What Is Your Korean Age?
Infographic Motion Graphic Design
Motion Design by. Muriel Choi
1. Concept
South Korea is the only country worldwide that uses 'counting age.' It uses the age calculation method, which adds one year to January 1st every year. In foreign countries, this is sometimes referred to as the “Korean Age.” (Now, 2023, Korea also uses International Age)
Using collage 2.5D using images, I would like to inform you of Korea's unique age calculation method. Overall, the main subjects are colored to stand out with handwriting, unlike images around main subjects with low saturation.
2. Script
Did you know that a Korean baby born on New Year’s Eve will already be two years old on the second day of his or her life? This is due to the unique age-calculating system used in Korea.
When a Korean baby is born, he or she is already one year old. When the New Year strikes, on January 1, every Korean turns one year older. That means that a Korean baby born on December 31 will turn two years old the next day, on January 1. Isn’t that amazing?
But how does this work? Let’s look at the Korean age calculation method. Add 1 to the current year, 2021, and subtract the year you were born. This is your Korean age. For example, this year is 2021, and if you were born in 1998, you would be 24 in Korea, but 22 in the U.S. It doesn’t be counted if your birthday isn’t passed.
In the early 1960s, Korea officially started using the Western-style calculating system. International age referred to as ‘mannai’, is mainly used as the legal age when it comes to courts, hospitals, and public offices. However, the Korean age is still used in people’s daily lives.
So, what is your Korean age?
