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Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Korean People You Should Know

6 min read January 20, 2024

South Korea has produced a plethora of talented individuals who have gained global recognition for their contributions in various fields. From K-pop idols to actors, directors, and business tycoons, Korean celebrities and notable people continue to make a significant impact on the world stage.

  • PSY: Park Jae-sang, better known as PSY, rose to international fame with his viral hit song “Gangnam Style” in 2012. The music video broke records on YouTube and made PSY a global sensation.
  • BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan): The seven-member boy group BTS has taken the world by storm with their catchy music, synchronized dance moves, and positive messages. They have sold out stadiums worldwide and have become one of the most successful K-pop groups of all time.
  • Blackpink: This four-member girl group has made a name for themselves with their powerful vocals and fierce stage presence. They have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez.
  • Song Kang-ho: One of South Korea’s most acclaimed actors, Song Kang-ho has starred in numerous award-winning films, including “Parasite” (2019), which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Picture.
  • Lee Byung-hun: Another renowned South Korean actor, Lee Byung-hun has starred in a wide range of films and television dramas. He has gained international recognition for his roles in “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008), “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009), and “The Magnificent Seven” (2016).
  • Park Chan-wook: Park Chan-wook is a celebrated South Korean film director known for his dark and twisted thrillers. His most famous films include “Oldboy” (2003), “Lady Vengeance” (2005), and “The Handmaiden” (2016).
  • Choi Si-won: A member of the K-pop boy group Super Junior, Choi Si-won has also made a name for himself as an actor and philanthropist. He has starred in numerous television dramas and films and is known for his charitable work with UNICEF.
  • Jay Park: A former member of the K-pop group 2PM, Jay Park has enjoyed a successful solo career as a singer, rapper, and dancer. He is also the founder of the record label AOMG.
  • Nancy Jewel McDonie: Known mononymously as Nancy, this Korean-American singer is a member of the K-pop girl group Momoland. She has gained popularity for her stunning visuals and charismatic stage presence.
  • Kim Yu-na: A retired figure skater, Kim Yu-na is one of the most decorated athletes in South Korea. She won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics and became the first South Korean to win a medal in figure skating.
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu (Amnok) and Tumen rivers, and South Korea to the south at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. North Korea's border with South Korea is a disputed border as both countries claim the entirety of the Korean Peninsula. The country's western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan. North Korea, like its southern counterpart, claims to be the legitimate government of the entire peninsula and adjacent islands. Pyongyang is the capital and largest city. The history of present-day Korea began with the foundation of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the mythic king Dangun, but no archaeological evidence and writing was found from this period. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea under Unified Silla in 668 AD, Korea was subsequently ruled by the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). In 1897, King Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire, which was annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1910. In 1945, after the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, Korea was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel, with the north occupied by the Soviet Union and the south occupied by the United States. In 1948, separate governments were formed in Korea: the socialist and Soviet-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and the capitalist, Western-aligned Republic of Korea in the south. The Korean War began when North Korean forces invaded South Korea in 1950. In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement brought about a ceasefire and established a demilitarized zone (DMZ), but no formal peace treaty has ever been signed. Post-war North Korea benefited greatly from economic aid and expertise provided by other Eastern Bloc countries. However, Kim Il Sung, North Korea's first leader, later purged both pro-Soviet and pro-Chinese elements from the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and promoted his personal philosophy of Juche as the state ideology. Pyongyang's international isolation sharply accelerated from the 1980s onwards as the Cold War came to an end. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 then brought about a sharp decline to the North Korean economy. From 1994 to 1998, North Korea suffered a famine that resulted in the deaths of between 240,000 and 420,000 people, and the population continues to suffer from malnutrition. In 2024, North Korea formally abandoned efforts to reunify Korea. North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship with a comprehensive cult of personality around the Kim family. The country is widely considered to have the worst human rights record in the world. Officially, North Korea is an "independent socialist state" which holds democratic elections; however, outside observers have described the elections as sham elections. The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling party of North Korea and leads the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea, the sole legal political movement in the country. According to Article 3 of the constitution, Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism is the official ideology of North Korea. The means of production are owned by the state through state-run enterprises and collectivized farms. Most services—such as healthcare, education, housing, and food production—are subsidized or state-funded. North Korea follows Songun, a "military first" policy which prioritizes the Korean People's Army in state affairs and the allocation of resources. It possesses nuclear weapons, and is the country with the highest number of military and paramilitary personnel. Its active-duty army of 1.28 million soldiers is the fourth largest in the world. In addition to being a member of the United Nations since 1991, North Korea is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, G77, and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Most Famous Korean People

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Korean Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Korean community is known for its rich cultural heritage and history. Over centuries, this heritage has shaped the identity of the Korean people, and it continues to be celebrated and passed down through generations. From literature and arts to traditional practices and customs, the Korean community has numerous historical inheritances that are cherished and admired around the world.

Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with Korean heritage:

  • Hangeul: Hangeul is the unique and ingenious Korean writing system. It was created during the 15th century by King Sejong the Great to increase literacy among the Korean people. Hangeul is considered one of the most scientific and efficient writing systems in the world, with its alphabet consisting of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Even today, Hangeul is widely used in South Korea and has been recognized by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
  • Traditional Korean Music: Traditional Korean music, known as “Gukak,” has a deep-rooted history and plays a significant role in Korean cultural life. It encompasses various forms such as vocal music, instrumental music, and court music. Gukak is known for its distinctive sound, which incorporates unique traditional instruments like the gayageum (a zither-like instrument) and the haegeum (a two-stringed fiddle). The traditional music showcases the artistry and aesthetics of the Korean people, often evoking a sense of emotion and nostalgia.
  • Hanbok: Hanbok is the traditional Korean clothing that has been worn by the Korean people for centuries. It is characterized by its vibrant colors, graceful lines, and balanced form. The design and style of Hanbok vary depending on the occasion and the wearer’s social status. Today, while Hanbok is mainly worn for special occasions such as weddings, cultural festivals, and ancestral rites, there is a growing movement to incorporate Hanbok into daily wear and make it more accessible to the younger generation.
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These three historical inheritances are just a glimpse into the richness of Korean heritage. They reflect the creativity, elegance, and sophistication of the Korean community, passing down the traditions and values from one generation to another. The Korean community takes enormous pride in preserving and sharing these cultural inheritances, allowing the world to appreciate the beauty and deep-rooted history of Korea.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Bai, Yao and Buyei roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Factsheet About Korean People

Korean Ethnicity Factsheet

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Korean Ethnicity Factsheet

Category Data
Country South Korea
Official Language Korean
Population 51,709,098
Ethnicity Korean
Religion Buddhism, Christianity
Capital Seoul
Major Cities Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju
Area 100,210 square kilometers
Currency South Korean Won (KRW)
Korean ethnic nationalism (Korean: 한국의 민족주의), or Korean racial nationalism, is a political ideology and a form of ethnic and racial identity for Korean people. It is based on the belief that Koreans form a nation, a race, and an ethnic group that shares a unified bloodline and a distinct culture. It is centered on the notion of the minjok (Korean: 민족; Hanja: 民族), a term that had been coined in Imperial Japan ("minzoku") in the early Meiji period. Minjok has been translated as "nation", "people", "ethnic group", "race", and "race-nation". It has been described by several observers as racist, chauvinist, and ethnosupremacist.This conception started to emerge among Korean intellectuals after the Japanese-imposed protectorate of 1905, leading to Korea's colonization by Japan. The Japanese then tried to persuade the Koreans that both nations were of the same racial stock to assimilate them, similar to what they did with the Ainu and Ryukyuans. The notion of the Korean minjok was first made popular by essayist and historian Shin Chae-ho in his New Reading of History (1908), a history of Korea from the mythical times of Dangun to the fall of Balhae in 926 CE. Shin portrayed the minjok as a warlike race that had fought bravely to preserve Korean identity, had later declined, and now needed to be reinvigorated. During the period of Japanese rule (1910–1945), this belief in the uniqueness of the Korean minjok gave an impetus for resisting Japanese assimilation policies and historical scholarship.The concept has continued to be relevant after the colonial period. In the 1960s, South Korean president Park Chung Hee strengthened "an ideology of racial purity" to legitimize his authoritarian rule.This shared conception of a racially defined Korea continues to shape Korean politics and foreign relations, gives Koreans an impetus to national and racial pride, and feeds hopes for the reunification of the two Koreas. In recent decades, statistics has showed that South Korea is becoming an increasingly multi-ethnic society. As a result, discussions have continued to be held both abroad and in Korea on the topics of race and multi-culturalism.

The Ancient Heritage of Korean Ethnic Groups

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References to the Korean Ethnic Group

For those looking to delve deeper into the Korean ethnic group, there are various references and resources available that provide valuable insights into their history, culture, and more. Whether you are interested in literature, history, art, or cuisine, here are some recommendations to help you explore further:

  • Books: There are several books that offer in-depth knowledge about Korean history, culture, and society. Some recommended titles include “Korea: A Walk Through the Land of Miracles” by Simon Winchester, “Korean Civilization” by Kenneth R. Robinson, and “The Spirit of Korean Culture” by Kim Woo-Choong.
  • Documentaries: Documentaries can provide a visual and immersive experience, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture. “The Kim Dynasty” produced by Frontline and “The Land of the Morning Calm – Korea” by NHK World are highly informative documentaries worth exploring.
  • Academic Journals and Research Papers: Academic journals and research papers are useful resources for those seeking scholarly studies on various aspects of Korean culture and history. The “Journal of Korean Studies” and the “Korean Journal of Sociology” are well-regarded publications that provide detailed analysis and insights.
  • Online Resources: The internet offers a wealth of information on Korean culture, history, and contemporary society. Websites like the Korea Society (www.koreasociety.org) and the official website of the Korean Cultural Center (www.kccla.org) provide a range of resources, including articles, videos, and event listings.

By exploring these references and resources, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of the Korean ethnic group’s rich heritage, traditions, and current significance in the global context.

As we continue to celebrate diversity and embrace the richness of different cultures, let us honor and draw inspiration from these remarkable individuals who have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey.

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Syarif Muhamad

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5 Replies to Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Korean People You Should Know

  1. Came here to ease our withdrawal symptoms post our Korea trip! Food is pretty decent and reasonably priced. We liked the Busan gukbap, hearty soup dish perfect for a rainy night. Look out for some new menu items launching soon! If you’re coming with a group of friends, order the Rainbow train of shots for a fun night out!

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  2. Great place to satisfy your Korean food cravings. We had the busan gukbap which was a great and wholesome soup dish for a wet and rainy day. We felt that the chicken bites thing was a little on the salty side but overall it was an interesting menu with nice vibes. Place was relatively crowded on a weekday night but we could get seats without queuing.

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  5. Good and tasty food. Go for the duo set. Worth it. Kimchi very tasty just abit salty. Customer service was quite good but just keep seeing a waitress keep taking in and out her mask and talk and digging her teeth.not allowed to choose table. All seated in a row. Waitress seem like rushing us off though alot of seats. Table too small.

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