Why Koreans Always Look So Busy: The Truth Behind the “Palli-Palli” Culture
If you have ever landed at Incheon Airport and taken the subway into Seoul, you’ve probably noticed something immediately.
People here walk fast. Like, really fast.
They power-walk through stations, they run for elevators, and they tap their feet impatiently if the automatic door takes more than two seconds to open. If you stop to check Google Maps on a sidewalk in Gangnam, you become a human traffic obstruction.
To a foreigner, it might look like everyone is late for a life-or-death meeting. But they aren’t. They are just living the Korean way.
This phenomenon is known as “Palli-Palli” (빨리빨리) culture, which literally translates to “Hurry, Hurry.” It is the invisible engine that runs South Korea. But why is everyone so obsessed with speed? Is it the caffeine? The competition? Or something deeper?
Here is a deep dive into why Koreans always look so busy—and why you might start acting the same way after living here for a month.
1. The “Miracle on the Han River” Legacy
To understand the speed, you have to look at history. In the 1950s, after the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest nations on earth. Fast forward just 40 years, and it became a top global economy. How? By working faster and harder than everyone else. The older generation rebuilt the country with a mindset of sheer urgency. This “Palli-Palli” spirit was necessary for survival. Even though the country is rich now, that DNA of urgency has been passed down. Speed isn’t just a habit; it’s a form of patriotism and survival.
2. The Competition is Fierce
Korea is a small country with a lot of people (especially in Seoul). The competition for good grades, good universities, and good jobs is incredibly intense. From a young age, Koreans are taught that if you slow down, you fall behind.
The Hagwon Hustle: Kids rush from school to piano lessons to math tutors until 10 PM.
The Job Market: Adults rush to get certifications and learn English. Looking “busy” is often equated with being productive and successful. If you are walking slowly or doing nothing, society might judge you as lazy.
3. The “Elevator Close Button” Syndrome
Here is a fun experiment: Watch a Korean get into an elevator. Their finger will hover over the “Close” button before they even fully step inside. Koreans value efficiency above almost anything else. Wasting time—even 3 seconds—is physically painful. This is why Korean internet is the fastest in the world, why delivery food arrives in 20 minutes, and why you can get a passport renewed in a few days. The society is optimized for speed. Once you get used to this convenience, the rest of the world feels frustratingly slow.
4. The Commute from Hell
Sometimes, people look busy because they just want to go home. The average commute in Seoul is one of the longest in the OECD. When you see someone sprinting for a subway train even though the next one comes in 3 minutes, it’s not because they are crazy. It’s because missing that train might mean missing the transfer to the bus, which adds 20 minutes to their journey home. The sheer density of Seoul forces people to move with purpose. It’s a survival mechanism to navigate the crowds.
5. “Busy” is a Status Symbol
In some cultures, saying “I spent all weekend doing nothing” is a brag. In Korea, saying “I was so busy” is the flex. Being busy implies that you are important, employed, and in demand. It is a social signal. Even in their leisure time, Koreans are “aggressively” relaxing—hiking mountains, camping with full gear, or cafe-hopping with a schedule. The concept of purely “chilling” is a bit foreign to the Palli-Palli lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
So, if a Korean bumps into you on the street and keeps walking, don’t take it personally. They aren’t being rude; they are just operating on a different operating system.
The “Palli-Palli” culture is intense, yes. But it’s also the reason why you can get fried chicken delivered to a park bench at 1 AM. And honestly? That’s a trade-off I’m willing to accept.