South Koreans Become a Year or Two Younger Overnight
On June 28, 2023, South Koreans woke up to find that they were a year or two younger than they had been the day before. This mass de-aging was due to a new law that came into effect that day, which scrapped the traditional Korean age counting system and replaced it with the international system.
The traditional Korean age system, based on the lunar calendar, counts a person as one year old at birth. On January 1st, everyone’s age increases, regardless of their actual birthday, under the traditional Korean age counting system. This means that a child born on December 31 is considered to be two years old on January 1.
The international age counting system, on the other hand, considers a person to be zero years old at birth. Everyone’s age then goes up on their birthday. This means that a child born on December 31 is considered to be one year old on December 31.
The South Koreans had mixed reactions to the switch to the international age counting system. Some people were happy to finally be able to use the same age system as the rest of the world, while others were sad to see the traditional system go.
There are a few reasons why South Korea decided to switch to the international age counting system. First, it was becoming increasingly difficult to use two different age systems in the same country. This was especially true for businesses and government agencies, which had to keep track of people’s ages in both systems. Secondly, the wider usage of the international age counting system around the world could potentially facilitate easier interactions for South Koreans with people from other countries. Furthermore, South Koreans considered the switch to the international age counting system as a step towards modernizing their country and aligning it with international standards.
The switch to the international age counting system has been relatively smooth so far. There have been a few minor hiccups, such as some people’s identification cards not being updated in time. However, for the most part, South Koreans have been able to adjust to the new system without any major problems.
The switch to the international age counting system is a small step, but it is a significant one. It is a sign that South Korea is moving towards a more modern and internationalized society. It also reminds us that age is just a number. Furthermore, it emphasizes that it is never too late to start anew.
Besides practical reasons, cultural factors also influenced the decision to adopt the international age counting system. South Korea is a society that places a high value on youth and appearance. The traditional Korean age counting system, adding a year to everyone’s age on January 1, can artificially age individuals. This can be especially problematic for young people, who may feel like they are not as successful or accomplished as their peers. By switching to the international age counting system, South Korea is sending a message that age is not as important as it once was. This could help to create a more inclusive and age-friendly society.
Only time will tell what the long-term impact of the switch to the international age counting system will be. However, expectations are that this significant change will have a positive impact in South Korea.