Behind the Myth: Blood Type

Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition

This series of articles will shed light on some Korean myths, folklore, traditions and superstitions. Every country has their own share of beliefs, fact or fiction, and many foreigners living in Korea have not yet heard or do not yet understand the basis of various Korean beliefs that may be different from their own.

By Stephen Redeker

Blood Type: More than just a letter

Whether you’re a native Korean or a fresh-faced foreigner here for only a short while, you’ve likely heard the term “blood type” mentioned. It could simply be related to the standard medical exam for new foreigners, or concerned with donating blood, but to Koreans it has another meaning. Many of them believe that one’s blood type is directly related to one’s personality traits. This belief does not originate in Korea, but it has been adopted here and often comes up in casual conversation.

The belief that blood type influences personality is something like the western thought that zodiac signs (determined by your birth date) have a direct correlation to luck, life, personality and compatibility with others. There’s a small minority who make decisions based on what the horoscope dictates, and those people are most likely the ones who would ask the clichéd question, “What’s your sign?” on a blind date. Similarly, in Korea, “What’s your blood type?” is not such an uncommon blind date question!

The blood type myth dates back almost a hundred years, with its origins in Japan. Then, after 1970, it regained popularity when Japanese journalist Masahiko Nomi published books on the subject. Some companies even grouped workers by blood type, thinking they would work better together. Blood type plays much less of a role these days, but it’s still in the back of everyone’s mind here in Korea. Here’s a look at the personality traits associated with each blood type:

Type A

The Good: Patient, punctual, perfectionists, conservative, creative, sensible, trustworthy
The Bad: Self-conscious, obsessive, uptight, stubborn, over-earnest.
These people are considered to be mild-mannered, very loyal, and considerate of others. They may also be very secretive, reserved, and passive-aggressive, yet also shy and sensitive.
Compatibility: A and AB

Type B

The Good: Active, optimistic, adventurous, creative, passionate, headstrong.
The Bad: Irresponsible, selfish, careless, impatient, forgetful.
Type Bs tend to be very independent and go off on their own, caring not what everyone around them thinks. Strong-willed and goal-oriented, they may also be seen as shallow and selfish. Some Korean women tend to avoid Type B men as they could be “players” and not very reliable in the long run.
Compatibility: B and AB

Type AB

The Good: Calm, cool, calculating, rational, introverted.
The Bad: Critical, indecisive, fickle, aloof, unforgiving, distant.
This blood type is thought to be more about the brain than the heart. People with this blood type can be unpredictable but are usually well-organized and good with handling money. Some say this blood type often has a split personality. They may be shy but can also enjoy helping others and be outgoing to an extent.
Compatibility: AB, B, A, O

Type O

The Good: Sociable, optimistic, popular, agreeable, confident, inspired, ambitious, athletic.
The Bad: Arrogant, insensitive, vain, rude, intolerant.
Type O is seen as the ultimate go-getter, the natural leader who is expressive, passionate and obsessive in their pursuits. They tend to take risks and can cause rifts with those who dislike their strong, outgoing personalities and “center of attention” tendencies. Type Os are eager to initiate, but sometimes they don’t finish what they start.
Compatibility: O, AB

Do you believe your blood type matches the profile of the above personality traits? Do you even know your blood type? Koreans may very well be surprised at foreigners who do not know their own blood type. This myth about blood type and personalities has been disproven over time, but it still makes for good conversation fodder when a blind date develops into a lackluster affair!