Celebration of New Year's Day in Korea
How do you celebrate New Year's Day in your country? It is the beginning of the year. Starting is very important in that many people make plans and set goals in the beginning. Our nation is not an exception. 'Seolnal,' meaning New Year's Day in Korean, is considered one of the most important and meaningful holidays. Thus, in New Year's Day, you can taste the Korean culture: the tradition, food and custom.
People put a lot of meaning into New Year's Day. That is why families and relatives gather to enjoy the time together. They play traditional games, like Yuetnoree or Go-stop. Most importantly, though, Koreans have bowing tradition on the day. Wishing a good luck or health for adults, younger people bow to older people like parents or grandparents. Usually, those who were bowed from children or younger generations give some money as allowance. In addition to this tradition, cooking accounts for the big part of the celebration of New Year's Day. The food known to be the prerequisite for the day is called Teokguk, meaning soup made of rice-cake. There is a concept behind the dish is that only after you eat one bowl of Teokguk, do you get one year older. This often makes children eat a lot because they are eager to grow up. Apart from eating part, various fruits are prepared, too. While eating at a table as a family, people feel pleasant and cheerful. Lastly, New Year's Day is when people dress up in beautiful Korean traditional clothes, called Hanbok. Bowing activity is done by people in this costume. These days, Hanbok is modified or fused with other modern clothes. Though it's traditional clothes that are way different from today's clothes, they are made in such a colorful and sophisticated way that even youngsters often are willing to wearing them.
New Year's Day is celebrated by almost all Koreans as it is the biggest holiday. It is the day to gain money from adults or to give money to children. It's the day to enjoy delicious traditional foods and day to dress up in beautiful clothes.
200903141 Jung Sun Hoa
ReplyDeleteYou wrote well, but I think it's more like explanation about the New Year's Day than description. You could add some details in descriptive ways!
And your conclusion looks a little weak. So it's better to add your own opinion about this topic!
[Seung Ah Lee]
ReplyDeleteCelebration of New Year’s Day in Korea
How do you celebrate New Year’s Day in your country? It is considered an important national holiday in every part of the world because it is the beginning of the year when people make plans and set goals. Our nation is not an exception. Seolnal, meaning Korea’s New Year’s Day based on the old calendar, is celebrated with great efforts and sincerity. Thus, in New Year’s Day, you can taste the Korean culture: the tradition, food and custom.
People put a lot of meaning into New Year’s Day. That is why families and relatives gather to enjoy the timetogether. What distinguishes Korean New Year’s Day from that of other nations is that Korea has its unique tradition in the celebration of the day- New Year’s bows, SeBae. Wishing a good luck or health for adults, younger people bow to older people like parents or grandparents. Usually, those who were bowed from children or younger generations give some cash gifts, called Sebaetdon as allowance. In addition to this tradition, cooking makes up for the big part of the celebration of New Year’s Day. The food known to be the prerequisite for the day is called Teokguk, meaning soup made of rice-cake. Egg and sliced green onion are put. After it’s cooked, pieces of seaweed are scattered on the surface of the soup. Depending of the region, the ingredients might differ, but the concept behind the dish is the same. The idea is that only after you eat one bowl of Teokguk, do you get one year older. This often makes children eat a lot because they are eager to grow up. Apart from eating, various fruits are prepared, too. While eating at a table as a family, people feel pleasant and cheerful. Lastly, New Year’s Day is when people dress up in beautiful Korean traditional clothes, called Hanbok. Usually is made of light cloth. Its color and pattern vary. Various kinds exist, giving many options to people in different ages or tastes. These days, Hanbok is modified or fused with other modern clothes. Though it’s traditional clothes, they are made in such a colorful and sophisticated way that even youngsters are willing to wear them.
New Year’s Day is celebrated by almost all Koreans as it is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. It is the day to earn money from adults after wishing them a good luck. It’s the day to enjoy delicious traditional foods and to dress up in beautiful clothes. Instead of regarding Seolnal as just a day off, let us be reminded of the true meaning of the day and celebrate it in a traditional way!