Question

What is the most common surname in Korea?

Answer 1

The most common surname in Korea is Kim. Approximately 20% of the population of South Korea has the surname Kim. It is derived from the Korean word for "gold", and is believed to have originated from the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. Other common surnames in Korea include Park, Choi, and Lee.

Answer 2

The most common surname in Korea is Kim followed by Lee (Rhee, Yi), second most common and Park is third most common. These Korean last names are called "the big three". 21.5% of Korea population has surname Kim, 14.7% has Lee Surname and Park Surname covers 8.4% of population. 

The enduring popularity of Kim family name can be traced back to its royal origins. Kim has its roots in two royal separate families, the Silla Dynasty and Gaya confederacy. When these two kingdoms united, the resulting merger led to Kim becoming one of the most popular family names.