Exploring Korea: North and South – Culture and Society

In this episode of The Culture Hug Podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of Korea—both North and South. From centuries of history to the modern-day Korean Wave sweeping across the globe, we explore what makes this peninsula so unique. You’ll learn about the deep-rooted cultural values shaped by Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Juche ideology, and how these beliefs influence everyday life. We’ll talk about customs, etiquette, and what visitors should know before stepping into South Korea, while also peeking into the closed-off society of North Korea. Food lovers will get a taste of Korean cuisine, from kimchi and barbecue to the importance of communal dining. And of course, we’ll uncover why K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cinema have captured worldwide attention, becoming a powerful cultural force. Whether you’re curious about Korean history, its spiritual traditions, or simply want to understand what life is like on both sides of the DMZ, this episode offers an engaging journey into the heart of Korean culture.



North Korea Sources:

• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, North. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/korea-north/
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, North factsheet. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/factbook-reference/north-korea-factsheet/
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, North travel facts. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/factbook-reference/north-korea-travel-facts/
• French, P. (2014, May 2). A day in the life of Pyongyang – How North Korea's capital goes to work. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/may/02/day-in-the-life-pyongyang-north-korea-capital
• Liberty in North Korea. (n.d.). The North Korean people’s challenges. https://www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/learn-north-korea/
• North Korean culture, customs and etiquette. (n.d.). Another Travel. https://www.anothertravel.com/north-korea-culture-customs-etiquette/
• The lived travel experience to North Korea. (n.d.). Bournemouth University Research Online (BURO). http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/
• U.S. Department of State. (2025, August 11). North Korea travel advisory. Travel.state.gov. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/north-korea-travel-advisory.html

South Korea Sources:

• Armstrong, J. (2025, May 26). Korean culture – Guide to history, customs, people, and modern day. 90 Day Korean. https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-culture/
• Armstrong, J. (2025, June 11). Korean table manners – Dining etiquette you need to know. 90 Day Korean. https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-table-manners/
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, South. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/korea-south/
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, South factsheet. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/factbook-reference/south-korea-factsheet/
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2025, August 13). Korea, South travel facts. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/factbook-reference/south-korea-travel-facts/
• Park, L. (n.d.). Korea: Brief history and culture [Presentation slides]. Sejong Cultural Society. https://sejongculturalsociety.org/
• u/stiljo24. (ca. 2022). A series of questions about etiquette as a westerner travelling solo [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/
• U.S. Department of State. (2025, January 21). South Korea international travel information. Travel.state.gov. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/KoreaSouth.html

Comparative / Both Koreas:

• Commisceo Global. (n.d.). How different are North and South Korean cultures? https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/south-korea-guide