Chuseok

Chuseok, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is one of South Korea's most significant and cherished holidays. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar (usually in September or early October), Chuseok is a time for families to come together, honor their ancestors, and give thanks for the harvest. The holiday typically lasts for three days, including the day before and after Chuseok. During Chuseok, many Koreans travel to their hometowns to reunite with family members, a tradition known as "Chuseok exodus." The holiday is marked by various customs, including the preparation of special foods like **songpyeon** (half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with sweet ingredients) and the offering of a ritual feast called **charye** to ancestors. Families also visit ancestral graves to clean and maintain them, a practice called **seongmyo**, and perform a bowing ceremony known as **beolcho**. Chuseok is also a time for traditional games, such as **ssireum** (Korean wrestling) and **ganggangsullae** (a circle dance performed under the full moon), as well as wearing **hanbok**, the traditional Korean attire. The holiday reflects the deep-rooted values of family, gratitude, and respect for ancestors in Korean culture, making it a meaningful and joyous occasion for all.