Does anyone know the story or origin behind the "Korean Age"? I imagine it is not only a Korean thing; maybe an Asian cultural thing.

All I know is the day you are born you are one-year-old. Then when the New Year hits, you automatically add another year to your age, even if your birthday has not passed. So if you were born in June 2, 1966, in "American age" you are 39 right now (since it hasn't reached June yet), but in Korea you'd be 41. Between you and a Korean guy born 6 months after you, everyone would think he's older than you. Very confusing...

Maybe that's why Koreans tend to ask, "What year were you born?" instead of "How old are you?"

Ok...You're right. that's why......!!!
So, I very hate that point.
for reference, My brithday is April 1, 1972.

After 5 years of interacting with Koreans on a regular basis, it still perplexes me. I too have found that nearly everyone that I asked my age and would then ask when I was born. I think it has something to do with the Chinese (Lunar) calender -vs-the Gregorian Solar calendar which most of us use.

Damn good question which I still don't know the "real" answer to.

No wonder why Asians look so young! Because they are 1-2 years younger than they say.

Mike

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I always theorized that since age has such a big impact on the culture (i.e. respect), everyone wants to be older as fast as they can.

I heard another theory from a Korean friend...she says the time you spend in the mother's womb counts as one year. Of course, I addressed the issue that babies only spend 9 months in there and "What about the remaining 3 months?" and she said it's just rounded off to the greater; just like when the New Year passes

Age never really meant anything to me, but it gets annoying sometimes when living in a culture that makes a really big deal of it.

Watch out if you are hookin' up with the 19 or 20 year old bar girls. Especially with the presidents new prostitution/human trafficing laws. (which went into effect this month)

*cry*