1. What is Korean Age?

Korean age is a traditional age-counting method used in Korea where a person is considered 1 year old at birth and gains a year every January 1st, regardless of their actual birth date. This differs from international age which starts at 0.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Korean age formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Current Year} \) — The current calendar year
• \( \text{Birth Year} \) — The year you were born

Explanation: In Korean age system, everyone is born as 1 year old, and everyone gains a year on New Year's Day.

3. Importance of Korean Age

Details: Korean age is used in many social contexts in Korea, including school admissions, legal drinking age, and military service. Understanding it is important for cultural interactions in Korea.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the current year and your birth year. Both must be valid (birth year ≤ current year). The calculator will show your Korean age.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is Korean age different?
A: It comes from traditional East Asian age counting where time spent in the womb counts as the first year of life.

Q2: Is Korean age still used officially?
A: Since 2023, South Korea has adopted international age for most official documents, but Korean age remains in social use.

Q3: What if my birthday hasn't happened yet this year?
A: Unlike international age, Korean age doesn't depend on your actual birthday - everyone gains a year on January 1st.

Q4: How does Korean age compare to international age?
A: Your Korean age is either 1 or 2 years older than your international age, depending on whether your birthday has passed.

Q5: Do I need to use Korean age when visiting Korea?
A: For official purposes, no. But understanding it helps with social interactions, especially with older generations.