Why is there so little diversity in Korean surnames?
I am of Dutch heritage and Napoleonic law was instituted in Europe (conquered nations) approx. 1820 requiring new names. This also made the govt the main record keeper, not the church. I can traced my name back to 5 clans who chose our name. A family could pick the name together or an individual could. Names could not be duplicated within the “county” level of govt. Some picked colorful names like “outhouse” “stuck in pants” thinking it would not last but then they were stuck with the name, you know how govt bureaucracy is.
Koreans actually differentiate between different Kim clans usually based on geography. This makes marriage law a bit complicated when two Kims want to be married.
LOL. I share your Dutch heritage and have found the derivation of last names quite interesting.