Discover Korea Now

Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year): Why Kids Love It—and Why Adults Feel Mixed Seollal (설날) is Korea’s Lunar New Year, and for many Koreans it feels like the real start of the year—even more than January 1st. Families gather, share traditional food, bow to elders, and exchange New Year wishes. At the same time, Seollal can feel totally different depending on your age : For kids, it’s often the happiest holiday of the year—full of treats, games, and New Year money . For adults, it can bring warmth and pressure—travel, expenses, and the famous “life update” questions from relatives. This guide explains the most important Seollal traditions (including tteokguk , sebae , and sebaetdon ) and why the holiday creates such a strong emotional contrast between children and grown-ups. If you’re visiting Korea during Lunar New Year, you’ll also find practical travel tips at the end. What Is Seollal? (Korea’s Lunar New Year in One Minute) Seollal is Korea’s major Lunar New Year holiday ...

  A Deep Look at Everyday Life, Subtle Bias, and Why Many Choose to Stay Understanding what it feels like to be a foreigner in South Korea requires listening to the people who actually live that experience. In a recent series of interviews, individuals from Portugal , Australia , the United States , India , and West Africa shared honest stories about their daily lives, challenges, and the unexpected things they’ve come to appreciate. Their backgrounds were as diverse as their reasons for coming—some arrived as English teachers , others as engineers or soldiers , and a few came as international students escaping conflict at home. Some had been in the country only seven months, while others had lived here for years. This diversity of perspectives is essential. A foreigner who speaks fluent Korean will naturally navigate social interactions differently from someone who just arrived. A person whose appearance resembles Koreans may blend more easily, while someone who stands out ...