As every other country, South Korea has its own specific holidays. I will briefly introduce you to South Korea’s very colorful New Year’s celebration.

Although South Koreans celebrate New Years on the 1^st of January, just like every other country, they do have a different approach to what is better known as Seolnal. Seolnal the Korean New Year, it happens on the first day of the Lunar calendar (which is usually the second new moon after the winter solstice) and it is one of the most important national holidays. It also coincides with the Chinese Lunar Year.

People dress in traditional clothing, Hanboks, which are colorful and joyous and it is usually seen as a family holiday and thus is spent within the holiday. It lasts for three days. Three days of joy, laughter and good time together with loved ones. Kids receive pocket money in colorful luck bags, usually from silk, as a reward for respectfully bowing down, only once, in front their grandparents, aunts, uncles and elders of the family in general (a tradition full of respect and love).

During this time, Koreans prepare a lot of delicious food and the day is mostly spent eating. However the one food that is traditional and should never miss from the table is Tteokguk. It is a soup with rice cakes. According to Korean Age Reckoning (Korean age does not start from 0 as in the rest of the world, it starts from 1. When you are born you are one year old) the Korean New Year is similar to Korean birthdays and after you finish eating your Tteokguk, you are one year older (For example: If you are born before Seolnal you are 1 year old  and after Seolnal you are considered to be 2 years old, even if in the eyes of the rest of the world you are only a few months old).

Other than the traditional rituals and food there are also traditional games which are played during this time of the year. This year the Korean Lunar New Year falls on the 19^th of February while last year it was on Janary 31. 

Just some of the traditional South Korean food they make for Seolnal

Korean Seolnal games



Some Korean idols in colorful hanboks for Seolnal




And my very own popstar, in her own Hanbok, all ready for Seolnal



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