Seollal, a cultural holiday in South Korea is celebrated on the first day of the Korean lunar calendar. Seollal usually lasts for three days, including the day before and the day after the Seollal day. In 2021, Seollal takes place from February 11th to 13th. Now here’s an interesting part. Some Korean parents plan the birth of their child according to the lunar calendar.
In South Korea, each year is represented by 1 of 12 zodiac animals, each having its own characteristics. Koreans believe that the animal which represents the year a baby is born will attribute certain qualities to that baby. For example, the year 2021 is the year of the Ox. People born during this year will be hardworking, patient, and honest. Amazing, isn’t it?
Soellal today
There are many ways to celebrate Seollal. Several families celebrate Seollal in the traditional fashion such as my family does. Families go to their parent’s hometown for a nice, cozy gathering during this meaningful holiday.
After an early rise of around 5 or 6 am, we dress in Hanbok, which is traditional Korean clothing, and hold a ceremony to pay respect to the family ancestors. The ceremony involves bowing to a table full of traditional dishes including fish, vegetables, fruit and meat. After the ceremony is finished, families gather around their tables to enjoy ‘Tteokguk’ soup, or rice cake soup of meat, rice, eggs and vegetables. Tteokguk soup symbolizes one one more year added to each person’s age with good luck for the new year.
However, not all Koreans like celebrating the Seollal holiday in the traditional way. Preparing all of the food requires a huge amount of time and effort. The younger generation, it seems, is especially not accustomed to slow and time-consuming cooking. Throughout the year, they often enjoy Korea’s ‘user-friendly food-delivery services’ with its fast delivery, reviews and menu item ratings provided in cell phone apps. Thus, several young families aged 20 to 35 order food over Seollal.
In 2019, there were roughly 2.8 million food orders during the Seollal holiday.
Online Artikel: JOONGANG LIBO by JiYe Kwon, 04.02.2019
Lastly, some of the young Korean families prefer outdoor activities, such as skiing or going to an amusement park like Everland in Gyeonggi province. Usually there are many discounts offered to customers during the Seollal holiday which is beneficial to those Koreans that want to relieve stress from work and enjoy their own time, especially during the holiday season.
When you ask me, why not celebrate in both the traditional and modern way? Since Seollal is three days of holiday, I split up the time. First, I spend a day cooking and holding a ceremony for my ancestors. Then, on the second day, I enjoy outdoor activities with my family. The last day of the holiday includes relaxing on my own with a cup of tea, being thankful that I’m alive and healthy. As Confucius said, your life is what your thoughts make it.
How about you? What would you do during the Seollal holiday?
I agree with your opinion. Seollal is the most important tradition for Korean. It is a long holiday, so peope can meet their families which they live far away or go on a trip. But some people are really happy to modern changes on different way. Because our society has been privatized. They don’t like to be asked to answer personal inqury by their family. So they prefer to take a rest and prepare for next week. Haha. Especially me. Haha.
Amazing story, I love it
For me, back in elementary to high school days, Seollal was one of the most anticipated days of the year as I would receive money from the elders after doing Saebae lol. Now, I still long for Seollal, mainly because I don’t have to go to work, but I get a little nervous as I get the feeling that I’d have to give at least a little bit of pocket money to my cousins (as I’m the oldest cousin of my family lol). I sometimes didn’t like the fact that we had to wake up early, prepare for the food, etc., during the Seollal holidays; however, now that we cannot really have family gatherings due to Covid 19 these days, I miss having big family gatherings.
Much appreciated for such a great article. Looking forward to hear more
Eddy! I read your article interestingly. I think it showed me the reality of the current generation in detail and about the Korean New Year’s Day. I also like New Year’s Day. After a long time, I can meet my grandmother, eat delicious food, and relax.
I loved your article.
Thank you so much for this interesting but also honest stories.