Before coming to Korea, there were plenty of cultural expectations I was told to have in mind. I think it is definitely in one's best interest to do research before traveling to another country. You have to realize that you are a guest in someone else's home, and you have to play by their rules.
Hiking and going outside is a huge part of Korean culture, and I don't think I fully understood the extent of this before I arrived. The reason why people hike so much is that large parts of Korea are mountainous, and people of all ages go trekking year round to different parks to escape the city and pollution.
One of the biggest things I heard from a lot of people before arriving in Korea was to be wary of older Korean women, known as "ajummas," on the street. Walking down any busy street in Seoul or making your way through any subway station, you have to be aware of your surroundings as ajummas are well-known for making their own path, even if that means shoving you out of the way. In the grand scheme of Korean culture, it makes sense that this behavior has been normalized. The rule of the land here is to respect your elders.
