The primary difference between Korean age and normal (or international) age is that Korean age is typically one or two years older than the international age.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding the Age Systems
- International Age (Normal Age): This is the system most of the world uses. A person's age is calculated by the number of years they have lived. A person's age increases by one on their birthday.
- Korean Age: This system has a few key differences:
- At Birth, You are Already One Year Old: In Korea, a baby is considered to be one year old at birth, not zero.
- Age Increases on January 1st: Instead of adding a year on their birthday, everyone's age increases on January 1st of each year, regardless of their actual birth date.
- Result: You are Often 1 or 2 Years Older: This results in Korean age being consistently one or two years older than international age.
Comparing the Two Systems
| Feature | International Age (Normal Age) | Korean Age |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Age | 0 years old at birth | 1 year old at birth |
| Age Increase | Increases by 1 on your birthday | Increases by 1 on January 1st |
| Typical Result | Usually less than Korean age | Usually one or two years older than international age |
Example:
According to the reference:
- A person born on July 1, 1998 is 24 years old and will turn 25 on July 1 of this year using the international system.
- However, using the Korean age system, that same person is already 26 on June 28, 2023.
Key Takeaway
As you can see, Korean age is always one or two years more than an individual's international age. This is primarily due to the difference in how age is calculated at birth and when the age increases each year.
