Chuseok 2025 is on Monday, October 6. Get to know the essentials for food, family, and fun. What is Chuseok? Chuseok (추석), also called Hangawi, is one of the most important holidays in Korea, on par with the lunar New Year. It’s often described as the Korean version of Thanksgiving, a time to celebrate the…
[Originally published October 3, 2021. Updated September 28, 2025.] October 3 is Gaecheonjeol (개천절), or National Foundation Day in Korea. Gaecheonjeol literally means “the day on which the Heaven opens”, and is also known as Korea’s birthday. This holiday celebrates the legendary formation of the first Korean state of Gojoseon in 2333 BC and this date has…
What is Gwangbokjeol? August 15, 2025 marks a historic milestone for South Korea: the 80th anniversary of Gwangbokjeol (광복절), also known as the National Liberation Day. Gwangbokjeol, which translates to “Restoration of Light Day”, celebrates Korea’s independence from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. To many Koreans, the restoration of independence…
Happy Korean New Year! Celebrating the New Year, also known as Seollal (설날), is a serious matter for Koreans. So much so that we often celebrate it twice a year – first on the Gregorian calendar New Year’s Day (shinjeong) on January 1st. Then once again on the Lunar New Year’s Day (gujeong), which lands…
Walking into a Buddhist temple for the first time, I was blown away by the blanket of color hanging overhead. The sun bounced off endless rows of paper lanterns, creating an ethereal kaledioscope of color that swayed gently in the May breeze. With such a vibrant atmosphere, everyone’s spirits seemed to lift as they entered…
Korea Independence Movement Day, or the March 1st Movement [Samiljeol (삼일 운동)] first occurred on March 1, 1919, and was one of the earliest recorded public displays of Korean resistance to Japan’s colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Celebrated as a holiday today, this day was a pivotal turning point in Korean history. Origin…
Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) is one of the largest holidays in Korea, and in 2024 it is celebrated on February 10. There are many wonderful Seollal traditions to experience, such as eating delicious tteokguk, wearing hanbok, and playing games like yutnori, but perhaps the one tradition that is most loved and easiest to try…
Do you dream of starring in your own K-drama winter holiday fantasy? Or envision yourself belting out “All I Want for Christmas is You” as you walk the streets of Seoul? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here is an overview of where to find some seasonal magic in Korea, and some ways…
Pepero Day (빼빼로 데이) is a beloved annual gifting tradition in Korea that is observed on November 11th (11/11). Originated by the maker of Pepero (빼빼로), the Lotte Corporation, Pepero Day is more celebrated by Koreans than Valentine’s Day or White Day since those days are for romantic partners whereas this celebratory day is for…
Songpyeon is the food most associated with Chuseok and it’s easier to make than you might think. Songpyeon (송편) is a traditional Korean rice cake that is commonly made and enjoyed during Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day. Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, usually in…