Red, White, and Black: Valentine's Day Korean Style
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Three Months of Love
In Korea, Valentine's Day is a three-month-long celebration, beginning on February 14 with Valentine's Day and ending April 14 with Black Day. In the middle is White Day, on March 14. Each day has its own tradition and it is taken very seriously by young people in the this country.
Valentine's Day
Korea has its own take on Valentine's Day. It is not a day for exchanging gifts with your significant other. On this day, girls give chocolates to boys. The original intent of the day was for girls to show their appreciation for their boyfriends, but these days, students will give chocolates to their friends and classmates, as well.
As you can imagine, the shops go wild in preparation. Despite the freezing weather, there are stands set up in front of convenience stores with stacks of inexpensive chocolates and stuffed animals. On the day, you can expect some poor cashier to be stationed out in the cold, possibly with a microphone, selling chocolates and other last-minute gifts.
The major hotels get in on the act by offering special packages on their rooms, restaurants, and spas. Not surpringly, "fancy" restaurants (Outback tends to fall in that category here) are packed with young couples.
As you can imagine, the shops go wild in preparation. Despite the freezing weather, there are stands set up in front of convenience stores with stacks of inexpensive chocolates and stuffed animals. On the day, you can expect some poor cashier to be stationed out in the cold, possibly with a microphone, selling chocolates and other last-minute gifts.
The major hotels get in on the act by offering special packages on their rooms, restaurants, and spas. Not surpringly, "fancy" restaurants (Outback tends to fall in that category here) are packed with young couples.
Countdown to Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day: February 14, 2012
Do we really need Valentine's Day?
Love can (and should!) be celebrated throughout the year.
Do you think Valentine's Day (and White Day) are important, or are they fake holidays created by savvy marketing executives?
Yes! I love Valentine's Day and the opportunity to show my love to the special person in my life.
artbyrodriguez says:
Yes, you can show love and appreciation to teachers, friends and family.
BuckHawk says:
I think we need every excuse we can find to celebrate love.
No! It's just one more day when I'm expected to buy a present.
White Day
March 15
This is payback for Valentine's Day. Although girls give gifts to their boyfriends on February 14 for a year of gifts, dinners, and movies from their boyfriends, one month later, boyfriends must show their appreciation for the gift(s) they received a month earlier by reciprocating. Once again, shops aisles are crammed full of displays of chocolates and stuffed animals. Jewelry shops in the malls have specials on "couple rings", similar to promise rings in the US.
On this day, female students expect the boys to give them chocolates. They will also ask their teachers for chocolates. Once again, friends will pass chocolates out at school. It will probably not come as a surprise that this holiday originated in Japan, the brainchild of a clever confectioner, probably to move the excess stock from the month before.
On this day, female students expect the boys to give them chocolates. They will also ask their teachers for chocolates. Once again, friends will pass chocolates out at school. It will probably not come as a surprise that this holiday originated in Japan, the brainchild of a clever confectioner, probably to move the excess stock from the month before.
Countdown to White Day
White Day: March 14, 2012
Black Day
April 15
The third and final holiday associated with Valentine's Day is Black Day. On this day, the singles who did not receive chocolates in the previous two months get together with other single friends and eat jjajangmyeon, Korean noodles in black bean sauce. Of the three days, I actually like this one the best, because there are no posters or chocolate displays or expectations. Singles just get together for an inexpensive meal and to enjoy each other's company.That's not to say I don't enjoy the look on my boyfriend's face when I get him something unexpected, or that I don't enjoy receiving thoughtful gifts from him. Fortunately, we are old enough not to feel pressure to create an evening that will impress anyone when notes are compared the day after.
Photo credit: eggnara
Countdown to Black Day
Black Day: April 14, 2012
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Valentine's Day gifts
by jenniferteacher
I have an MEd. TESOL and have been teaching English for over ten years. I love teaching young learners and am currently a TESOL teacher trainer at a u... more »
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