The Art of the Korean Intro

In many Western cultures, asking someone's age or hometown in the first minute of meeting them can feel intrusive—like an interrogation. In Korea, it is the opposite. It is an act of care.

When a Korean person asks, "What year were you born?" or "Where is your hometown?", they aren't trying to steal your identity. They are trying to find connection points to turn you from a stranger (Nam) into a member of the group (Uri).

Think of a Korean self-introduction not as a "speech," but as broadcasting your coordinates. You are pinging your location on the social map so others can find a path to you.

The Three Pillars of Connection

To build a connection, you generally need to triangulate your position using three specific data points: Age, Geography, and Affiliation.

1. The Vertical Axis: Age (Nai)

In Korea, age isn't just a number; it is the primary organizer of society. It determines the "vertical" relationship: Who looks up to whom?

• Why we share it: You cannot speak Korean correctly without knowing age. The listener is stressed until they know if they should use high honorifics (Jondaemal) or if they can eventually relax into casual speech (Banmal).

• How to share it: Instead of just saying "I am 25," share your birth year. This avoids confusion with the "Korean Age" vs. "International Age" calculation.

• Script: "I was born in the year [Year]. So I think I might be the maknae (youngest) here!"

• The Connection: If you find someone born in the same year, you become Dong-gap (same-age friends). This is a "Golden Ticket" to instant friendship—you can often drop formal language immediately (with permission).

2. The Horizontal Axis: Geography (Jiyeon)

This is the concept of regional ties. Korea is small, but regional identity is strong.

• Why we share it: Finding someone from your hometown (Gohyang) creates an instant, almost family-like bond. Even if you are foreign, sharing your home region invites curiosity and comparison.

• How to share it: Don't just name the city; give it context.

• Script (If you are foreign): "I am from [City/Country]. It is a harbor city, very similar to Busan!"

• The Connection: By comparing your home to a Korean region (e.g., "It's cold like Gangwon-do"), you bridge the gap between "foreign" and "familiar."

3. The Network Axis: School/Affiliation (Hakyeon)

In professional settings, Hakyeon (school ties) is arguably the strongest currency.

• Why we share it: If you went to the same university or even the same language institute, you are Seonbae (Senior) and Hubae (Junior). This creates an immediate obligation: the Senior must look after the Junior, and the Junior must support the Senior.

• How to share it: Mention your current status clearly.

• Script: "I am currently studying at [University Name]. I am in my third year."

• The Connection: Watch people light up if they attended the same school. You have just activated a support network that existed before you even walked in the room.

How to Weave This Into a "Connection" Intro

Here is how you combine these dry facts into a warm, relational introduction designed to find common ground.

Scenario: First meeting at a casual dinner/drinks gathering

Step 1: The Name & The Label (Age)

Korean: "안녕하세요! 저는 [Name]입니다. 98년생입니다." 

English: "Hello! I am [Name]. I was born in 1998."

Cultural Note: Koreans typically refer to their birth year by just the last two digits + nyeonsaeng (year-born).

• 1990 = Gu-gong-nyeonsaeng (90년생)

• 2002 = Gong-i-nyeonsaeng (02년생)

Step 2: The Geography (Jiyeon)

Korean: "제 고향은 [City/Country]입니다. 날씨도 덥고 음식이 매워서 '[Your Country]의 대구'라고들 해요."

English: "I am originally from [Your Home City]. People say it’s the 'Daegu of [Your Country]' because it’s very hot and the food is spicy."

Cultural Note: Using the phrase "...ragodeul haeyo" ("people say that...") is a great way to soften a comparison. It sounds more objective and less like a strong personal opinion.

Step 3: The Affiliation (Hakyeon) & The Humble Close

Korean: "현재 [University/Institute]에서 공부하고 있습니다. 아직 아는 분이 많이 없어서 오늘 좋은 인연 만들고 싶습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다!" 

English: "I am currently studying at [University/Institute]. I don't know many people here yet, so I am hoping to make good connections today. Please look after me!"

Cultural Note: I used the word Inyeon (인연) for "connections." This is a culturally deep word implying fate or a destined relationship. It sounds much warmer and more meaningful than simply saying "make friends" (chingu mandeulda) or "network."

Why This Works

By offering these three specific "hooks," you give everyone in the room a chance to grab onto something.

• The person born in 1998 thinks: "Yes! A friend!"

• The person from Daegu thinks: "Spicy food? I need to ask them about that."

• The alumni from your school thinks: "That’s my Hubae (junior). I should buy them a drink."

You haven't just introduced yourself; you have embedded yourself into their social web.