commonly used to show how much you adore someone (e.g. K-Pop idol singers at a concert).
In recent years, a Korean import has become the gesture of choice: the 'finger heart'. Formed by slightly overlapping the thumb and index finger into a heart shape, the gesture is believed to have originated with actress Kim Hye-soo in 2010. Nowadays, every Asian heartthrob worth their salt is flashing finger hearts.
At bars, people easily start conversations with complete stranger. But Koreans don't say hi to, or even smile at, strangers passing by. If a Korean makes eye contact with a stranger and happen to say hi or give a smile, he/she would either just ignore, be confused, or have a look of “Do I know you?” on their face.
Kissing in public is looked down upon and seen as highly immodest among older individuals in South Korea. This has become less taboo with the current generation of young adults, but is still widely discouraged by elders. Dressing well is important in South Korea; it is considered a sign of respect.
The importance of being beautiful is deeply entrenched in Korean culture. People believe that being physically attractive is key to having a more successful life, meeting a better mate, career success, etc.