Korean Luna New Year also called as 설날 Seollal in Korean language.
It's the first day of the Luna Korean calendar.
Seollal, Korean Luna New Year falls on February 1st this year.
It is one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea.
To satisfy your curiosity about Korean culture on New Year's Day,
here are some Korean Luna New Year Culture Q & A lists for you.
Learn beginner daily Korean / Everyday Korean #2 ▼
Korean Luna New Year culture with 5 Q & A
1. Q: Is Korean New Year's Day a public holiday?
A: Yes, it is.
Korean New Year's Day is a public holiday.
People get paid leave for the holidays.
Most restaurants, shops, marts are closed during the day. ▲
(If you have a plan to travel in Korea during Korean Luna New Year Day, you would need to consider about eating part)
You still can find some fast food restaurants, but it would be really hard if you want to find Korean food restaurants at that time.
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2. Q: How do you say " Happy New Year" in Korean?
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| The way how you say "Happy New Year". |
A: You can say "새해 복 많이 받으세요." to Korean people for greeting during Korean New Year holidays.
[ sae.hae bok ma.ni ba.deu.se.yo ]
"새해 복 많이 받으세요." Means "Happy New Year “, literally meaning is "Please receive a lot of good fortune for the new year."
3. Q: What do Korean people do on Korean New Year's Day (Seollal)?
(1) Korean feast
Most family would be busy preparing for the big day.
Preparing New Year's Korean traditional food is the busiest part for every family.
The New Year's feast consists of several dishes such as,Tteokguk,
Galbi Jjim, Jap Chae, Bulgogi, Samsaek-namul and variety of Jeon...etc.
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Korean Vocabulary | Korean New Year's Foods
떡국 [tteok.kkuk] : sliced rice cake soup
갈비찜 [gal.bi.jjim] : braised short rips
잡채 [jap.chae] : stir fried glass noodles
불고기 [bul.go.gi] : Korean BBQ beef
삼색나물 [sam.saek.na.mul] : three color vegetables
전 [jeon] : made by sliced or minced seafood, meat or vegetables, coating them with wheat flour and egg was before frying them in oil.
(2) Ancestral rite also called "제사" [je.sa] in Korean language
Families and relatives gathering together to hold a memorial service for ancestors.
Koreans prepare traditional Korean food for ancestral rites table to pay respect to ancestors.
After setting the food on the table, the rite will start with deep bows from all family members.
This is a sign of respect to ancestors and people pray for the well-being of family.
(3) Family reunion and enjoy the New Year’s food
The Korean New Year is typically a family holiday.
Everyone returns to hometown to see parents and relatives.
Most people work in the city or live in different cities, it is important to Korean people to spend New Year's holidays with family.
Family members will prepare Korean traditional food and do "제사" [je.sa] together.
After doing the ancestral rite, it’s time for a big feast!
(4) Worship elders also called 세배 [se.bae] in Korean language
It is a filial piety ceremony, traditionally held on Seollal.
Koreans wear traditional clothes , 한복 (Hanbok), they wish the elders in the family a happy new year, by performing a deep traditional bow and saying "새해 복 많이 받으세요".
After this, the elders will give the New Year’s money, 세뱃돈 [se.baet.tton] to them.
4. Q: What do you give to Korean people on Korean New Year's Day?
(1) Gift sets / 선물 세트 [seon.mul se.teu]
It's one of the custom of giving and receiving gifts during Seollal.
People usually prepare "Gift sets" when visiting relatives, friends on New Year holidays.
You can buy the gift sets from the marts like emart, Homeplus, Lotte Mart easily.
The gift sets would be like, fruit basket, shampoo set, meat set, ham set or Korean traditional sweet set.
(2) Money / 세뱃돈 [se.baet.tton]
Elders usually prepare New Year’s money, 세뱃돈 [se.baet.tton] for children.
While giving New Year’s money, 세뱃돈 [se.baet.tton], the elders will say words of wisdom to children who will receive the New Year’s money.
5. Q: What are Korean New Year’s traditional folk games?
A: Folk games are a major part of New Year's activity.
One of the popular Korean board game is "Yunnori".
It is played by using a set of specially designed sticks.
Men and boys would also try "Yeonnalligi", "Jegichagi" and "Paengidolligi".
For women, they would try "Neolttwigi".
Korean Vocabulary | Korean Traditional Folk Games
전통 민속놀이 [jeon.tong min.song.no.ri] : traditional folk game
윷놀이 [yun.nori] : a Korean board game that uses a set of four wooden sticks
연날리기 [yeon.nal.li.gi] : kite flying
제기차기 [je.gi.cha.gi] : is a game similar to the Western game of hacky sack
팽이 돌리기 [paeng.i dol.li.gi] : a game to make a paengi, a top spin by whipping it
널뛰기 [neol.ttwi.gi] : a traditional seesaw in which two riders jump on both ends of a long wooden panel alternately
Where can you try Korean Traditional Folk Games?
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| Korean Folk Village |
If you want to experience the above Korean traditional folk games, enjoy the traditional performance or you want to immerse yourself in the Korean culture more, Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌) is a good place to visit!
Korean New Year's Song 설날 노래
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