https://www.reddit.com/r/southkorea/comments/1ibt6kp/keunjeol_question/
created by Longjumping_Sea_1325 on 28/01/2025 at 04:08 UTC
5 upvotes, 4 top-level comments (showing 4)
Hey all. I will be meeting my Korean-American wife’s family for the first time. We will be visiting Korea and her eldest male relatives (Uncles) will be meeting us at the airport.
I would like to show the upmost respect for her uncles. Will it be appropriate for me to do the keunjeol at the airport when I first meet them, or would this be weird?
Thank you.
Comment by OkTry692 at 30/01/2025 at 01:51 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Keunjol is what you do during Saebae, a holiday family ceremony to respect the elders. It’s usually done indoors and you’ll be noticed to do Keunjol if you have to. Doing Keunjol when first meeting him is okay in principle, but for Koreans it is not a thing done outdoors (especially in the airport)
Comment by CarpenterJolly3504 at 31/01/2025 at 03:36 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
All the way down? Forehead to the floor? You can try that but they’ll probably laugh it off
Comment by Fliss_Floss at 31/01/2025 at 23:36 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yeaaaaah, that's a bit much. Let alone the concept of doing it on a dirty airport floor will add that issue in everyone's minds.
When you see them, put your bags down and do a super deep bow while standing. Look for some videos to see what I mean.
If I saw that at the airport there would be a lot of shocked people, some people cringing and also a bit of "wow, he just did that..ok" with a bit of understanding thrown in. It's pretty severe to just whip out.
Comment by SeoulRacer at 04/02/2025 at 02:36 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Kudos for trying to express your respect to your wife's family. That said, a full bow on your knees and forehead is not appropriate to do in public, and should be done indoors once everyone has settled in.
Also, personally, a full knee bow expresses a very deep level of respect that only comes with establishing jung with them. You have never met them before, so I don't believe it's appropriate to do this until you've built up a good relationship.
My suggestion is to do a standing deep 90 degree bow when you first meet them, and shake their hand with two hands.