Yes, you can marry someone with the same last name in South Korea now, as the legal ban on same-surname/same-clan marriages was struck down by the Constitutional Court in 1997 and formally amended in the Civil Code, prohibiting marriage only between blood relatives within the eighth degree (third cousins), regardless of surname. While culturally discouraged for distant relatives of the same bon-gwan (ancestral clan), it's legally permitted, allowing many couples with common names like Kim, Lee, or Park to marry.
Currently, South Korean laws only ban marriage between people who share a blood relative within the eighth degree (third cousins), whether or not the couple in question shares the same surname.
If its not blood related ; then yes you can be married.
Korean names consist of two parts: a family name and a given name. Traditionally, a child takes their father's surname like in many other cultures, but Korean women do not take their husband's surname after marriage.
Kings would grant commoners surnames as a mark of favor. Thus, having the same family name does not always mean that people are related. The following list contains the 10 most common family names in Korea along with their Hangul (Korean) character, based on the 2015 KOSIS census.
Rare Korean Surnames
If two people of the same surname get married both can cure whooping cough. The food left by ferrets can also cure whooping cough. Sty on the eye: Nine goose-berry thorns pointed at the affected eye will cure it.
여보 (Yeobo) - A classic term used between married couples, similar to "honey" or "darling." 자기 (Jagi) - Equivalent to "baby" or "sweetie," used between couples. 애인 (Aein) – “Romantic partner / lover.” A neutral and widely used term for someone you're in a romantic relationship with.
Marriage in South Korea is currently restricted to unions between individuals of the opposite sex as same-sex marriages remain unrecognized. People over 18 years old may marry with their parents' or guardians' consent. Otherwise South Korea's age of consent to marriage is 20 in Korean age (19 in international age).
Korean names look simple – typically three syllables, a one-syllable family name first followed by a two-syllable given name.
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling specific, regular quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (getaway) every 7 weeks, and a romantic holiday every 7 months, often without kids, to foster intimacy, reduce stress, and prevent routine from overtaking the relationship. It's about consistent, intentional efforts to prioritize the partnership.
There isn't one single "rarest last name" globally, as rarity changes by region, but some names are incredibly scarce, with examples including Pober, Mirren, Febland in England, Gambello (around 60 globally), and unique historical names like Marsvin (Danish noble, extinct male line) or names that have nearly vanished like Twelvetrees or Birdwhistle. Rarity often comes from geographic origins, recent migration, or names dying out, with some existing with only a handful of people.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
a) Embassy
The first step you need to do is to go to the embassy of your home country in Korea, and get an “Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage”. This will prove that you are not married in your home country, and are eligible to get married. This is a requirement from the Korean government.
Your spouse will have a different name unless they choose to change theirs too. It's uncommon for both spouses to have hyphenated last names. People may simply ignore one of your last names. Some people just don't care about your last name and will choose one of your last names when referring to you.
South Korea has long prohibited marriages between blood relatives within eight degrees of relations (called “chon” in Korean). A brother or sister is related to the person by the 2nd degree, nephews and nieces by the 3rd degree, first cousins by the 4th degree, etc.
The "3 date rule" in Korean dating refers to the common practice of establishing an official couple status (boyfriend/girlfriend) by the third date, moving from casual "talking" (sseom) to a defined relationship quickly, a faster pace than typical Western dating, allowing for deeper getting-to-know-you stages after becoming official, though it's becoming less strict with younger generations. It's about rapid commitment assessment, with the first few dates gauging chemistry before locking things down.
South Korea's 52-hour work rule caps most employees' weekly working hours at 52, consisting of 40 standard hours plus 12 allowed overtime hours, aiming to reduce overwork, improve work-life balance, and boost productivity by ending excessively long workweeks previously common in the country. Implemented in phases for different company sizes, this law applies to a seven-day week, including weekends, and was a major revision to the Labor Standards Act, phasing in from 2018 to 2021 for most businesses.
“Traditionally, the red spots are meant to ward off evil spirits,” Ahn says, cheekily adding that she uses Avery stickers applied directly to the cheeks on her brides. “But for us modern Korean women, having the red dots on the cheeks more represents a youthfulness and playfulness.
Facing one another, the bride and groom bow to one another—the bride bowing twice to the groom, the groom bowing once to the bride, the bride bowing two more times, and then the groom bowing once more.
Koreans often use cute and affectionate terms when addressing their romantic partners. The most common ones include: 자기야 (jagiya) – “Honey” or “Baby”; the most popular and gender-neutral pet name for lovers. 여보 (yeobo) – Traditionally used by married couples, similar to “darling” or “dear.”
It can be either, depending on the language and context: "Gaja" (가자) is the common Korean informal word for "Let's go," though pronounced closer to "Kaja" by many, while "Kaja" is used in some Slavic languages (like Slovenian) as a name or for "effort/work," and the Italian wine brand Gaja is pronounced "Gah-yah," not "Gaja," notes a YouTube video.
In the United States, second cousins are legally allowed to marry in every state. However, marriage between first cousins is legal in only about half of the American states. All in all, marrying your cousin or half-sibling will largely depend on the laws where you live and personal and/or cultural beliefs.
Not at all! A hyphenated last name etiquette is about personal choice and respect for both partners. It's a modern way to honor both families and create a shared identity.
yes you would both have to change your names by deed poll: 1. the woman has the right to take her husbands surname as her own & the marriage certificate is proof of this.