Korean New Year

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Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditions for many Koreans across the globe. Seollal is the first day of the lunar calendar, which changes dates every year depending on the lunar cycle. This year, the three-day celebration will begin on Friday, February 12th, and coincide with Chinese New Year. Seollal shares similarities with several other Asian holidays, including a focus on elder relatives and blessings of good luck, but it also carries unique significance as well.

On Seollal, Koreans throughout the world try to visit other relatives, a practice that makes this holiday the busiest time to travel throughout Korea (although this may not be the case this year due to coronavirus). Given the country’s size and population (51 million), traveling during this time might be similar to Thanksgiving, only more intense. But it’s well worth the effort. Many people begin the day by dressing in vibrant traditional attire called hanbok, before packing the streets for colorful parades and festivals en route to family functions.

Many people begin the day by dressing in vibrant traditional attire called hanbok, before packing the streets for colorful parades and festivals en route to family functions.

Although many people are social distancing due to COVID-19, Seollal is typically a great time to socialize and bond together with relatives who may live far away. Many Koreans play a variety of traditional games while spending time with their loved ones, including top-spinning, jegichagi, and gonggi. Top-spinning requires balance and challenging maneuvers as a player spins a wooden top and navigates it with a stick to make it travel on the ground. In Jegichagi, a competitor tries to kick a decorative pouch (jegi) into the air the most times before it hits the ground. Gonggi is a game where a handful of small stones are grabbed and thrown into the air. Similar to throwing jacks, players compete by tossing stones into the air and catching them. At the end of the day, New Year’s fun requires plenty of motor skills.

Historically, you are considered one year older on Lunar New Year, and this symbolic celebration means that every Korean child gets a second birthday. Traditional foods are usually eaten during this time, with delicious tteokguk (Soup with rice cakes) central to the concept of the New Year and new age. This rice cake soup is believed to add another year to your life. One of the most important aspects of Korean New Year is getting together with family and exhibiting respect to elders. As evidence of their respect, children and grown-ups often seh bae, a form of bowing similar to the kowtow, towards the elders and wish them good fortune for the new year. In return, the elders, usually the oldest living generations, give the children money and share important facts and wisdom about life.

Though most widely observed in South Korea, Seollal has followed migrants throughout the Korean diaspora across the world. Each family creates its own customs, while sharing traditions are pretty common worldwide. Although Coronavirus has drastically affected daily life for people around the world, Seollal is a great opportunity to spend time together with family members in the new year of 2021.

Happy Seollal, DAY SCV!

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Dear Asian Youth SCV

February 8th

Author: Jonathan Chun