Son Heung-Min becomes younger: The Age Reversal Phenomenon in South Korea

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min has recently become a year younger in the eyes of his native South Korea. A change in the country's age counting system has caused a…

By REMYA BABU S

June 30, 2023

2 min read

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Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min has recently become a year younger in the eyes of his native South Korea. A change in the country’s age counting system has caused a ripple effect, prompting a shift in how citizens’ ages are recognized.

Let’s have a look at more details of the Age Reversal Phenomenon in South Korea : Son Heung-Min

The Traditional Korean Age System

For centuries, South Korea employed a unique age counting system.
Babies were considered one year old at birth, with the gestation period included in their age calculation.
On every January 1st, individuals would automatically become one year older, regardless of their actual birth month.

The International Age Counting System

South Korea had already been using the international system, where babies are considered to be zero at birth, for official purposes such as medical and legal documentation.
Under this system, individuals’ ages increase by one year annually on their birthdays.

The Law Change

In December, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol campaigned for the abolition of the traditional age counting method, aiming to align the country’s practices with international standards.
The law finally took effect this week, resulting in every member of the Korean populace becoming either one or two years younger collectively.

Son Heung-Min’s Age Reversal

Son Heung-Min, born on July 8, 1992, is 30 years old according to the international age system.
With the recent constitutional changes, he is now officially recognized as being a year younger in South Korea.
However, this alteration will not impact Son’s registration information with Tottenham Hotspur, as clubs are required to provide the Premier League with a verified date of birth rather than an age.

Benefits and Impact

The shift to a unified age counting system aims to minimize disputes and confusion caused by the disparity between the traditional and international methods.
By aligning with global practices, South Korea expects reduced legal disputes, complaints, and societal confusion regarding age calculations.

Son Heung-Min’s sudden age reversal highlights the recent transformation in South Korea’s age counting system. As the country embraces international standards, citizens now share a collective experience of becoming a year younger. While Son’s status in Europe remains unaffected, this change reflects the ongoing efforts to streamline age recognition and mitigate societal complexities arising from differing age counting methodologies.