1. Urban Legend that fans cause death
No, I'm not talking about real-people fans � I'm talking about spinning, electronic fans. There's a urban legend that leaving an electric fan running while you're sleeping in a closed room can cause hypothermia which may lead to death.
To make things worse, Korean media sources sometimes report alleged cases of fan death year after year. Instead of reporting the victim's current conditions and illnesses, reporters in Korea can write inaccurate articles and is the the big reason why this is still a common belief today.
It is unsure where this myth originated from � but one conspiracy theory is that the South Korean government first created this myth as a propaganda to lower the country's energy consumption during the 1970's energy crisis.
2. Fastest but restricted internet
Korea has the fastest internet in the world � but at a cost. Internet in Korea is strictly monitored, regulated, and censored. On top of that, many websites are required by law to have their users register their real name and social security number to gain access.
Korea's internet censorship originated as a way to protect political leaders from "humiliation" due to the anonymity on the internet and the rise of cyber-bullying. Since then, it has evolved to block pornography, inappropriate content for minors, and subversive communication.
But I have to ask, can the internet ever be fully controlled?
3. Korea consumes the most alcohol in the world
Alcohol consumption is a big part of Korean culture. According to a report from Euromonitor, Koreans consumed 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average, which is the highest in the world � doubling the consumption of Russians, who are in second place on the list.
Soju is the drink of choice naturally � specifically, Jinro Soju -- which is the world's best selling spirit according to multiple sources including Drinks International and The Millionaire's Club.
4. Pro-gamers are sponsored by major corporations
Imagine Apple or Microsoft sponsoring North American e-sport teams. Thats what its like In Korea. Major corporations like Samsung and SK Telecom are the official sponsors of the e-sports scene in South Korea. With the financial backing of some of the biggest companies, professional Korean gamers are able to take e-sports to another level � proving themselves to be the best in the world as they dominate the international e-sports scene year and year. The World Championship of League of Legends is set to take place on October 31 and the finals features two Korean teams in SKT T1 and KOO Tigers.
5. Red Ink
In Korea, it is strictly taboo to write the name of another person with red ink. It is said that if you write another person's name in red, you are giving them their death sentence. This superstition stems from the association with the death of a family member and the color red � which is used to record a deceased person's name in the family register.
Death Note anyone?
6. School days are 15 hours long
As hard as it is to believe, high school students in South Korea have to typically endure 15 hour days in school. Because the competition for the universities are so fierce in the small country of Korea, most of the students have no choice but to follow or get left behind.
If you haven't, check out our previous article, 5 reasons you're lucky you didn't go to school in Korea.
7. You can't flush toilet paper
Even though Korea has made made enormous strides in technological and structural advances within the past few decades � the sewage system hasn't caught up. In many places, it is actually frowned upon to dispose toilet paper into the toilet because of the havoc it may cause to the old plumbing infrastructure. You are instead supposed to dispose of your waste into the trashcan right next to the toilet. Then again, where there's newer construction, you can have high tech toilets such as these.
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