Korea is one of the countries with a very active 'name change' (改名) application rate worldwide. What was once negatively perceived, name change has now become a personal choice and right. The backdrop of this unique 'name change craze' is a complex interplay of the deep-rooted belief in Saju Myeongrihak (四柱命理學) that names profoundly influence one's destiny, and the modern individual's psychology of seeking to redefine their own identity.
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In Korea's traditional Saju Myeongrihak, names (naming) are believed to greatly influence a person's destiny and fortune. If Saju (birth year, month, day, and hour) is one's innate destiny, then names are considered an important element that can complement and improve destiny later in life. Experts, known as 'name givers,' create names according to various criteria, such as supplementing the Five Elements (五行: wood, fire, earth, metal, water) lacking in one's Saju, or considering pronunciation and stroke count. If a name does not align with one's Saju or if a particular pronunciation is deemed inauspicious, the desire to improve one's destiny through a name change is activated.
- Unfortunate Names: When experiencing difficulties such as business failure, illness, or family discord, there is a tendency to blame the name. People believe their existing name brought misfortune because it did not align with their Saju and attempt to change it.
- Desire for Social Success: Some change their names for better social life or success. Through a name change that creates a strong or refined impression, they express their will to start a new life.
- Pronunciation and Connotation: Names with certain pronunciations that become subjects of ridicule or have unpleasant connotations are also important reasons for name changes. Since a name is called throughout one's life, a good connotation is essential for positive self-perception and social life.
Modern People's Desire to Redefine Identity
While name changes in the past were primarily a passive choice to avoid difficult situations, modern name changes have evolved into a process of active self-identity exploration and redefinition. This is connected to the modern individual's psychology of proactively shaping their own life, beyond merely avoiding misfortune.
- Meaning of a New Beginning: People change their names to shed negative past experiences such as divorce, business failure, or criminal records, and to embrace a new life. A name change becomes a significant psychological turning point.
- Gender Identity: There is an increasing number of cases where individuals change their names after gender reassignment surgery to find a name that aligns with their gender identity. This reflects social changes that respect individual rights to personality and the pursuit of happiness.
- Convenience in the Global Era: When complex Hanja names or Korean pronunciations are difficult for foreigners, some change their names to easier-to-pronounce ones suitable for the global era, facilitating international activities.
Sociocultural Background of High Name Change Rate
Korea's high name change rate is not simply due to superstitious beliefs. There are complex socio-cultural backgrounds behind it.
- Relaxation of Judicial Standards for Name Change Approval: In the past, name change approval standards were strict, but with the Constitutional Court's decision (2005), the right to change names was recognized as an individual's right to pursue happiness, significantly relaxing approval standards. This led to an explosive increase in name change applications.
- Change in the Social Function of Names: In traditional society, names symbolized family and lineage, but in modern society, there is a stronger tendency for names to reflect individual personality and preference.
- Influence of Cultural Content: As names of characters in popular culture such as dramas, movies, and K-POP gained popularity, a trend of people changing their names to follow them also emerged.
Korea's 'name change craze' is a complex cultural phenomenon where traditional Saju Myeongrihak beliefs, modern individuals' desire to explore their self-identity, and legal and social changes are intertwined. Beyond a mere appellation, a name serves as a crucial medium for projecting and reconstructing an individual's life and destiny, prompting a continuous exploration of Korean identity.