Korean's New Year (Seol-Nal)

The Lunar New Year holiday, is already fast approaching it will be happen at the 3rd week of February it is also known elsewhere as Chinese New year, is second in importance only to Chuseok (the Harvest Moon Festival). Every year, family members make a grand pilgrimage to their hometowns. During the 3-day period, Seoul is almost deserted a most people leave the city to return to their ancestral roots.


This annual celebration is all about insuring both a happy afterlife for ancestors and one’s own longevity. On Seollal morning, the family, dressed in their spanking new hanbok (traditional garb), begins the ancestral rites, or jesa (제사). Along with the ancestral tablet, dishes of ritual food like tteokguk, galbijim, japchae, hangwa and savory pancakes adorn the table. Many Koreans believe if the food isn’t both a treat for the mouth and the eyes, the ancestors won’t be satisfied; so all Seollal specialties are made with extreme care.

After the family completes a series of deep bows to greet the ancestor spirits, prayers and scrumptious bites are offered to the dearly departed. Then the family bids the spirits farewell for another year – and promptly tackles the feast.

Second only to food is the exchange of Seollal gifts between family and friends. Back in the day, it was common to give and receive traditional treats like ginseng, honey, dried fish or fruits. These days, however, Spam gift sets (yes, you read that correctly), massage chairs, department store gift cards and cash top most Koreans’ wish lists.

Children in particular love this next bit. After the mountain of food has been cleared, children pay their respects to the older generations with deep bows and small gifts, an act called sebae (세배). If their bows are satisfactory, the kiddos are rewarded with a little pocket money. The rest of the day is all about relaxing, enjoying each other’s company, playing traditional games, and, of course, more food.

Despite the commercialization, Seollal is a great time to spot a number of Korean traditions in action. For one, it’s highly likely you’ll see families out and about in full traditional hanbok. These beautiful bell-shaped gowns and jacketed suits are purchased just for the occasion and can range from simple and classic to sassy and modern. It’s also common for families to visit parks, temples, palaces and other significant historical sites, play traditional outdoor games, and even catch movies and shows.

However, a word to the wise – Seollal is hell on travelers. The roads are congested; the trains are overflowing and the buses, well, good luck.

If you have Korean roots or an adopted Korean family, definitely try to join the traditional festivities. For non-Koreans looking to get in on the Seollal celebration, Seoul’s parks and palaces are a great place to start.

Beautiful Namsangol Hanok Village generally offers calligraphy and kite making classes, as well as sample ancestor-worship ceremonies; while massive Gyeongbukgung Palace and adjoining National Folk Museum of Korea will keep you busy for hours with folk music, arts and crafts workshops and samples of Seollal specialties. If that’s not enough, head over to Jongmyo Shrine or Unhyeongung Palace for traditional plays and a charye exhibit. Have a happy lunar New Year!