There is a similar proverb to 'you reap what you sow' in Korean: 콩 심은데 콩나고, 팥 심은데 팥난다 If we translate this proverb literally, it means ‘where a soybean is planted, a soybean grows and where the red bean is planted, a red bean grows’.  Koreans decided to use these beans in this metaphorical phrase, in a way of saying that every occurrence in this world has a specific reason. Let’s look at an example. Imagine you’re in school, wishing to receive a scholarship, but you don’t put in enough effort in studying for the exams. The result will be determined by your actions. Meaning that you should look for the reason behind your failure in what you ‘planted’.