K-pop is the new rave in town. Korea’s culture is sweeping the globe. A significant chunk of gen Z has started embracing and emulating this culture. That is all thanks to K-pop groups such as BTS and Blank Pink.
However, Korean culture influences music. Their movies and comic books are a favorite to many.
As a writer, Korean names are not easy to come by. Especially if you have not been fully exposed to the culture itself, this is why The Korean Name Generator is a must-have. It generates different Korean names at the click of a button. This generator also provides practical Korean name suggestions.
This way, you can write comics, novels, screenplays, and so on without much hustle.
Table of Contents
History Of Korea
Korean culture can be traced back to 8000BC when archeological evidence shows pottery related to Koreans.
Still, historians are not convinced that these were Korean ancestors; instead, the Korean culture emerged post the Stone Age.
By the beginning of the 1st century, the kingdoms peninsula and Manchuria were led by two leaders: Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje. These three dabbed their kingdoms, The Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Later one of the leaders, Silla, unified the kingdoms into one in 676 AD. Another leader named King Go took over the remaining territories and named them the Kingdom of Balhae. These two kingdoms existed and lived side by side until 926 AD.
These two kingdoms would face a series of downfalls and unifications for centuries. The most notable change would come during the reign of the Joseon dynasty.
For over four decades, they would face challenges, the Japanese invasion being the straw that broke the camel’s back. Eventually, China helped Joseon stabilize power in his territories, albeit at a cost.
Ultimately, Joseon began to disconnect from the rest of the world. With minimal interactions, modernization and economic growth stagnated. Some countries took advantage of this and forced the leadership into unfair deals.
Nonetheless, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the kingdom grew into the Korean empire. And although it was a new beginning, it did not last long.
Soon Japan took over thanks to the Japan-Korea treaty in 1910. Japan deprived Korea of crucial administrative powers, which led to a revolt. This revolt lasted until after World War II. The Soviets took one side of Korea, now known as the North, and the US placed the South under its protection.
Korean Culture
Generally, the Korean culture is rich and influences their Chinese neighbors. However, the South Koreans live a different lifestyle from their Siblings in the North. Since World War II, the countries have taken different paths, with South Korea embracing Westernisation.
They have also focused on industrialization and contributed immensely to the industrial revolution around the world.
The general population of the country is 52 million. A majority of these people have migrated to urban cities, especially Seoul. Families are leaning towards a nuclear setup instead of the traditional extended family living under the same roof.
The influence of Korean culture has spread its wings all over the world. The latest is K-pop.
North Korea is a reclusive country with authoritarian leadership. They hail their traditional values and expressions. Their economic standpoint is socialist as they view capitalism as the enemy.
They do not embrace western influences as the government seeks to enshrine traditional music, art, language, and publications.
Korea And Religion
Korea is a relatively religious country. However, a slight majority do not have any religious affiliation. According to a census carried out in 2015, more than 50% of the population is not religious.
A majority of the religious groups are protestant Christians, Buddhists, and Catholics in that particular order.
Religion has played a minor role in Koreans’ lives in recent years. As time goes by, the younger generation becomes less inclined to participate in anything religious. Buddhism has been the main religion up until the early 90s.
Confucianism has also played a role for Buddhists, and it has become much more ingrained in the religion since the beginning of the 20th century. Although most of those in urban areas do not identify with this religion, a huge chunk of those in the East of Korea practice it.
Traits Of Korean People
As a culture, certain traits separate the Koreans as a distinct people. Here are some of them.
- Koreans are technological savvy. They spend their time looking at smartphones and mobile devices. In restaurants, libraries, or at home, someone is always online, social media, or working. It is a culture and country powered by technology, much like the rest.
- They are an openly emotional bunch. Korea has always stood out regarding how they process and express emotions in a world where people have learned not to show their emotions. They don’t hide it.
That is something that psychologists are trying to tell the world now. Koreans have been ahead of their time.
- Koreans do not retire to bed early. The nightlife in big cities such as Seoul is vibrant. Most Koreans spend their night having fun. Even on weekdays, they will hang out with their friends until late at night or early in the morning.
If the growing economy is any indication, they can still get to work.
- Koreans are very patriotic. In Korea, there is what they refer to as conscription. That is a mandatory service of every capable male person between the ages of 19-32 in the military for two years.
It makes no difference what political position you hold or how well-known you are; you must serve. It is considered an act of patriotism.
Korean Names
Usually, when people think about Korean names, they think about famous Koreans like Kim Soo-Hyun, Kang Dong-won, and other celebrities with unique and attractive sounding names.
Korean names consist of a surname followed by a given name. The family names are usually based on lineage. Traditionally, Korean women keep their maiden names after marriage to show that they are part of an extended family through their fathers.
Korean names are exotic, mysterious, and beautiful. They sound different from the typical Western names and have a lot of exciting meanings attached to them. For example, if you name a character as “Soo-Jung,” it means “the state of being clear and bright.”
Korean names are also notorious for being difficult to pronounce and even more challenging to think. Fortunately, you’ll be OK with a bit of practice. You’ll get tons of Korean names from our name generator, however, here’s a list of Korean names to get you started.
- A-Yeong
This beautiful Korean name can make an interesting character name. Not only is it unique it also comes with a beautiful meaning. It means cultivated compassion. They are mostly given to females.
- Aera
A character by the name of Aera would pull in a reader. That is another beautiful girl’s name from the Korean language. It means affection, admiration, and love.
- Gyeong
Another tremendous Korean name for a character is Gyeong. It has a nice ring to it and speaks of cultural depth. It means admiration and regard.
- Chung-ha
Chung-ha is another alternative for a character name. It is pretty interesting, and any personality with such a name will carry the same interest to the reader. It means a celebrated daughter.
- Hanna
Close to the common name Hannah, Han-na is a beautiful Korean name that can be used on any female character. Notable Korean celebrities share it, and it means one.
- Min-Seo
If you have an intelligent and quiet character in mind, this is the name. Min-SEO is used reserved for female characters, and it means one who is steady and intelligent.
- Yu-Jin
That is another unique name that a character can possess. It has a Korean feel to it and is given to female characters most of the time. It means sufficient and expensive.
- Mi-Sun
Another great name for a beautiful character is Mi-sun. That is a name given to female characters, which means glamour and virtue.
- Seo-Yun
Seo-Yun is not just a unique name; it gives off beautiful vibes. A female character with such a name tends to exude grace and beauty. This name means sweet and profitable sign.
- Eun-Seo
Anyone can use this as a character name. It has a charming and endearing quality, and it keeps its uniqueness without being obnoxious. It’s a Korean name that means a graceful sign of generosity.
Conclusion
Writing any works of fiction is challenging and requires investing a lot of time in the process. Including Korean characters can be twice as complex unless you grasp Korean culture. There is still the aspect of finding the right name for the exemplary character.
Fortunately, the Korean Name Generator exists to make your work easier. It will give you a good list of options in an instant. At the same time, you can go over the list of names provided in this article. We hope that the guide provided in this article will be of help to you.
If you liked this Korean Name Generator, click here for some other Fiction Name Generators you might love.
Also feel free to try our most popular tools: our Book Mockup Creator and our Book Title Generator.
