Unusual Korean Culture Introduction: Blue Sponges on Car Doors

Hello, today let's delve into a distinctive aspect of Korean culture related to cars.

 

Blue Sponges on Car Doors

When you visit Korea, you may frequently observe an intriguing sight on the doors of cars. Let's take a look at the picture below to understand what it is.

 

 

These are blue sponges attached to car doors. When a car is released from the factory, these sponges serve as a buffer to prevent potential scratches on the neighboring vehicle when opening the door. The product, shown below, has one side covered with a sticker.

 

After purchasing a vehicle, you have the option to remove these sponges. However, many Koreans opt to keep using them. This practice is considered a courteous gesture, especially in parking lots where tight spaces often lead to accidental scratches on adjacent cars.

 

반응형

There are also design products that have turned these sponges into character-themed accessories, gaining popularity among Korean consumers.

 

How do Koreans refer to these products? They typically use the following terms:

 

✅ 자동차 문콕방지 ( jadongcha munkogbangji : Car Door Buffer )
✅  자동차 도어가드 (  jadongcha do-eogadeu : Car Door Guard )
✅  자동차  스펀지 ( jadongcha seupeonji : Car Sponge )

 

In Korean pronunciation:

Blue Sponges on Car Doors

The commonly used expression in Korea is '문콕방지' (munkogbangji). Originally, it was not a word but emerged due to frequent incidents of door-related scratches.

 

 

🥕 In '문콕방지', '문' means 'door.'

🥕 In '문콕방지', '콕' is an onomatopoeia representing the slight bumping sound when the door is opened.

🥕 In '문콕방지', '방지' means 'prevention.'

How did you find today's exploration of this unique aspect of Korean culture? There will be more topics added gradually, so if you visit this blog often, I would greatly appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!

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