Why do Koreans often have the lastname "KIM"?

Answer 1

It is probably the equivalent of Smith in America. more...
Kim is the most common family name in Korea. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 8.8 million Kims — roughly 20% of the population (Storey, 35). The name is common in both modern-day North Korea and South Korea. The Chinese character used for the name (金) means "gold", and although the character is usually pronounced "geum" in Korea, it is pronounced "gim" when used for the family name and names of some cities. e.g. Gimhae (金海) and Gimpo (金浦).

Answer 2

It's true that it's similar to the Smith thing, but that doesn't explain why it's common. Like, we know Smith is common because people had professional surnames, and every village needed a smith. It's useful to know Kim means gold, but why were the Koreans so keen on having a surname meaning gold?

Answer 3

There are very few surnames in Korea and Kim is the most common of them.

Answer 4

They mostly come from a few large clans. It is a situation akin to the large numbers of Campbells in Scotland. ( I know that Smith is the most common name in Scotland but it is too confusing to explain it's popularity in clan system as opposed to the name coming from working as a smith.)

Answer 5

It is an ancestral thing so there are the Kim's, the Park's, the Choi's. etc.. each representing a root family.

Answer 6

Because they use the word "atheist" as a pejorative adjective, not as a plural noun.

Answer 7

The "Smith" response is true.

Answer 8

because mostly they are the product of incest

Answer 9

lot of choi, choe also