Why South Korean Roads Are Filled with Neutral-Colored Cars

Why are there so many monochrome vehicles on South Korean roads?
Foreigners are often surprised
Why do you prefer monochrome vehicles?

Foreigners have often been surprised to see monochrome vehicles such as white, silver, and black on South Korean roads and parking lots. Of course, the preference for monochrome vehicles is personal, but they are particularly noticeable only in South Korea.

It is said that vehicles of various colors, such as blue and red, are often seen driving overseas. The atmosphere is said to be different from that of South Korea. So, why are there so many monochrome vehicles among South Korean vehicles? Also, why do South Korean consumers prefer monochrome vehicles?

Confucian culture in South Korea versus individualistic tendencies in foreign countries

Another reason is that things that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as South Korea’s unique culture and national atmosphere, are reflected in vehicle color preferences. The national atmosphere formed based on Confucianism, which does not prefer to stand out or stand out, also influences the choice of vehicle.

On the other hand, in the case of foreign countries, compared to South Korea, there are many countries with a more liberal atmosphere and a strong individualistic tendency that does not interfere with or interfere with individual choices. Therefore, when it comes to vehicle color selection, there seem to be more choices than in South Korea.

Practical reasons, such as preserving the resale value
Monochrome cars are relatively resistant to pollution

There are also practical reasons why monochrome vehicles are preferred in South Korea. When buying or selling used cars, customers tend to purchase a car with few likes or dislikes to preserve resale value. Vehicles with unique colors are not popular in the used vehicle market, and they have difficulty selling them.

Vehicle maintenance, according to South Korea’s climate, also appears to affect vehicle color. Specifically, in South Korea, where there is a lot of snow, rain, and fine dust, monochrome vehicles appear to be relatively less polluted, making them easier to maintain.

Recent changes are noticeable
Expressing individuality through vehicle color

However, recently, vehicles with more diverse colors than before have appeared on South Korean roads. In particular, younger generations who want to express their individuality tend to prefer vehicles that are not monochrome. The vehicle color combination has evolved a lot compared to before, creating a luxurious and flashy feel rather than the old-fashioned monochrome paint.

The abundance of monochrome vehicles can reflect South Korea’s Confucian culture, which is reluctant to stand out. However, in the future, we hope that a day will come when people in South Korea will not care too much about what others think when choosing the color of their favorite vehicle, and individual individuality and choice will be considered more critical.