The new year and my korean age

For New Year's Eve I had the pleasure to experience seeing the Ying Yang Twins perform in Seoul. For those of you who are not familiar with them they are a "crunk rap" duo that have hilariously graphic sexual songs to the beats of hip hop club dance music. Needles to say it was a very interesting and yet oddly normal experience here in Korea. I went with some friends and celebrated the new year with a typical slice of strangeness found in Korea. While they were performing we were so close to the stage that we were practically on it. As a matter of fact towards the end of the performance I found myself on stage with them as well as some other people singing along and snapping pictures. The night was fun and we stayed out late which made work the next day quite dreadful but I only had a half day so it was manageable.








Had to get a picture of the coat check guy's facial hair

That same night I also, along with everyone else, became a year older in Korean society. In Korea they have a different system than the west when it comes to your age. In Korea everyone turns a year older together when the new year comes in. So everyone that would be in your school class would be the same age regardless of when you were actually born. When January 1st rolls around even if your birthday is in August you are a year older. Also when keeping track of your age they follow the "there is no year zero" approach and so when you are born you are considered a 1 year old. After coming to Korea at the age of 22 and spending 6 weeks here I am now a 24 year old. Happy new year and happy birthday...