[Korean Culture & Language] Repaying the Favor

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Not many do a favor to someone with an expectation of receiving one in return.

However, gratitude and repaying favors are highly expected and valued in many cultures. In some cultures, failing to openly express gratitude for favors received is not only seen as unethical but could also lead to long-term consequences. 


Returning the favor is also highly valued in Korean culture. ‘은혜갚다(Repaying a favor)’ is a common topic in Korean folktales, including ‘The Toad that Returned the Favor,’ ‘The Magpie that Returned the Favor,’ ‘The tiger that Returned the Favor,’ ‘The Mouse that Returned the Favor,’ etc.

 




 

‘結草報恩(결초보은)’ is a Chinese/Korean idiom that refers to ‘one’s act of repaying another’s kindness or favor even after one has passed away’.

결 (結) means ‘to tie’

초 (草) refers to ‘grass’

보 (報) means ‘to deliver (or to return)’

은 (恩) refers to ‘favor’

It means ‘to tie grasses together to return the favor’. The expression is derived from a folktale from the Spring and Autumn Period of China. Before the King of Qin died, he requested his son to let his concubine remarry. However, he changed his mind just before he passed away and asked him to bury the concubine with him. After the King passed away, his son let the concubine run away. 

When war broke, the spirit of the concubine’s father showed up and tied the grasses on the ground. It caused the enemies to collapse, and the son triumphed. It demonstrates how the concubine’s father has returned the favor to the son.

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