While South Korea has a significant Buddhist population, Christianity is the largest single religion, followed by Buddhism, with a large percentage of the population identifying as non-religious, according to recent surveys. Protestantism and Catholicism form the majority of Christians, while Shamanism and Confucianism also remain influential cultural traditions.
"Jesus" in Korean
The name of Jesus is expressed as 예수 (yesu), and Jesus Christ is 예수 그리스도 (yesu geuriseudo) in Korean.
Thus, the appeal of Christianity in Korea was partly spiritual, partly economic, because of its association with Western modernity (including modern education), and also partly nationalist, because it served as an expression of Korean civil society that was not completely under Japan's control.
We don't really have religions. There wasn't any pressure for us to have a religion, either. Therefore, I don't have a religion.
South Korea also has the 5th largest population of atheists in the world, according to a 2012 Gallup International poll, which found that 15% of South Koreans were "convinced atheists." According to a 2021 Gallup Korea poll, 60% identify with no religion, 17% with Protestantism, 16% with Buddhism, 6% with Catholicism, ...
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.
According to data from the World Population Review, Macau tops the list in 2025 with 59.3% of its population identifying as atheist. Close behind are South Korea (54.9%) and Hong Kong (52.3%), reflecting broader secular trends in parts of East Asia.
Namjoon, Tae and JK have all expressed support in various ways directly to LGBT+ fans that have showed up to fansites. Members like Yoongi has straight up said it's nothing wrong, everyone is equal, when Namjoon was a bit more “diplomatical” and tried to swerve the question a bit.
Many top-selling K-pop groups contain Christians. Groups like Miss A, Shinee, Nu'Est, Shinhwa and TVXQ have believers in their lineups and Wonder Girls and Super Junior are all-Christian groups.
In North Korea (No. 1 on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List) where Christians are considered a “hostile class,” owning a Bible is illegal. Having a Bible in their possession can be the “evidence” needed to arrest and imprison someone (and their family) for following Jesus.
Countries like China, India, and Indonesia have some of the world's fastest-growing Christian populations, with house churches, underground networks, and missionary influence playing key roles.
Buddhism was influential in ancient times while Christianity had influenced large segments of the population in the 18th and 19th century. However, they grew rapidly in membership only by the mid-20th century, as part of the profound transformations that South Korean society went through in the past century.
Sheol, abode of the dead in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). The term can be interpreted to mean either the literal place in which dead people are placed (i.e., in the ground) or the ancient world's concept of the afterlife as a subterranean “land of gloom and deep darkness” (Book of Job 10:21).
While K-pop is generally a difficult industry for overt LGBTQ+ expression, pioneers like Holland (openly gay solo artist) and recent examples like Bain (of JUST B, who came out in 2025) are notable, alongside figures like Jiae (former WASUP, bisexual) and Harisu (pioneering transgender entertainer), showcasing increasing visibility despite societal challenges in South Korea. Many other idols show LGBTQ+ support or hint at fluidity, but these individuals are known for their public declarations.
Jimin is perhaps the most feminine out of all the members and leaves a "Jimin effect"on global audiences. Jimin has actually become one of the most popular celebrities in Korea and globally many people refer to him. He has also become a producer for bts over the past 2 years. Main dancer/ main vocalist of bts.
Here's What to Know - IMDb. Fact: all seven BTS members are as good looking as they are talented, and if you've ever wondered about their relationship statuses, you're definitely not alone. After all, ever since the K-pop group debuted in June 2013, none of its members has ever been in a public relationship.
By 2050, Christianity is projected to remain the world's largest religion, but Islam is expected to nearly equal it in numbers, with both groups comprising around 30-31% of the global population, driven by higher birth rates in Muslim-majority areas and significant growth in Christian populations, particularly in developing regions, according to Pew Research Center analyses.
Donald Trump identifies as a nondenominational Christian, having previously been associated with Presbyterianism and influenced by Norman Vincent Peale's "positive thinking," though his faith journey includes shifting affiliations and a strong connection with evangelical Christians, with recent statements emphasizing a stronger faith after a life-threatening event. While raised Presbyterian and attending church as a child, he declared himself nondenominational in 2020, yet his religious identity is complex, drawing from various Christian influences and appealing to a broad base of Christian supporters, including Christian nationalists.
Pure religion is having the courage to do what is right and let the consequence follow. It is doing the right things for right reasons. To be righteous or serving or loving or obedient to God's laws just to earn praise or recognition is not pure religion.
Currently, China, North Korea, and Vietnam, are officially atheist. Cuba was an atheist state until 2019, when a change in its constitution declared it a secular state.
Whilst atheism has been prominent in our culture for some time – be it through Karl Marx, George Eliot, or Ricky Gervais – it is only now that atheists have begun to outnumber theists for the first time in our history."
Atheism is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and can come with a death penalty, if one is charged as an atheist.