In South Korea, age is calculated a bit differently from what most of the world is accustomed to. This traditional Korean age system has its own rules that might be surprising to those unfamiliar with the practice. 

Korean age is based on the idea that a person gains a year not only on their birthday but also when the new year begins. Thus, at the moment of birth, a baby is considered to be one year old. This reflects the time spent in the womb, akin to the concept of being "one year old at birth" rather than gaining years strictly after completing them post-birth.

As the calendar flips to January 1st, all Koreans celebrate gaining another year to their age, regardless of whether their birthday has occurred yet in the new year. This means that if you were born on December 31st, you'd be considered two years old the very next day. Consequently, Korean age can be one or two years older than your international age, which is based on the completion of full years since your birth.

The reason behind this age-counting system isn't just cultural, but also has historical roots. It is derived from East Asian age reckoning, which was widely used throughout East Asia. While most other countries have phased out this system in favor of the international standard, South Korea continues to use both the traditional Korean age and international age systems.

For practical purposes, such as legal proceedings, international age is used. However, socially and culturally, Korean age is commonly referenced. This dual system can often cause confusion, especially among foreigners and even young Koreans who may find themselves juggling two different ages depending on the context.

To accurately determine their Korean age you can use an online korrean age calculator. This tool provides a quick and easy way to convert your international age into Korean age without needing to manually calculate the changes based on the calendar year and your birthday.

Understanding Korean age is more than a quirky mathematical exercise; it's a gateway into how birthdays and age-related norms are observed differently across cultures. As global interactions increase, grasping these nuances can enhance interpersonal understanding and communication across cultural boundaries. Whether you're planning a trip to Korea, doing business with Korean companies, or simply exploring cultural differences, knowing about the Korean age system can provide valuable insights into Korean societal norms.