The South Korean holidays when you shouldn’t work

Imagine unraveling a tapestry woven with vibrant customs and age-old traditions—this is the essence of South Korean holidays.

Each thread, a dynamic festival or solemn observance, interlaces to create a vivid portrait of a nation’s cultural heartbeat.

Within this article, expect to navigate through a year bathed in lunar significance and solar festivities. You’ll encounter the familial bonds strengthened during Seollal and the joyous harvest celebrations of Chuseok.

Beyond red-letter days, we’ll delve into the peculiar charm of local jubilees like the Boryeong Mud Festival and the illuminating Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival.

As the journey unfolds, gain practical insights on interweaving these cultural phenomena into your business strategy, enhancing your engagement with Korean markets, or simply enriching your travel experience.

Our exploration will cast light on the significance of indulging in Tteokguk during the Lunar New Year, wearing Hanbok for special occasions, and how such traditions are contributing to Korea’s global cultural fabric.

By the close, prepare to emerge well-versed in South Korean holidays, ready to apply your newfound knowledge or whisked away by the charm of the next festive day marked on the Korean calendar.

South Korean Holidays you should know about

Though South Korea observes 13 public holidays annually, some are more important than others. For instance, New Year’s Day isn’t as important in South Korea as the lunar New Year’s Day. Other important holidays are cultural ones because South Koreans are a very patriotic nation.

Lunar New Year’s Day

Derived from Chinese traditions, South Koreans call this day Seollal. Over time, it became one of the most important traditional holidays in South Korea. People celebrate the beginning of a new Lunar year by preparing Tteokguk, a traditional rice cake soup. This public holiday is based on the lunar calendar, which follows the moon’s phases. As a result, it falls on a different day every year.

Koreans spend Seollal with their families. They also honor their ancestors on this day and pray for those to them. Lunar New Year’s Day is far more important in South Korea than the 1^st of January. This is because the lunar calendar has more historical value to this nation.

Chuseok

Also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, this is one of the most important public holidays in the country. Chuseok lasts three days and starts on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month. Much like Seollal, it also falls on a different day each year. Korean families get together on this day to celebrate the harvest season.

Most public institutions don’t operate on this day. Traffic is often bad during this time because many Koreans travel to visit their families. Chuseok is often accompanied by games, dancing, and wrestling.

Daeoboreum

Literally Great Full Moon, Daeboreum celebrates the first full moon of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Its date isn’t fixed since it doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar.

Daeboreum is very important to Koreans. Family members gather together and practice many traditions. For instance, they crack nuts with their teeth, which should make their teeth healthy for the entire year. Some also visit the countryside and climb mountains despite the cold weather. According to tradition, the first person to see the full moon will be blessed with luck for the whole year.

Daeroboreum is marked by many other traditions, though not every family practices them.

Buddha’s Birthday

Roughly 25% of Koreans are Buddhists. This prompted the government to make Buddha’s Birthday an official Korean public holiday. It falls on the 8th of the 4th lunar month and celebrates the birthday of Prince Siddhartha Gautama.

Lanterns fill both temples and residential homes on this day. Certain temples also provided free tea and even dishes to visitors on Buddha’s Birthday. Though it is a Buddhist holiday, many non-religious people also celebrate this day.

While most public institutions close down on this day, private businesses often choose to remain open. When Buddha’s birthday falls on a weekend, the public holiday is moved to a substitute weekday.

Christmas Day

South Korea is a large melting pot of different cultures. About one-third of its population are Christians. As a result, the Korean government made Christmas Day an official public holiday. It falls on the 25th of December and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Many citizens decorate their properties week in advance. As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, you can also see these decorations in department stores and other public places.

When Christmas Day falls on a weekend, it’s moved to the next Monday.

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day falls on the 1st of January. While it may be a public holiday, it’s not as important as the lunar New Year’s Day in Korea. This is because South Korea didn’t originally use the Gregorian Calendar.

March 1st Movement (Samil Movement)

March 1st Movement commemorates the independence movement of the people of Korea. At the time, people wished to gain freedom from Japan. These movements were all brutally suppressed, however. March 1st Movement commemorates those who perished in the fight for freedom.

Children’s Day

This public holiday falls on the 5th of May. As the name suggests, it celebrates children, who represent the future. It is the day when parents get to spend time with their children.

Since it happens in May, many families choose to spend it outside. Some popular activities include mountain hiking, picnicking, and watching parades. Amusement parks and zoos are also quite busy on this day.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day or Hyunchungil commemorates the soldiers who perished while serving their country. It falls on the 6th of June.

Military veterans hold parades in large cities to pay respects to the fallen. Both important government figures and ordinary citizens hold silent prayers on this day. If it falls on a weekend, it’s moved to the next Monday.

Constitution Day (Jeheonjeol)

Constitution Day commemorates the proclamation of the South Korean constitution in 1948. It falls on the 17th of July every year.

The day is marked by many speeches from government officials. Other unique activities include marathons.

National Liberation Day of Korea

This Korean public holiday commemorates the end of the 35-year-long Japanese occupation of Korea. It falls on the 15th of August when Japan surrendered and Korea gained independence. Most business function normally on this day.

National Foundation Day

Also known as Gaecheonjeol, the public holiday falls on the 3rd of October. On this day, Koreans cherish their history. The day commemorates the birth of the Gojoseon kingdom in 2333 BC, which was the first Korean kingdom in history. While public institutions are closed on this day, private businesses operate normally.

Hangeul Day

Koreans celebrate this official holiday on the 9th of October. It commemorates the day when the Korean Alphabet proclamation came to be. It’s often marked by exhibitions, festivals, and writing contests. Most businesses function generally on this day.

FAQ On South Korean Holidays

What is Chuseok and how is it celebrated in South Korea?

Chuseok, often touted as Korean Thanksgiving, is a celebration of good harvests and ancestral tributes. Families unite, feasting on Songpyeon and performing Jesa; the air is homey, filled with gratitude.

Cities slow down as many migrate to their hometowns, embracing age-old customs and heartfelt reunions.

Are South Korean holidays based on the Gregorian or lunar calendar?

It’s an entwining of both. Seollal and Chuseok, pivotal to the Korean festive calendar, follow lunar cycles.

But don’t be fooled; solar holidays like Liberation Day and Children’s Day also punctuate the year, with the Korean calendar harmonizing lunar tradition with solar practicality.

What traditional foods are associated with South Korean holidays?

Every holiday dons its unique flavor. Seollal wouldn’t be complete without Tteokguk, a rice cake soup symbolizing a fresh start.

Chuseok calls for savory Songpyeon, crescent-shaped rice cakes. Then the first full moon’s Daeboreum gifts us with nutty treats and celebratory dishes designed to bring health and good fortune.

How does South Korea’s Liberation Day differ from its National Foundation Day?

Liberation Day marks South Korea’s emancipation from Japanese rule—a day heavy with historical relief celebrated on August 15th.

Contrast that with the National Foundation Day on October 3rd; it’s a nod to mythic origins, a tribute to legendary Dangun and the founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom.

What are some modern South Korean holidays that have gained popularity?

While traditions run deep, some fresh breezes have swept in. Take Pepero Day, Korea’s equivalent to Valentine’s Day, where confectionary sticks are exchanged in affectionate gestures.

And not official but impossible to miss, the Black Day for singles—where solo hearts bond over Jajangmyeon, black bean noodles.

What is the significance of wearing Hanbok during holidays in South Korea?

Draping oneself in Hanbok says, ‘we remember.’ Remembering roots, values, lineage. It’s not merely donning an attire; it’s embracing heritage.

The vivid fabrics and flowing lines provide a visual narrative of history and identity, especially poignant during holidays when past and present coalesce seamlessly.

How do South Koreans typically spend the day during Seollal?

Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is steeped in family and tradition. It starts with bowing ceremonies, honoring ancestors.

We feast, we laugh over Yut nori, a board game, and share words of luck. The cities quiet down; the focus is home, hearth, and heart—essential Korean values.

Can foreigners participate in South Korean holiday celebrations?

Absolutely! Korea’s warmth is tangible during festivities. From temple stays during Buddha’s Birthday to mingling with vibrant crowds at the Boryeong Mud Festival, there’s a welcoming spirit.

Cultural hubs adorning the landscape offer hands-on experiences. Think of it as an invitation to witness Korea’s soul.

How has the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday evolved in modern South Korea?

Buddha’s Birthday, with lanterns aplenty, has transcended mere ritual into a cultural soiree. The streets become streams of light, the air, tinged with serenity.

Parades and temple events invite contemplation alongside celebration, proving modern Korea can balance reverence with community vibrancy, irrespective of individual beliefs.

Are businesses and shops open during South Korean holidays?

It swings. During holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, Seoul can resemble a ghost town—stores shutter, streets empty.

Yet, some tourist spots, convenience stores, and restaurants stay open, gearing services towards visitors. It’s a countrywide pause, but not a full stop. Always check ahead for those off-the-grid jaunts.

Conclusion

As our exploration of South Korean holidays draws to a close, keep this tapestry of celebrations close to heart—it’s a palette of traditions rich in familial bonds and cultural nuances. Whether marveling at the familial dedication during Seollal or appreciating the bountiful joy of Chuseok, there’s a profound respect for heritage that permeates every festival.

Business innovators, here’s your takeaway. Leverage these celebrations in your strategies; consider the customer behaviors, the nationwide pause during major holidays, and the festive surge in specific industries. Localize mindfully; your awareness and respect for these traditions will resonate with Korean customers.

For the culturally curious, may the vibrant lanterns of the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival guide your journeys and the hearty spoonfuls of Tteokguk connect you to Korea’s soulful story. And when you do partake, let each holiday be more than a date on the calendar—let it be an encounter with the spirit of Korea.

If you liked this article about South Korean holidays, you should check out this one on how many working days there are in a year.

You should also check out these other articles of ours about public holidays in Japan, French holidays, Singapore public holidays, New Zealand holidays, and also public holidays in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US.