I was raised with these 7 Korean sayings that I took for granted. But as I transitioned into adulthood, I started to apprehend the profound wisdom hidden in these timeless phrases.

Growing up, these proverbs were just part of my daily life, almost cliché. But as I got older, navigating the tumultuous waters of adulthood, their relevance became glaringly apparent.

These Korean sayings are more than just words; they are life lessons wrapped in metaphors and delivered as advice. Looking back, I now see the brilliance that I overlooked as a child.

In this piece, I’ll share the seven Korean sayings that didn’t truly resonate with me until adulthood, hoping you too might gain some wisdom from them.

1) Don’t spatula your own face

“너의 얼굴을 주걱하지 마라” or “Don’t spatula your own face” goes beyond the kitchen and into the realm of self-care.

As a child, this saying often left me perplexed. Why would anyone want to spatula their own face? Was it a warning against cooking adventures gone wrong? Or, a misguided beauty tip involving some unconventional exfoliation?

It was only as an adult that I came to understand the real meaning – Don’t hurt yourself while trying to gain a momentary advantage, or in simpler terms, “Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.”

Careers, relationships, health – there are countless arenas of life where this reminder could be helpful. sometimes, the urgent need to gain instant gratification can often lead us to make decisions that hurt us in the long run.

So, whenever you are faced with such a situation, remember, “Don’t spatula your own face.” Not only will it save you a good amount of regret, but it might even garner a few chuckles when you share this unique piece of Korean wisdom.

2) Water flows to a lower spot

“물은 아래로 흐른다” or “Water flows to a lower spot,” is a saying that stuck with me throughout my childhood. Still, I didn’t grasp its full depth until much later.

This proverb essentially communicates that things take the path of least resistance, just like water flowing to the lowest point.

But it’s only recently that I’ve come to appreciate how it underscores my personal interactions and life choices.

In my early career, I was ambitious and always on the chase for the next big thing. I switched jobs frequently, thinking that this was the quickest route to success. Each job change was a struggle, filled with stress and a steep learning curve.

It was my mother who reminded me of this saying. I realized I was not allowing my career to naturally evolve; instead, I was forcing it uphill.

I took her advice, focused on one job, delved deep into my role, and success flowed effortlessly, just like water to a lower spot. With patience and perseverance, I found my rhythm, my low spot, if you will.

Remembering this saying now helps me remain patient, understanding that things will naturally fall into place over time, just like water always finds its path.

3) Starting is half the task

“시작이 반이다” or “Starting is half the task,” is a Korean adage that encourages one to take that first, often daunting, step towards their goal.

This phrase is strikingly similar to an ancient Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The sentiment spread across different Asian cultures, which all highlight the significant impact of simply starting something.

Upon adulthood, I discovered Google’s application of this principle. Google employees are encouraged to dedicate a portion of their time to initiate any innovative idea, emphasizing the importance of starting without being afraid of the end result. This Google’s policy spawned some of its most successful services like Gmail, AdSense, and Google News.

This adage is a fascinating reminder to embrace new beginnings and to understand that the very act of starting something brings us halfway to the finish line.

4) If you chase two rabbits, you’ll catch neither

“두 토끼를 쫓으면 한 마리도 못 잡는다” or “If you chase two rabbits, you’ll catch neither”. This Korean proverb is a timeless reminder of focus and intentionality when striving for success.

Growing up, I didn’t give it too much thought. But, as I navigated adult life with its endless responsibilities and ambitions, the real meaning started to sync in.

Today, we live in a multi-tasking world, attempting to accomplish as much as we can in as little time. And, let’s admit it, we often find ourselves “chasing two rabbits”.

Whether it’s trying to reply to emails while being in a meeting or juggling multiple long-term projects at once, we run the risk of not catching any rabbit at all. This Korean wisdom nudges us to single-task and dedicate whole-hearted focus on one task before moving on to the next.

So next time you find yourself catching more than one proverbial rabbit, remember this Korean saying and the importance of focus.

5) Even monkeys fall from trees

“원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다” or “Even monkeys fall from trees,” is a Korean idiom that underscores the human tendency to make mistakes, regardless of skill or expertise.

This adage didn’t make much sense to me until I slipped up in the very thing I prided myself on, something I was considered an expert in. I had secured a role with a reputable company as a graphic designer. One project required extensive work, and I confidently took the job, sure I’d deliver flawlessly.

Unfortunately, I missed a few tiny, yet crucial, details. The project feedback wasn’t positive, and it was a virtue-restoring blow to my ego. It was then when this saying echoed in my ears like a soothing balm for my bruised pride.

It highlighted that even experts can falter, a valuable lesson in humility that day. There will be times when you’ll make trivial mistakes or fail disastrously – but guess what? It’s alright. Remember our mischievous little monkey, because there’s always a tree we could fall from. And that simply makes us human.

6) A turtle travels only when it sticks its neck out

“거북이는 목을 내밀어야 전진한다” or “A turtle travels only when it sticks its neck out,” is a Korean proverb that encapsulates the concept of taking risks.

We’ve all heard the common saying, “No risk, no reward,” and this Korean proverb adds an amusing twist to that life lesson. Throughout history, risk-takers have pushed boundaries, changed the world, and achieved great things.

However, the fear of potential failure often holds us back, keeping us stuck in our comfort zones. The turtle, hidden within its sturdy shell, is safe, yet static. It moves only when it dares to stick its neck out, expose itself, and risk danger.

Similarly, venturing out of our comfort zone may feel unprotected and vulnerable, but it is often the gateway to growth and progress. This courageous little turtle can remind us to take risks, make strides, and keep moving forward, no matter the pace.

7) Even if the sky falls, there is a hole through which to escape

“하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있다” or “Even if the sky falls, there is a hole through which to escape,” is a Korean saying that resonates with an unwary sense of optimism.

It teaches that no matter how dire or catastrophic a situation may be, there is always a way out. A beacon of hope in trying times, it urges you to not give up, even when your world seems to be collapsing.

In the face of adversity or an overwhelming situation, remember that there is always a hole to escape, even when the sky is falling. Keep your eyes open for it, and when you find it, trust in your innate resilience to pull through. As you continue your journey through life, keep this wisdom close and let it be your guiding light, illuminating your paths even on the darkest days.

Endnote: There’s wisdom in simplicity

As we navigate the labyrinth of life, we often find wisdom in the most unassuming places. And often, it is the simplest of sayings that can help unlock profound understanding.

Such were these 7 Korean sayings, handed down over generations. They have been imprinted in our memories through the gentle repetition of our elders, seemingly simple, and almost overlooked. But, these pearls of wisdom within the Korean culture hold a depth that’s universally relevant.

As we’ve uncovered, these sayings are far from just a nostalgic echo from our childhood, an amusing memory that brings a smile to our face. They are deeply intertwined in our perceptions, influencing how we view and deal with the world around us.

Through them, we not only gain a unique perspective but also powerful guiding principles that lead us down the path of resilience, humility, patience, risk-taking, focus and optimism. Revealing the grandeur of these insights, these time-tested Korean proverbs are just a testament to the age-old wisdom that continues to blossom in every walk of our life.

So, here’s to the journey of unraveling the powerful teachings hiding in plain sight, masked as simple saying and turning them into the beacon of guidance in adulthood.