South Korea

== Culture and society ==
{{Main|Culture of South Korea}}
{{See also|Culture of Korea}}
[[File:Kayagumplayer2.jpg|thumb|A musician playing a ''[[gayageum]]'']]

South Korea shares its traditional culture with North Korea, but the two Koreas have developed distinct contemporary forms of culture since the peninsula was divided in 1945. Historically, while the culture has been [[Chinese influence on Korean culture|heavily influenced by that of neighboring China]], it has nevertheless independently managed to develop a unique cultural identity in its own right that is distinct from that of its larger neighbor on the East Asian mainland.<ref>{{cite book|author=Fairbank, John K. |author2= Reischauer, Edwin O. |author3= Craig, Albert M. |title=East Asia: Tradition & Transformation |publisher= Houghton Mifflin |location =Boston |year=1978 |isbn=978-0-395-25812-5}}</ref> Its rich and vibrant culture left [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|21 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/state|title=UNESCO - Republic of Korea|website=ich.unesco.org|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520153604/https://ich.unesco.org/en/state|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Intangible cultural heritage#Intangible Cultural Heritage by country|fourth largest in the world]],{{update inline|date=January 2023}} along with [[List of World Heritage Sites in South Korea|15 World Heritage Sites]]. The [[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]] actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mct.go.kr/english/section/bureau/cultural_1.jsp |publisher=MCT |title=Associated Organisations |access-date=11 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051224163415/http://www.mct.go.kr/english/section/bureau/cultural_1.jsp |archive-date=24 December 2005 }} See also {{cite web|url=http://www.kcaf.or.kr/ehome3/mission.htm |title=Mission and Goal |publisher=Korea Cultural Administration |access-date=11 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430184339/http://www.kcaf.or.kr/ehome3/mission.htm |archive-date=30 April 2006}}</ref> According to the 2023 edition of the [[Press Freedom Index]], South Korea has the second highest level of press freedom in Continental and East Asia, behind Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Index 2023 – Global score |url=https://rsf.org/en/index?year=2023 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=[[Reporters Without Borders]]}}</ref>

Industrialization and urbanization have brought many changes to the way modern Koreans live. Changing economic circumstances and lifestyles have led to a concentration of population in major cities, especially the capital Seoul, with multi-generational households separating into [[nuclear family]] living arrangements. A 2014 Euromonitor study found that South Koreans drink the most alcohol on a weekly basis compared to the rest of the world. South Koreans drink 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average and, of the 44 other countries analyzed, Russia, the Philippines, and Thailand follow.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Koreans drink twice as much liquor as Russians and more than four times as much as Americans |url=http://qz.com/171191/south-koreans-drink-twice-as-much-liquor-as-russians-and-more-than-four-times-as-much-as-americans/ |access-date=9 February 2014 |newspaper=Quartz |date=2 February 2014 |author=Roberto A. Ferdman |author2=Ritchie King |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208074557/http://qz.com/171191/south-koreans-drink-twice-as-much-liquor-as-russians-and-more-than-four-times-as-much-as-americans/ |archive-date=8 February 2014}}</ref>

=== Art ===
{{Main|Korean art}}

[[File:청화백자진사채복숭아연적.jpg|upright|thumb|A blue and white porcelain peach-shaped water dropper from the Joseon dynasty in the 18th century]]

[[File:Chaekgeori, Samsung Museum of Art.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Chaekgeori]] Joseon dynasty in the 18th century]]

Korean art has been highly influenced by [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhism]] and [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]], which can be seen in the many traditional paintings, sculptures, ceramics and the performing arts.<ref>[http://www.asia-art.net/korean_paint.html Korean painting] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730065004/http://www.asia-art.net/korean_paint.html |date=30 July 2010 }}, Asia Art</ref> [[Korean pottery and porcelain]], such as Joseon's ''[[Joseon white porcelain|baekja]]'' and [[buncheong]], and [[Goryeo]]'s [[celadon]] are well known throughout the world.<ref>[http://www.armkor.com/korea-info3.htm Korean Pottery and Celadon], Asian Relocation Management Korea</ref> The [[Korean tea ceremony]], ''[[pansori]]'', ''[[talchum]],'' and ''[[buchaechum]]'' are also notable Korean performing arts.

Post-war modern Korean art started to flourish in the 1960s and 1970s, when South Korean artists took interest in geometrical shapes and intangible subjects. Establishing a harmony between [[man and nature]] was also a favorite of this time. Because of social instability, social issues appeared as main subjects in the 1980s. Art was influenced by various international events and exhibits in Korea, which brought more diversity.<ref>[http://www.apexart.org/conference/lee.htm Contemporary Korean Art in 1990s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911001355/https://apexart.org/conference/lee.htm |date=11 September 2018 }}, apexart, 1999</ref> The [[Olympic Park, Seoul|Olympic Sculpture Garden]] in 1988, the transposition of the 1993 edition of the [[Whitney Biennial]] to Seoul,<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20100326020003 Whitney Biennal to come to Seoul again], ''Seoul News'', 26 March 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.</ref> the creation of the [[Gwangju Biennale]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gb.or.kr/?mid=main_eng |title=Gwangju Biennale |publisher=Gwangju Biennale |access-date=29 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710205915/http://gb.or.kr/?mid=main_eng |archive-date=10 July 2010}}</ref> and the Korean Pavilion at the [[Venice Biennale]] in 1995<ref>[http://www.korean-pavilion.or.kr/07pavilion/kpEN.html Korean Pavilion] {{Webarchive|url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516133140/http://www.korean-pavilion.or.kr/07pavilion/kpEN.html |date=16 May 2016 }}, La Biennale di Venezia.</ref> were notable events.

=== Architecture ===
{{Main|Architecture of South Korea}}
{{See also|Korean architecture}}
[[File:Sungnyemun Gate, front, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|[[Namdaemun]]]]
Because of South Korea's tumultuous history, construction and destruction has been repeated endlessly, resulting in an interesting melange of architectural styles and designs.<ref>[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/arc/modern_period.htm Korean architecture], Asian Info Organization</ref>

Traditional Korean architecture is characterized by its harmony with nature. Ancient architects adopted the [[Bracket (architecture)|bracket system]] characterized by [[Thatching|thatched roofs]] and heated floors called ''[[ondol]]''.<ref>Chung Ah-young (31 March 2010). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/03/148_63378.html "Exhibit Focuses on Traditional Architecture"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220224530/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/03/148_63378.html |date=20 December 2014 }}, ''The Korea Times''; [http://park.org/Korea/Pavilions/PublicPavilions/KoreaImage/e-information/life/tradi-03.html Photos of traditional Korean shelters]</ref> People of the upper classes built bigger houses with elegantly curved tiled roofs and lifting eaves. Traditional architecture can be seen in the palaces and temples, preserved old houses called ''[[hanok]]'',<ref>[http://ata.hannam.ac.kr/korea/k-house1.htm List of traditional Korean houses], Asian Tradition in Architecture</ref> and special sites like [[Hahoe Folk Village]], [[Yangdong Folk Village]] and [[Korean Folk Village]]. Traditional architecture may also be seen at several of the [[List of World Heritage Sites in South Korea|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kr |title=UNESCO World Heritage: Republic of Korea |publisher=Unesco |access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Lotus Flower Bridge and Seven Treasure Bridge at Bulguksa in Gyeongju, Korea.jpg|thumb|[[Bulguksa]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]]]

Western architecture was first introduced at the end of the 19th century. Churches, offices for foreign legislation, schools and university buildings were built in new styles. With the annexation by Japan in 1910 the colonial regime intervened in Korea's architectural heritage, and [[Japanese architecture|Japanese-style]] modern architecture was imposed. Anti-Japanese sentiment and the Korean War led to the destruction of most buildings constructed during that time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990302080251/http://nongae.gsnu.ac.kr/%7Emirkoh/cob1.html Brief Review of Korea Modern Architecture], Prof. Park Kil-ryong (Kukmin University), modified by Architectural Design Lab, GSNU.</ref>

Modern Korean architecture entered a new phase of development during the post-Korean War reconstruction, incorporating modern architectural trends and styles. Stimulated by the economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s, active redevelopment saw new horizons in architectural design. In the aftermath of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, South Korea has witnessed a wide variation of styles in its architectural landscape with the opening up of the market to foreign architects.<ref>[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/arc/contemporary_architecture.htm Contemporary Korean architecture], Asian Info Organization</ref> Contemporary architectural efforts have attempted to balance the traditional philosophy of "harmony with nature" and the fast-paced urbanization that the country has been going through in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Korean buildings that captivate world|url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=9605&sec=10|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429055554/http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=9605&sec=10|archive-date=29 April 2011}}, ''Asia News'', 15 January 2010; Lee Hoo-nam (16 April 2009).[http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2903625 "Still, slow waters of Korean architecture"], ''Joongang Daily'' (Seoul). Retrieved 10 July 2010.</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Korean cuisine}}
[[File:Dolsot-bibimbap.jpg|thumb|[[Bibimbap]]]]
Korean cuisine, ''hanguk yori'' (한국요리; 韓國料理), or ''hansik'' (한식; 韓食), has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Ingredients and dishes vary by province. There are many significant regional dishes that have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. The [[Korean royal court cuisine]] once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. Meals consumed both by the royal family and ordinary citizens have been regulated by a unique culture of etiquette.

Korean cuisine is largely based on [[rice]], [[noodle]]s, [[tofu]], vegetables, fish and meats. Traditional meals are noted for the number of side dishes, ''[[banchan]]'' (반찬), which accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. ''[[Kimchi]]'' (김치), a fermented, usually spicy vegetable dish is commonly served at every meal and is one of the best known dishes. Korean cuisine usually involves heavy seasoning with [[sesame oil]], ''[[doenjang]]'' (된장, a type of [[fermented bean paste|fermented soybean paste]]), [[soy sauce]], salt, garlic, ginger, and ''[[gochujang]]'' (고추장, a hot pepper paste). Other well-known dishes are ''[[bulgogi]]'' (불고기), grilled marinated beef; ''[[gimbap]]'' (김밥); and ''[[tteokbokki]]'' (떡볶이), a spicy snack consisting of rice cake seasoned with gochujang or a spicy chili paste.

Soups are also a common part of a meal and are served as part of the main course rather than at the beginning or the end of the meal. Soups known as ''[[guk]]'' (국) are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables. Similar to guk, ''tang'' (탕; 湯) has less water and is more often served in restaurants. Another type is ''[[jjigae]]'' (찌개), a [[stew]] that is typically heavily seasoned with chili pepper and served boiling hot.

Popular [[Korean alcoholic drinks]] include ''[[Soju]]'', ''[[Makgeolli]]'' and ''[[Bokbunja ju]]''. Korea is unique among East Asian countries in its use of metal [[chopsticks]]. Metal chopsticks have been discovered in Goguryeo archaeological sites.<ref>[http://article.joins.com/news/blognews/article.asp?listid=12803159 재미있는 동양3국의 젓가락 문화비교] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140049/http://article.joins.com/news/blognews/article.asp?listid=12803159 |date=19 June 2018 }}. Article.joins.com (19 May 2012). Retrieved 5 October 2016.</ref>

=== Entertainment ===
{{Main|Cinema of South Korea|Korean drama|Korean wave|K-pop|Mass media in South Korea|Page 4 = |manhwa}}
[[File:President Joe Biden and BTS in the Oval Office of the White House, May 31, 2022.jpg|thumb|K-pop group [[BTS]] has emerged as one of the country's most successful Korean boy bands since their rise to international prominence during the latter half of the 2010s.]]

In addition to domestic consumption, South Korea has a thriving entertainment industry where various facets of South Korean entertainment, including television dramas, films, and popular music, have garnered international popularity and generated significant export revenues for the nation's economy. The cultural phenomenon known as ''[[Korean Wave|Hallyu]]'' or the "Korean Wave", has swept many countries across Continental and East Asia making South Korea a major soft power as an exporter of popular culture and entertainment, rivaling Western nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom.<ref name="Kwave">{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1646903.stm |title='Korean Wave' piracy hits music industry |work=[[BBC News]] |date=9 November 2001 |access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chow |first1=Kat |title=How The South Korean Government Made K-Pop A Thing |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/04/13/399414351/how-the-south-korean-government-made-k-pop-a-thing |website=NPR |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Lara Farrar |title='Korean Wave' of pop culture sweeps across Asia |language=en |work=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/12/31/korea.entertainment/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Harry |date=2 February 2016 |title=Surfing the Korean Wave: How K-pop is taking over the world {{!}} The McGill Tribune |work=The McGill Tribune |url=http://www.mcgilltribune.com/a-e/surfing-the-korean-wave-how-k-pop-kpop-is-taking-over-the-world-012858/ |url-status=dead |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200902/http://www.mcgilltribune.com/a-e/surfing-the-korean-wave-how-k-pop-kpop-is-taking-over-the-world-012858/ |archive-date=23 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/37300/Phuong_thesis_1.docx.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Korean Wave as Cultural Imperialism: A study of K-pop Reception in Vietnam |last=Nguyen Hoai Phuong |first=Duong |publisher=Leiden University}}</ref>

[[File:Blackpink Coachella 2023 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Blackpink]] has been one of the most popular K-pop girl groups in the world since the late 2010s.]]

Until the 1990s, [[Trot (music)|trot]] and traditional [[Traditional music of Korea|folk-based]] ballads dominated the South Korean popular music scene. The emergence of the pop group [[Seo Taiji and Boys]] in 1992 marked a turning point for South Korean popular music, also known as [[K-pop]]. Since the 1990s, the genre of K-pop has continuously engaged in a process of ongoing reinvention and modernization by assimilating various elements of popular musical genres and trends from across the world such as [[Pop music|Western popular music]], [[Experimental music|experimental]], [[jazz]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[Latin music (genre)|Latin]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Contemporary R&B|rhythm and blues]], [[electronic dance]], [[reggae]], [[country music|country]], [[Contemporary folk music|folk]], and [[rock music|rock]] on top of its uniquely [[traditional Korean music]] roots.<ref>[http://rki.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=10058 Seo Taiji], KBS World</ref> Though Western-style pop, hip hop, rhythm and blues, rock, folk, electronic dance oriented acts have become dominant in the contemporary South Korean popular music scene, trot still continues to be appreciated and enjoyed by older South Koreans. [[Korean idol|K-pop idols]] are well known across Continental Asia, have found fame in the Western World, and have generated millions of dollars in export revenue beyond the confines of the traditional [[Music industry of East Asia#Ranking|East Asian music market]]. Many K-pop acts have also established themselves by securing a strong global following using online social media platforms such as [[YouTube]]. K-pop first began to makes its mark outside of Continental and East Asia following the unexpected success of singer [[Psy]]'s international music sensation, "[[Gangnam Style]]", which topped global music charts in 2012.<!--Do not add a list of groups here without first suggesting it at the Talk page.-->

Since the success of the film ''[[Shiri (film)|Shiri]]'' in 1999, the [[Cinema of Korea|Korean film]] industry has grown substantially, garnering recognition both nation-wide and across the globe. Domestic films have a dominant share of the South Korean film market, partly because of the existence of government [[screen quotas]] requiring cinemas to show Korean films for at least 73 days of the year.<ref>[http://rki.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Ec_detail.htm?No=74142 "S.Korea's Screen Quota Hinders Market Access"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133256/http://rki.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Ec_detail.htm?No=74142 |date=3 July 2018 }}, KBS World, 16 July 2010.</ref> 2019's ''[[Parasite (2019 film)|Parasite]]'', directed by [[Bong Joon-ho]], became the [[List of highest-grossing films in South Korea|highest-grossing film in South Korea]] as well as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the United States-based [[Academy Awards]] [[92nd Academy Awards|that year]] amongst [[List of accolades received by Parasite|numerous other accolades]].

[[Television in South Korea|South Korean television shows]] have become popular outside of Korea. Television dramas, known as [[Korean drama|K-dramas]], have begun to find fame internationally. Many dramas tend to have a romantic focus. Historical dramas are also famous''.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koreandrama.org/ |title=List of Korean dramas |publisher=Koreandrama.org |date=4 June 2007 |access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:콘텐츠산업정보포털|url=https://portal.kocca.kr/portal/bbs/view/B0000204/1938980.do?searchCnd=&searchWrd=&cateTp1=&cateTp2=&useAt=&menuNo=200253&categorys=4&subcate=67&cateCode=0&type=&instNo=0&questionTp=&uf_Setting=&recovery=&option1=&option2=&year=&categoryCOM062=&categoryCOM063=&categoryCOM208=&categoryInst=&morePage=&delCode=&qtp=&pageIndex=1|access-date=27 March 2021|website=portal.kocca.kr|language=ko|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417205707/https://portal.kocca.kr/portal/bbs/view/B0000204/1938980.do?searchCnd=&searchWrd=&cateTp1=&cateTp2=&useAt=&menuNo=200253&categorys=4&subcate=67&cateCode=0&type=&instNo=0&questionTp=&uf_Setting=&recovery=&option1=&option2=&year=&categoryCOM062=&categoryCOM063=&categoryCOM208=&categoryInst=&morePage=&delCode=&qtp=&pageIndex=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2021 survival drama ''[[Squid Game]]'', created by [[Hwang Dong-hyuk]], received critical acclaim and widespread international attention upon its release, becoming [[Netflix]]'s most-watched series at launch and garnering a viewership of more than 142 million households during its first four weeks from launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Ji-won |date=26 September 2021 |title=Squid Game tops global Netflix chart |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/09/688_316008.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926170632/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/09/688_316008.html |archive-date=26 September 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |website=[[The Korea Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Henry |date=28 September 2021 |title=Squid Game: the hellish horrorshow taking the whole world by storm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/28/squid-game-the-hellish-horrorshow-taking-the-whole-world-by-storm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928102533/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/28/squid-game-the-hellish-horrorshow-taking-the-whole-world-by-storm |archive-date=28 September 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=19 October 2021 |title='Squid Game': Netflix Reveals A "Mind-Boggling" 142M Households Have Watched Korean Drama |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/squid-game-netflix-142m-households-1234858503/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keck |first=Catie |date=12 October 2021 |title=Netflix calls Squid Game its 'biggest ever series at launch' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/12/22723452/netflix-squid-game-biggest-ever-show-at-launch |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>

=== Holidays ===
{{Main|Public holidays in South Korea}}
The [[Korean New Year]], or "Seollal", is celebrated on the first day of the [[Korean calendar]]. Korean Independence Day falls on March 1 and commemorates the [[March 1st Movement]] of 1919. [[Memorial Day (South Korea)|Memorial Day]] is celebrated on June 6, and its purpose is to honor the men and women who died in South Korea's independence movement. [[Constitution Day (South Korea)|Constitution Day]] is on July 17, and it celebrates the promulgation of [[Constitution of South Korea|Constitution of the Republic of Korea]]. [[National Liberation Day of Korea|Liberation Day]], on August 15, celebrates Korea's liberation from the [[Empire of Japan]] in 1945.

Every 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Koreans celebrate the [[Chuseok|Midautumn Festival]], in which Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and eat a variety of traditional Korean foods. On October 1, Armed Forces Day is celebrated, honoring the military forces of South Korea. October 3 is [[Gaecheonjeol|National Foundation Day]]. [[Hangul Day]] on October 9 commemorates the invention of [[hangul]], the native alphabet of the [[Korean language]].

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in South Korea}}

[[File:View from COEX Tower.jpg|thumb|left|[[Seoul Sports Complex]], Korea's largest integrated sports center]]

The [[martial arts|martial art]] [[taekwondo]] originated in Korea. In the 1950s and 1960s, modern rules were standardized, with taekwondo becoming an official [[Olympic Games|Olympic sport]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtf.org/wtf_eng/site/about_taekwondo/present_day.html |title=Taekwondo |publisher=World Taekwondo Federation |date=29 November 2002 |access-date=10 August 2013 |archive-date=21 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121165001/http://www.wtf.org/wtf_eng/site/about_taekwondo/present_day.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other Korean martial arts include [[taekkyeon|Taekkyon]], [[hapkido]], [[Tang Soo Do]], [[Kuk Sool Won]], [[kumdo]] and [[subak]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kmaf.kr/ |title=Korea Martial Arts Federation |language=ko |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719031130/https://www.kmaf.kr/ |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>

[[Association football|Football]] has traditionally been regarded as the most popular sport in Korea, with [[baseball]] as the second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news1.kr/articles/?2139988 |script-title=ko:프로스포츠, 흥행 봄날 오나…야구·축구 인기몰이 중 |publisher=EBN |date=17 March 2015 |access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> Recent polling indicates that a majority, 41% of South Korean sports fans continue to self-identify as football fans, with baseball ranked 2nd at 25% of respondents. However, the polling did not indicate the extent to which respondents follow both sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=211&pagePos=1&selectYear=0&search=0&searchKeyword=%BD%BA%C6%F7%C3%F7 |script-title=ko:한국갤럽조사연구소 |publisher=Gallup.co.kr |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=10 August 2013}}</ref>

The [[South Korea national football team|national football team]] became the first team in the [[Asian Football Confederation]] to reach the [[FIFA World Cup]] semi-finals in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan. The [[Korea Republic national football team|Korea Republic national team]] (as it is known) has qualified for every World Cup since [[1986 FIFA World Cup|Mexico 1986]], and has broken out of the group stage in 2002, in [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]], when it was defeated by eventual semi-finalist [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] in the Round of 16, and in [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022]]. At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], South Korea won the bronze medal for football.

[[File:Busan Sajik Stadium 20080706.JPG|thumb|[[Sajik Baseball Stadium]] in [[Busan]]. Baseball is one of the most popular sports in South Korea.]]

Baseball was first introduced to Korea in 1905.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Korea, 11th ed|author=KOIS ([[Korea Overseas Information Service]])|location=Seoul|publisher=[[Hollym (publishing house)|Hollym]]|year=2003|isbn=978-1-56591-212-0|page=632}}</ref><ref>Trading Markets.com. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101226170841/http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/ncscf_s-korean-game-developer-ncsoft-interested-in-pro-baseball-1382602.html "S. Korean Game Developer NCsoft Interested in Pro Baseball"]. 21 December 2010. Accessed 26 December 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Min-sik, Yoon|title=Baseball comes roaring back to Seoul|work= [[The Korea Herald]]|date= 25 October 2013|access-date= 9 November 2013|url= http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20131025000840}}</ref> Recent years have been characterized by increasing attendance and ticket prices for professional baseball games.<ref>Kim Yang-hee (21 April 2011). [http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/474168.html "Professional baseball rising in popularity"]. ''The Hankyoreh''. Accessed 21 April 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.index.go.kr/potal/main/EachDtlPageDetail.do?idx_cd=1662 나라지표-프로스포츠 관중현황]. Index.go.kr (26 January 2016). Retrieved 20 June 2016.</ref> The [[Korea Professional Baseball]] league, a 10-team circuit, was established in 1982. The [[South Korea national baseball team|South Korea national team]] finished third in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] and second in the [[2009 World Baseball Classic|2009 tournament]]. The team's 2009 final game against Japan was widely watched in Korea, with a large screen at [[Gwanghwamun]] crossing in Seoul broadcasting the game live.<ref>Wakabayashi, Daisuke; Park Sungha (24 March 2009). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123786547697822121 "Japan beats South Korea to be Baseball Champions"]. ''The Wall Street Journal'' (New York). 20 November 2010.</ref> In the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], South Korea won the gold medal in baseball.<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/08/south-korea-tak.html "South Korea takes Olympics baseball gold"]. ''Los Angeles Times'' (blog). 23 August 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> Also in 1982, at the Baseball Worldcup, Korea won the gold medal. At the [[2010 Asian Games]], the Korean National Baseball team won the gold medal. Several Korean players have gone on to play in [[Major League Baseball]].

[[Basketball]] is a popular sport in the country as well. South Korea has traditionally had one of the top basketball teams in Asia and one of the continent's strongest basketball divisions. Seoul hosted the [[1967 ABC Championship|1967]] and [[1995 ABC Championship|1995 Asian Basketball Championship]]. The [[Korea national basketball team]] has won a record number of 23 medals at the event to date.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIBA Asia Competition Archives |work=Competition Archives |publisher=International Basketball Federation FIBA |date=26 September 2011 |url=http://www.fibaasia.net/Competition_Archives.aspx?id=2 |access-date=15 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807225139/http://www.fibaasia.net/Competition_Archives.aspx?id=2 |archive-date=7 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Korea Taekwondo Hanmadang 70.jpg|thumb|left|[[Taekwondo]], a Korean martial art and Olympic sport]]
South Korea hosted the [[Asian Games]] in 1986 (Seoul), 2002 (Busan), and 2014 (Incheon). It also hosted the Winter [[Universiade]] in 1997, the [[Asian Winter Games]] in 1999, and the Summer Universiade in 2003 and 2015. In 1988, South Korea hosted the [[1988 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics in Seoul]], coming fourth with 12 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals. South Korea regularly performs well in [[archery]], [[shooting]], [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], [[short track speed skating]], [[handball]], [[field hockey]], [[freestyle wrestling]], [[Greco-Roman wrestling]], [[baseball]], [[judo]], [[taekwondo]], [[speed skating]], [[figure skating]], and [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]]. The [[Seoul Olympic Museum]] is dedicated to the 1988 Summer Olympics.

[[Pyeongchang County|Pyeongchang]] hosted the [[2018 Winter Olympics]]. South Korea has won more medals in the [[Winter Olympics]] than any other Asian country, with a total of 45 (23 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze). At the [[2010 Winter Olympics]], South Korea ranked fifth in the overall medal rankings. South Korea is especially strong in [[short track speed skating]]. [[Speed skating]] and [[figure skating]] are also popular, and [[ice hockey]] is an emerging sport, with [[Anyang Halla]] winning their first ever [[Asia League Ice Hockey]] title in March 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alhockey.com/ |title=Asia League Ice Hockey official site |publisher=alhockey.com |access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref>

Seoul hosted a professional [[triathlon]] race, which is part of the [[International Triathlon Union]] (ITU) World Championship Series in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dextro Energy International Triathlon Union World championship Series Seoul |url=http://seoul.triathlon.org/ |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609041817/http://seoul.triathlon.org/ |archive-date=9 June 2010}}</ref> In 2011, the South Korean city of Daegu hosted the [[2011 World Championships in Athletics|2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 World Championships Results|url=http://www.supersport.com/athletics/content.aspx?id=100421|work=SuperSport|publisher=MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd|access-date=27 December 2013|year=2011}}</ref> In 2010, South Korea hosted its first [[Formula One]] race at the [[Korea International Circuit]] in [[Yeongam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix |url=http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/korea_907/circuit_history.html|work=Formula 1|publisher=Formula One World Championship Limited|access-date=27 December 2013|year=2003–2013}}</ref> The [[Korean Grand Prix]] was held from 2010 to 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25220593 |title=New Jersey, Mexico, and Korea dropped from 2014 F1 calendar |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |date=4 December 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

Domestic [[horse racing]] events are followed by South Koreans and [[LetsRun Park Seoul|Seoul Race Park]] in [[Gwacheon]], [[Gyeonggi Province]] is located closest to Seoul out of the country's three tracks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Horse Racing|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?recommCid=803724&folderId=19927|work=Korea Be Inspired|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=27 December 2013|year=2013|archive-date=28 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228003001/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?recommCid=803724&folderId=19927|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Competitive [[video game|video gaming]], also called [[Esports]], has become more popular in South Korea in recent years, particularly among young people.<ref>{{cite book|title=Korea's Online Gaming Empire|url=https://archive.org/details/koreasonlinegami00jind|url-access=limited|first=Dal Yong|last=Jin|author-link=Dal Yong Jin|year=2010|publisher=The MIT Press|page=[https://archive.org/details/koreasonlinegami00jind/page/n64 59]|isbn=978-0-262-01476-2}}</ref> The two most popular games are [[League of Legends]] and [[StarCraft]]. The gaming scene is managed by the [[Korean e-Sports Association]].