Seoul has several nicknames, but some popular ones include "The Land of the Morning Calm" (referring to Korea generally, often associated with Seoul) and its official new slogan, "Seoul, my soul," which plays on the similar sound of "Seoul" and "soul". Historically, it was known as "Hanseong" or "Hanyang", meaning "City on the Han River" or "Walled City," and during Japanese rule, "Gyeongseong".
Seoul, the capital of Baekje in ancient times
Wiryeseong came to be called Hanseong or Daeseong because it was, as the names suggest, a large city protected by fortress walls, or Wangseong, meaning “the king's fortress” as it contained the kingdom's royal residence.
Over the years, Seoul has had several names, including Wiryeseong, Namgyeong and Gyeongseong, but the city became known as Seoul after World War II. The name Seoul comes from a Korean word that originally meant “capital city.” It likely evolved from Seorabeol, the name of Silla's capital.
The nickname "Land of the Morning Calm" was coined by Percival Lowell in his book, "Chosön, the Land of the Morning Calm," published in 1885.
During the period of Japanese rule, the name Seoul was not used by the Japanese as a place name; instead, it was called Keijo in Japanese or Gyeongseong in Korean.
Seoul was called "Hanseong" (漢城) or "Hanyang" (漢陽) during the Joseon dynasty but the city's main railway station, Seoul Station, opened with the name "Gyeongseong Station" (京城驛) in 1900, which it retained until 1905. It was then called Gyeongseong Station again from 1923 to 1947, when it assumed its current name.
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.
Seoul is known for its dynamic blend of ancient history and futuristic innovation, famous for K-pop and the Korean Wave, stunning palaces like Gyeongbokgung, vibrant shopping districts (Myeongdong), delicious street food markets (Gwangjang Market), traditional Hanok villages, and landmarks like the N Seoul Tower, all connected by efficient public transport and a thriving art and nightlife scene.
"Korea" is the modern spelling of "Corea", a name attested in English as early as 1614. "Corea" is derived from the name of the ancient kingdom of Goryeo. Korea was transliterated as Cauli in The Travels of Marco Polo, of the Chinese 高麗 (MC: Kawlej, mod.
Korean lovers use many terms, with popular ones including 자기야 (jagiya) for "honey/babe," 애기야 (aegiya) for "baby," and 여보 (yeobo) for married couples' "darling," while 오빠 (oppa) (for women to older men) and 공주님 (gongjunim)/왕자님 (wangjanim) (princess/prince) are also common affectionate titles.
The new brand slogan for the nation's capital is "Seoul, my soul." The Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 28 said it selected the phrase after it topped the final round of voting. Meaning a city that can fill people's soul, "Seoul, my soul" was inspired by the similar pronunciation of the terms "Seoul" and "soul."
[Overview] Seoul (full name Seoul Special City, old name "Hanseong") is the capital city and largest metropolis of the Republic of Korea. It is also the political, economic, cultural and educational center as well as the sea, land and air transportation hub of the country.
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.
Romantic Korean Nicknames for Partners
Koreans use "우리" (uri, meaning "we/our") so frequently, even for "my," because it reflects a deep-seated cultural emphasis on collectivism, community, and shared identity rather than individualism, stemming from Confucian traditions and historical experiences like the Korean War. It expresses a sense of belonging, closeness, and unity, implying that something isn't just yours but part of a larger group, family, or nation, creating connection and humility.
Age of consent is equal in South Korea. for both homosexual and heterosexual relationships, set at 13 & 16 years old. At 13, individuals can have sexual relations with anyone older than 13 and younger than 19. At 16, individuals can have sexual relations with anyone older than 16.
The city was popularly called Seoul in Korean during both the Joseon (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910) and the period of Japanese rule (1910–45), although the official names in those periods were Hanseong and Gyeongseong, respectively.
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.
Is Seoul expensive? The answer isn't a simple yes or no. While Seoul—South Korea's bustling capital—can be pricey in certain aspects, savvy travelers can enjoy affordable meals, budget-friendly accommodations, and efficient public transport that keep overall costs manageable.
Perhaps the most popular of the Korean terms of love between couples it means "honey," "darling," or "baby," which you'll often hear among couples in K-dramas. You can also just shorten it to 자기 (jagi). Use this term along with Korean love phrases. It's used for both men and women.
Korean uses two number systems, Sino-Korean (il, i, sam...) for dates, money, minutes, and Native Korean (hana, dul, set...) for general counting, age, and hours; 1-10 in Sino-Korean are 일 (il), 이 (i), 삼 (sam), 사 (sa), 오 (o), 육 (yuk), 칠 (chil), 팔 (pal), 구 (gu), 십 (sip), while in Native Korean they are 하나 (hana), 둘 (dul), 셋 (set), 넷 (net), 다섯 (daseot), 여섯 (yeoseot), 일곱 (ilgop), 여덟 (yeodeol), 아홉 (ahop), 열 (yeol).
“내 사랑” (nae sarang) – My love: This isn't commonly used, but it's nice and straightforward. “바보야” (babo-ya) – Dummy: Don't be offended! In Korean, this is both a pet name and a tease. “애인” (aein) – Sweetheart: This term combines “애” (love) and “인” (person) to express that this person is your favorite.