Peace or Victory?

Just random thought this morning as I fry some Korean cabbage pancakes. 

Why do Korean do the V sign when taking pictures ALL THE TIME? I've asked a some before and they said it's for V - victory. Sure, like we just won in something and it's time for the victory shot. No. Coz that is definitely not the case most of the time.  

So I pose this question to my KH.

"Why do Koreans do the V sign when taking pictures?"

Everybody does it. And he has never thought about exactly why but it's something one does without thinking. 

That sure got me nowhere. Here is my theory ---wait! That's too heavy for a word. Just my funny ideas running wild. Or better yet, these are some reasons why. 

a. Everybody does it. 

b. They feel they just don't know what to do with their hands when it's photo time. 

c. It's for V - victory. Victory for all seasons and reasons. 

d. It's for "peace" sign.

e. The Japanese do that, so they followed. (This will definitely get some violent reactions from the Koreans.)

f. It's either the c or d, VICTORY or PEACE since South Korea is still technically at war with the North. There's this subconscious thing to show victory or peace. 

(That is my own joke which I understand if not everybody will get it.)

Mind you, I am not the only one who has blogged about this ubiquitous V-signs. There's a couple more expat bloggers like American blogger Jonathan, another anonymous Brit who dug a 'lil bit on it's history and has taken time to write more about it. A lot of people also posted the question and askaKorean blogger also mentions it in one post. 

But what tops it all is the article by Stephanie Burnette for TIME magazine, no less, back in Aug. 2014! And it isn't just a Korean thing; it's an East Asian one! So there goes my "theory" for the Koreans. :D

As to when, if I, will get to the habit of doing that, I don't know. The things you do when you've lived in a place like Korea! I'll try to resist. My smile should be enough for the picture. (just being me) 

There's one more thing I've noticed (and a bit annoyed by it) is the other not-too-famous mass hand gesture (the fist) in Korea, FIGHTING! Over zealous picture-taking sessions in group shots will usually three clicks: plain kimchee (no hand signs), the V-sign and last but not the least, the fist while shouting FIGHTING!