Korean Age Explained: How It Works and What Changed in 2023
Why the same person can be 24, 25 or 26 in Korea — and which number is used today.
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Three ways to count age
| Name | How it works | Compared with international age |
|---|---|---|
| International age (만 나이) | 0 at birth, +1 on each birthday | Same |
| Year age (연 나이) | Current year − birth year | Same after your birthday, +1 before it |
| Counting age (세는 나이) | 1 at birth, +1 every January 1 | +1 after your birthday, +2 before it |
Enter a birth date in the Korean Age Calculator to see all three at once.
What changed in June 2023
From June 28, 2023, amendments to Korea's Framework Act on Administration and Civil Act made international age the default for laws, contracts and official documents unless a law says otherwise. A contract that says "60 or older" means 60 in international age.
The law doesn't govern everyday conversation, so plenty of Koreans still use counting age socially.
Where year age is still used
- Buying alcohol and tobacco (Juvenile Protection Act): year age 19 — from January 1 of the year you turn 19
- Military service eligibility (Military Service Act)
- Starting elementary school: children born in the same year start together
That's why someone can be 18 internationally yet legally buy a drink in Korea.
Why K-pop idols' ages look different
Fan sites and older profiles often list Korean (counting) age, while international media use international age. An idol born in November 2003 was "23" in Korean counting age for most of 2025 but 21 internationally until their birthday. When in doubt, ask for the birth date and calculate.
Travelling or working in Korea
- Official forms, contracts, insurance and hospitals use international age.
- Bars check year age (born 2007 or earlier can drink in 2026).
- Someone may still say "Korean age" in conversation — now you know why.
Counting down to a birthday or trip? Try the Day Counter.
Tools used in this guide
FAQ
Did everyone in Korea become younger?
Only on paper compared with counting age — by one or two years. Most legal ages were already international age, so rights and duties didn't change much.
What about people born on February 29?
In non-leap years, they're treated as a year older once February 28 has passed, from March 1.
What should I say when asked my age in Korea?
International age is the official standard now, so that's always correct.