If you've ever watched a K-Drama or listened to K-Pop, you've probably noticed that a lot of Koreans share the same last names — Kim, Lee, Park. That's not a coincidence. Korea has one of the most concentrated surname distributions in the world, and each name carries a rich history stretching back over a thousand years.
Here's a breakdown of the most common Korean surnames and what they actually mean.
🥇 Kim (김) — The Most Common Korean Surname
About 1 in 5 Koreans is surnamed Kim, making it the single most common last name in the country. The character 金 means gold — a symbol of purity, wealth, and nobility. The Kim clan traces its roots to the ancient kingdom of Silla, where the royal family bore this name. Today, there are dozens of Kim clans, each originating from a different region of Korea.
🥈 Lee / Yi (이) — Second Place by a Slim Margin
Lee (also spelled Yi or Rhee) is written as 李, meaning plum tree. It was the royal surname of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), one of the longest-ruling dynasties in world history. Because the royal family and their descendants all carried the name, it spread widely across the country. Today, roughly 15% of Koreans are surnamed Lee.
🥉 Park / Bak (박) — The Oldest of the Three
Park is written as 朴, a character meaning plain or simple — but don't let that fool you. The Park clan is considered one of the most ancient in Korean history, with roots going back to the founding myth of the Silla kingdom. According to legend, the first Park was born from a large gourd-shaped egg that fell from the sky. Around 8% of Koreans carry this surname.