'One of the Cleanest Countries': Foreign Media Highlights Korea's Hygiene Culture... "Shoes Off Is Basic, Robot Vacuums Are Everyday"

Combination of Advanced Appliances and Lifestyle Habits
Spotlight on Everyday "Cleanliness System"
Volume-Based Waste Bags, Recycling, and Indoor Shoe Culture

A British media outlet has spotlighted Korea's clean lifestyle culture, even using the phrase "K-Hygiene" to describe the country’s advanced hygiene system.

On April 8 (local time), the Daily Mail introduced Korea as "one of the cleanest countries in the world," highlighting the country’s comprehensive hygiene management practices and cutting-edge cleaning appliance culture. The outlet evaluated Korea as a nation equipped with a "cleanliness system," where technology and everyday habits are seamlessly integrated, going beyond simple environmental maintenance.

In Korea, various cleaning appliances are used, including robot vacuum cleaners, smart trash bins with automatic sealing, devices that sterilize knives and cutting boards with ultraviolet (UV) light, shoe deodorizing and sterilizing systems, and wireless dust mite removal devices. TikTok

According to the report, Korean households routinely use a variety of hygiene appliances, including robot vacuum cleaners, smart trash bins with automatic sealing, ultraviolet (UV) sterilizers, shoe deodorizing systems, and wireless dust mite removal devices. Notably, these products are widely adopted not only by certain social classes but also in ordinary homes, which was highlighted as an impressive aspect.

Foreign media have analyzed that Korea’s cleanliness is not limited to street environments but is deeply rooted in everyday life. Thorough waste separation systems, strict management of food waste, the custom of removing shoes indoors, and the maintenance of hygiene in public spaces all work together to shape the image of Korea as a "clean nation."

These characteristics are also spreading on social media. The hashtag "Korean cleaning" is used to share Korean cleaning culture and various home appliances, attracting the attention of global users. Numerous videos have been posted by foreign influencers visiting Korea, expressing surprise at the smart home environment and clothing care systems (stylers), among others.

These characteristics are also spreading on social media. The Korean cleaning culture and various home appliances are being shared along with the hashtag "Korean cleaning," attracting the attention of global users. The photo shows an automatic sealing trash can and a fruit and vegetable sterilizer. TikTok

The media also pointed out that Korea’s hygiene culture did not develop overnight. After experiencing poverty and unsanitary conditions following the Korean War in the 1950s, significant improvements were made in living environments through the introduction of the volume-based waste fee system and stricter crackdowns on illegal dumping in the 1990s. This shift established cleanliness as an important social standard in Korea.

Reactions from international netizens followed. Some commented positively, saying, "It feels like Korea lives in the future," and "The cities are very clean." On the other hand, there were also concerns about "excessive use of plastic," "overemphasis on cleanliness potentially harming immunity," and skepticism about "whether so many devices are really necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.