If it's considered rude in your country, it's probably considered rude in Korea. Things such as spitting, shouting, hitting people, swearing, and generally being obnoxious are definitely rude in Korea.
Touching, patting, or back slapping is to be avoided during interactions. In addition, direct eye contact between juniors and seniors should be avoided because it is seen as impolite or even a challenge. Korea is one of the most demographically homogeneous countries in the world, racially and linguistically.
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.
Bowl, chopsticks and spoon
Don't hold your chopsticks and spoon together at the same time, never use your chopsticks like skewers, and never stab them in your bowl of rice – which is a funeral ritual.
Finish your meal only once the oldest person has finished with their meals, and try your hardest to finish everything in your bowl or plate. The timing of the meal entirely revolves around rank, so you're not off the hook after you let the eldest guests start eating first.
The big slurp
In South Korea and Singapore, however, not so much. There, you might get unappreciative glances – the kind you get when you talk too loudly in a quiet train carriage. As far as Koreans and Singaporeans are concerned, slurping loudly is utterly uncouth.
Smiling: As well as an expression of glee and humour, smiling can indicate that one is feeling ashamed or embarrassed in Korean culture. For example, a Korean may smile when they make a mistake. Sneezing: Sneezing is considered rude in Korea.
Handshakes and bows are acceptable greetings, but greeting someone with close physical contact, such as hugging or grabbing hands or arms, is bad Korean etiquette. Hugging strangers is certainly bad manners in Korea and will most likely make the other person extremely uncomfortable, especially when in public.
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.
Bowing and handshakes
Koreans bow to those senior to them both as a greeting and a show of respect. The junior person initiates the bow, bending from the waist to an angle of between 30 and 45 degrees from vertical. A less accentuated bow is returned as acknowledgment from the more senior person.
Koreans keep their oral care sets (toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash) and religiously brush their teeth after a cup of coffee, snack, and lunch break. It's very common to see a line of people waiting to brush their teeth at bathrooms in Korean offices.
Modern Koreans enjoy gaming, spectator sports, and exploring the outdoors. Social media has also grown, and Facebook is very popular in South Korea. Music is a big part of South Korean culture. There are more than 50 traditional instruments used along with the voice to make popular music.
If you're dating in South Korea, it's frowned upon to engage in PDA, or public displays of affection. It's okay to hold hands, but anything more than that will result in stares of disbelief. Instead of kissing or hugging in South Korea, couples show their affection by wearing matching outfits.
Illegal drugs such as opium, marijuana/cannabis, cocaine, etc. * Including but not limited to: medicines, handbags, wallets, stoles, taxidermy and ivory from animals such as elephants, leopards, and alligators. Cashier's checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders, etc.
In South Korea, passionate kisses and lingering hugs are considered tacky and inappropriate when they occur in public. Rather, they're seen as special, romantic moments that should be shared with your partner in a private setting.
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).
Public displays of affection (PDA) is a sin most Korean couples commit. While you should keep the steamy make-out sessions private, PDA tends to happen on the norm in Korean dating culture. Holding hands, giving a peck, or even a kiss is a usual sight.
Aegyo-sal is the roll of skin right beneath your eyes that frame the lower eye lids. This small detail to the eye is widely envied by Koreans as it makes one look younger and innocent. Sometimes called “eye smiles”, aegyo-sal makes the eye appear bigger because of the pop it gives the eye.
What NOT to wear in South Korea. While South Korea is quite modern, it's considered inappropriate to show too much skin, especially around the shoulders and chest area. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly in traditional or religious settings.
Respect should always be shown to those that are older than you. This involves deferring to their opinion, waiting for their input and lowering your gaze if they are an elder. Objects, gifts and food should be offered and received with two hands.
Yawning loudly and chewing gun in public are also considered rude. It is considered bad manners in Korea to lift rice bowls, like Chinese often do, to eat, or smoke in front of the elderly.
Slurping and belching are acceptable while dining, and is sometimes considered a sign of appreciation of the cooking. Tipping is not a part of the culture in Korea.
Meeting and greeting
Foreigners will see Koreans bowing all the time, even during telephone conversations. Though doing likewise will do much to endear you to locals, don't go overboard – a full, right-angled bow would only be appropriate for meeting royalty (and the monarchy ended in 1910).