Give the Hand Instead
Going to a new place for the first time means seeing brand new and extraordinary things. You may be so amazed by something that you’ll want to point it out to the people around you. You will most likely do this by pointing in the direction of whatever it is with your index finger.
Fortunately, pointing with your index finger is not banned or seen as a sign of disrespect in South Korea. It’s just not done. In fact, some South Koreans may be confused by what you’re doing, just as you would be if you saw them “pointing”. In South Korea, locals point with their whole hand.