Talk about Culture

Do you know what Valentine’s Day is?

The day was said to have originated from the Roman Empire, and Koreans also celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th as a day for lovers. It may vary from country to country, but in Korea, Valentine’s day is known as the day for women to give chocolate and roses to the men they like as a sign of affection. I would also like to introduce another special day, other than Valentine’s day, celebrated by Koreans to celebrate love.

In the past, July 7th of the lunar calendar, which is called Chilseok Day, was considered to be a day of lovers. The younger generations celebrate the 14th of every month as a special day and refer to them as the ‘Fourteen Day.’

To give you some examples, January 14th is the day to exchange a new planner with your loved ones. March 14th, which is a month after Valentine’s Day, is referred to as White Day, and it’s known as the day for guys to give candies to girls they like and confess their love. Also, April 14th, which is a month after White Day, is called Black Day, and it’s a day for those without boyfriends or girlfriends to eat Jajangmyeon and ward off their loneliness. Aren’t these days funny? Other than these days, Koreans consider any anniversaries between their girlfriends or boyfriends to be important.

What are some examples of special occasions you celebrate in your country?

And how do you celebrate the day?

Tell us about any special occasions or national holidays you celebrate in your country.