What Is Chuseok? A Foreigner’s Guide to Korean Thanksgiving
If you visit Korea in early autumn, you may notice something unusual. Train tickets become difficult to find, gift sets fill department stores, families prepare special foods, and cities can suddenly feel quieter as people travel to their hometowns. The reason is Chuseok (추석) , one of Korea's most important traditional holidays. Chuseok is often introduced in English as "Korean Thanksgiving," and the comparison can be useful: both holidays are associated with family gatherings, seasonal abundance, food, and gratitude. But Chuseok has its own distinctly Korean history, foods, customs, and relationship with the autumn harvest. So what exactly is Chuseok? Why do Koreans celebrate it, what is songpyeon, and what should foreign visitors expect if they travel in Korea during the holiday? Quick Answer: What Is Chuseok? Chuseok (추석) is a major Korean traditional holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. ...