No say in naming your child
Something that’s quite strange in South Korea, at least by western standards, is that many parents don’t have a say in their children’s names. It’s all based on saju, a practice that places heavy emphasis on the destiny of a person. Some parents will consult with shamans to find an appropriate name for their child based on birthdates and gender.
There’s a limitless number of first names that a shaman can choose, unlike surnames in South Korea. After doing his or her magic, the shaman will write the child’s name in both Hangul and in Chinese letters. Of course, the parents don’t have to use this name for their child, but more often than not, they do.