People
BTS
Seoul, South Korea
A seven-member group that became the first Korean act to top the US charts, helping carry K-pop to a worldwide audience.
Formed: 2013 · Known for: K-pop group
South Korea: leaders, famous people, culture and history
11 places on the atlas covering people, language, culture, festivals, folklore and crafts. Highlights include BTS, Korean, Hanbok and Boryeong Mud Festival.
See South Korea on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People BTS and Bong Joon-ho
- Language Korean
- Culture Hanbok, Kimjang (kimchi making) and Hallyu (the Korean Wave)
- Festivals Boryeong Mud Festival
- Folklore Arirang and Pansori
- Crafts Goryeo celadon and Hanji paper
Who leads South Korea?
| President (head of state and government) | Lee Jae Myung |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check South Korea’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from South Korea
- King Sejong the Great creator of Hangul
- Admiral Yi Sun-sin naval hero
- Kim Yuna figure skater
- Bong Joon-ho film director
- Han Kang Nobel-winning novelist
- Yu Gwan-sun independence activist
- Park Chan-wook film director
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for South Korea
- Greeting A slight bow with a handshake is common. Age and seniority matter, so greet elders first.
- Dining Receive drinks and dishes with both hands. Wait for the eldest to start eating. Pour for others, not yourself.
- Home Take off shoes when entering a home or many restaurants with floor seating.
All etiquette tips for South Korea
People in South Korea
People
Bong Joon-ho
Daegu, South Korea
His film Parasite won the Palme d'Or and became the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Born: 1969 · Known for: Film director
Language in South Korea
Language
Korean
Seoul, South Korea
Hangul was designed in the 15th century under King Sejong and is known for being systematic and easy to learn.
Say hello: 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) · Script: Hangul
Culture in South Korea
Culture
Hanbok
Seoul, South Korea
Hanbok is traditional Korean dress with a short jacket and full skirt or trousers. It is worn at weddings, holidays and ceremonies.
Tradition: Traditional dress
Culture
Kimjang (kimchi making)
Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea
Families and neighbours gather in late autumn to prepare large batches of kimchi for the winter. Kimjang is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Tradition: Communal winter kimchi preparation
Culture
Hallyu (the Korean Wave)
Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea
From the late 1990s, South Korean music, television and film grew into a global phenomenon, with K-pop groups and series reaching audiences on every continent.
Tradition: K-pop and K-drama
Festivals in South Korea
Festivals
Boryeong Mud Festival
Boryeong, South Korea
A summer festival where visitors play and slide in mud brought from the nearby tidal flats, with concerts on the beach.
Usually: July · Theme: Summer beach festival · Months: July
Folklore in South Korea
Folklore
Arirang
Jeongseon, Gangwon, South Korea
Arirang is a family of folk songs shared by Koreans, each region with its own version. It is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Kind: Folk song
Folklore
Pansori
Namwon, North Jeolla, South Korea
A solo singer and a drummer perform long stories with dramatic singing and spoken passages. Namwon is closely linked with the tale of Chunhyang. It is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Kind: Epic storytelling in song
Crafts in South Korea
Crafts
Goryeo celadon
Gangjin, South Jeolla, South Korea
Korean potters of the Goryeo dynasty perfected a delicate green glaze and inlay technique. Gangjin was a major kiln centre.
Craft: Pottery with jade-green glaze
Crafts
Hanji paper
Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea
Korean handmade paper made from mulberry bark is strong enough for windows, floors, boxes and books. Jeonju hosts a hanji festival.
Craft: Mulberry-bark paper
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead South Korea today, a short selection of well-known people from South Korea, and the 11 places pinned for South Korea on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see South Korea on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, language page, culture page, festivals page, folklore page and crafts page.
Questions about South Korea
Who is the leader of South Korea?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Lee Jae Myung. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from South Korea?
Well-known people connected with South Korea include King Sejong the Great (creator of Hangul), Admiral Yi Sun-sin (naval hero), Kim Yuna (figure skater), Bong Joon-ho (film director) and Han Kang (Nobel-winning novelist).
Which famous people from South Korea are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for South Korea include BTS and Bong Joon-ho. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in South Korea?
Festivals on the atlas for South Korea include Boryeong Mud Festival. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is South Korea known for?
Language entries for South Korea on the atlas include Korean. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is South Korea known for?
Traditional crafts from South Korea on the atlas include Goryeo celadon and Hanji paper. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is South Korea known for?
Food and customs from South Korea on the atlas include Hanbok, Kimjang (kimchi making) and Hallyu (the Korean Wave). Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does South Korea have?
Folklore and music from South Korea on the atlas include Arirang and Pansori. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore South Korea on the map?
Choose See South Korea on the map above, or search for South Korea on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in South Korea?
Greeting: A slight bow with a handshake is common. Age and seniority matter, so greet elders first. Dining: Receive drinks and dishes with both hands. Wait for the eldest to start eating. Pour for others, not yourself. These are general customs, not legal advice.