So I asked my followup questions at the first opportunity, and these were the responses:
How do they come up with the new name to ensure that one also does not have a bad fortune attached to it?
My co-teacher and her mother looked online. Apparently there are many resources for this potential problem.
How many times might something like this happen?
Usually only once, but she has a friend that has changed her name three or four times.
I'm assuming they just change the first name, but I want to double check.
Yes, their family name stays the same.
My co-teacher added that she knows the whole concept sounds silly, but names are really influential and very important in Korea, and even if she thinks it sounds superstitious and illogical she also knows that it is valid and meaningful in her culture.
