South Korea
Respectful 30º ~ 45º Bow
The most common, this is the standard bow. It follows all the general guidelines listed above. It is used to greet almost anybody; seniors and even juniors. You really can’t go wrong.
“Belly-button” Bow
The “belly-button” or navel bow (배꼽인사) is the formal respectful bow that is mostly used by women in uniform, especially flight attendants and salespeople. The term comes from the fact that the hands are clasped together at the navel position when bowing. The degree of bowing depends on the occasion but the 45º is the most common.
90º Bow
This bow is literally called the “90 degree bow” (90도 인사) in Korean because it is. It’s a form of utter respect, an intentional showing of service and obedience. Despite its good intent, it is highly parodied in comedy skits involving gangsters and overzealous company employees trying to please their seniors. It is also used in occasions for deep apologies.
Big Bow
Besides the regular everyday bows, there are the knees-to-the-ground “Big Bows” (큰절) or deep bows that are reserved for special occasions such as holidays, weddings, funerals, jesa (제사, ancestral rites), greeting elders after a long period of absence, and showing of extreme remorse or gratitude. (Celebrities thankfully bowing down to their fans during events or bowing while asking for forgiveness for wrongdoings are an example.)