What is the origin of the Korean surname "Kum"?
by 
Egao No Genki
ANSWERS: 2
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Keum is the same character as "Kim" but it is more the "original direct translation of the character that represents Kim, which means Gold" Hope this helps.
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If it means gold Kim, keum,kum they are exactly same find Kim you'll get your answer. Before Chosun dynasty every Kim were pronounced Kum, after Chosun dynasty Kum were forced to pronounce their last name to Kim. Chosun dynasty's Kings last names are Lee which represents wood of the 5 elements and Kum which represents steel. Steel beats the wood, so the founder of Chosun became freightened, especially when there are so many Kums. So after debating what to do they decided to call Kum to Kim. So that it won't sound like steel. Only Kum that sound like Kum is Kum which means musical instrument, not gold. Today if your last name is Kum it doesn't mean gold.
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