New Year's Day

New Year's Day in South Korea, known as "Seollal," is one of the most significant traditional holidays in the country. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between late January and mid-February. Seollal is a time for families to come together, honor ancestors, and participate in various cultural customs and rituals. The holiday typically spans three days, including the day before and after New Year's Day. Families gather to perform "charye," a ceremonial offering of food to ancestors, followed by "sebae," a deep bow of respect to elders, often accompanied by receiving "sebaetdon" (New Year's money) as a blessing. Traditional foods like "tteokguk" (rice cake soup) are enjoyed, symbolizing the gaining of another year of age. Seollal is also marked by wearing "hanbok" (traditional Korean clothing), playing traditional games like "yutnori," and sharing well-wishes for the year ahead. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, deeply rooted in Korean culture and heritage.