Month 1 · Jan 1
설날
Lunar New Year
Rice-cake soup (ages you up!), bows to elders, board games. The biggest family day.
명절 15
Korea runs on special days
National holidays, teacher day carnations, and a couples holiday for every month's 14th.
Korea runs on special days — national holidays, teachers' day, and a couples' holiday for literally every month's 14th. Here's the cultural calendar.
Month 2 · Feb 14
밸런타인데이
Valentine's Day
In Korea, WOMEN give chocolate to men. Reverse next month.
Month 3 · Mar 14
화이트데이
White Day
Men return the favor with candy — officially pricier gifts.
Month 4 · Apr 14
블랙데이
Black Day
Singles eat 짜장면 in black bean solidarity. Dark humor, delicious noodles.
Month 5 · May 5
어린이날
Children's Day
Everything kids love is free or crowded: zoos, parks, amusement parks.
Month 5 · Mid-May
스승의 날
Teacher's Day
Carnations and thank-you letters to teachers. Sincere tears guaranteed.
Month 6 · Jun 6
현충일
Memorial Day
Honoring fallen soldiers. Flags at half-mast, minute of silence at 10am.
Month 7 · Jul 17
제헌절
Constitution Day
Celebrating the 1948 constitution. Quiet, patriotic, no day off.
Month 8 · Aug 15
광복절
Liberation Day
1945 liberation from Japanese rule. Taegukgi flags everywhere.
Month 9 · Lunar Aug 15
추석
Chuseok
Harvest festival: songpyeon rice cakes, ancestral rites, highway gridlock.
Month 10 · Oct 3
개천절
National Foundation Day
2333 BC — Gojoseon founded by Dangun. Ancient history, real day off.
Month 10 · Oct 9
한글날
Hangul Day
The alphabet's birthday. King Sejong's 1443 gift. You're celebrating it right now.
Month 11 · Nov 11
빼빼로데이
Pepero Day
Exchange chocolate sticks at 11:11 on 11/11. Convenience stores go wild.
Month 12 · Dec 25
성탄절
Christmas
Couples' holiday in Korea — expect crowds, light festivals, and fully booked cafes.
Monthly · Every 14th
매달 14일
Couple Day(s)
Korea invented a couples' holiday for EVERY month's 14th. 100-day anniversaries too.