4 Surprising Habits of Korean Office Culture for Foreigners

For many foreigners, the biggest culture shock at a Korean company isn’t the hierarchy or even the long meetings. Instead, it’s the small everyday habits that most Korean employees don’t even think twice about.

Whether it’s seeing coworkers brush their teeth together after lunch or receiving cute emojis in a professional work chat, daily office life in South Korea often feels very different from what many international employees are used to.

While these customs may seem unusual at first, many foreigners say they eventually become part of their own routine after spending time in a Korean workplace. Here are four office habits that regularly surprise first-time foreign employees.

1. Almost Everyone Brushes Their Teeth After Lunch

One of the first things many newcomers notice is what happens after lunch. Instead of returning directly to their desks, many employees grab a toothbrush and head to the restroom together. For foreigners who come from countries where brushing after breakfast and before bed is the norm, the sight can be unexpected.

In countries such as Iran, for example, brushing after lunch at work isn’t common. Seeing an entire office walk toward the restroom carrying toothbrushes can leave first-time employees wondering what’s happening. In South Korea, however, brushing after lunch has long been encouraged as part of good oral hygiene. Many Koreans develop the habit during elementary school, where students are often taught to brush after school lunches, and many continue the routine throughout adulthood.

Research has found that about 51.6% of Korean office workers brush their teeth after lunch, with the rate climbing to 66.4% among office employees. Other studies have also linked post-lunch brushing to a lower risk of periodontal disease.

It’s such a common habit that many employees permanently keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, or dental floss in their office desk or locker.

2. Coffee Isn’t Just a Drink—It’s Part of Office Life

Another surprise for many foreign workers is Korea’s coffee culture. Coffee isn’t simply something people drink in the morning. Many office workers grab coffee before work, after lunch, and again during the afternoon. A quick coffee run with coworkers has become part of the workday itself.

Office buildings often have cafés on the ground floor, while many companies provide coffee machines in shared kitchens or break rooms. South Korea also ranks among the countries with the highest coffee consumption per capita, making coffee an important part of both productivity and workplace socializing. Many foreigners jokingly say that coffee not electricity is what keeps Korean offices running.

3. Leaving Work Can Be More Complicated Than Watching the Clock

Foreign employees are often surprised to discover that finishing work doesn’t always mean immediately leaving the office. Although South Korea has made significant progress toward work-life balance through the 52-hour workweek system, many workplaces still place strong value on teamwork and group dynamics.

In some companies, employees naturally pay attention to whether teammates or managers are still working before packing up for the day. This concept, often described by the Korean word nunchi, refers to reading the atmosphere and being aware of the people around you. For newcomers, it can feel unusual compared to workplaces where employees simply leave once their own tasks are complete.

At the same time, many foreigners also note that this team-oriented mindset often creates strong collaboration and a willingness to help coworkers finish shared projects.

4. Cute Emojis Somehow Belong in Professional Conversations

Perhaps one of the most unexpected parts of Korean office communication is the frequent use of emojis. In many countries, business conversations especially over email or messaging platforms tend to remain formal and text-based. Korean workplaces, however, often use smiling faces, thumbs-up icons, hearts, and animated stickers in professional chats.

At first, some foreign employees wonder why workplace conversations include cartoon characters and cheerful reactions. Over time, many realize these emojis serve a practical purpose. Rather than making conversations childish, they soften messages, reduce misunderstandings, and help maintain friendly communication among coworkers.

Even a simple “I checked it” can sound noticeably warmer when accompanied by an emoji.

The Little Things That Define Korean Office Culture

When foreigners first start working in Korea, these everyday moments often stand out more than company policies or organizational charts.

Brushing teeth after lunch, grabbing coffee with coworkers, paying attention to team dynamics before leaving work, and using emojis in office chats all reflect broader aspects of Korean workplace culture—including teamwork, communication, personal hygiene, and consideration for others.

What begins as culture shock often becomes routine.

Many foreign employees who once found these habits surprising eventually catch themselves keeping a toothbrush in their desk, joining afternoon coffee breaks, and even adding emojis to work messages without thinking twice.

Sometimes, understanding Korean work culture isn’t about learning the rules. It’s about noticing the small daily habits that quietly shape office life.