You finally popped the question on top of the N-Seoul Tower, and she said yes! Oh happy day! Before starting with the wedding planning and preparations, there are several things you need to know.

Parental consent is required, even if you’re both of age.

One stark difference between Korean and western culture is the need for parental consent. This is not a legal obligation per se, but more of a moral obligation. Family is highly valued in Korea and since you are marrying a Korean, it would be in the best interest of all involved that you secure the parental blessing. This not only gets you on the good side of your in-laws, this is also will ensure smooth sailing as you enter your married life.

You are marrying the whole family, not just her.

As mentioned above, family is very important in Korean culture. In the olden days, marriages are not just a union of love, most of the time, marriages are arranged to facilitate the merging of two families. In essence, despite the modernization of Korean culture, marriages are still a union of two families. This meaning, you are not only marrying a Korean lady, you are marrying a whole Korean family.

Who picks up the tab?

In western culture, it is customary for the bride’s family to pay for the wedding, whilst the groom’s family takes care of the engagement party. This not a strict rule, although it is the trend. In modern times though, the couple opts to pay for their own wedding. In Korea, it is customary for the parents to split the bill 50-50 although sometimes, the richer party offers to shoulder more.

She keeps her maiden name.

Unlike in western cultures where the bride takes on her husband’s name or family name, in Korea, the ladies keep the her original family name, or her maiden name. Despite marrying into the husband’s family, she keeps her daddy’s last name. This is one unique thing when marrying a Korean woman.

You will be expected to produce offspring. Soon.

Considering that family is very important, the propagation of the line should commence as soon as possible. You can expect your in-laws to start egging your new wife to produce kids as early as two weeks after the wedding. In the west, some couples want to wait for a couple of years before starting a family and there are even couples who opt not to have kids. In Korea, you will need to produce your in-laws grandkids pronto, so be prepared.

Consider the possibility of living with your in-laws.

Western culture widely accepts the idea of nursing homes and retirement villages where aging parents move to when they get old. Not so in Asia, and Korea is no exception. Asia in general believes in paying gratitude to your parents sacrifices and hardships for you by taking care of them in old age. Especially if you are marrying the eldest girl of the family, there is a big possibility that your aging in-laws will be living with you. Provided you decide to settle down in Korea.