Suzanne’s Blog

Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year too… it’s very similar to the tradition that the Chinese follow here in Singapore but yet different in its unique ways. Well, since my colleagues and some of you here have been asking about the Korean way, I thought I might as well do a short write about it and provide a peak into what goes on to those who are interested.

Lunar New Year in South Korea is called ‘Seol’ and it’s one of my favorite time of the year. Why? It’s one those rare times when you find Seoul quite empty!!! Everyone goes back to his/her hometown to be reunited with family and relatives. Those who’ve been to Seoul will know how mad traffic can get there. So it’s quite a refreshing change to see Seoul in its relaxed and laid back mode Having said that, to those who plan to vacation in Korea, please avoid this period. Most shops are closed …

Back to tradition… spring cleaning takes place as well in Korea the week before the big day. And on LNY’s day itself, you’re supposed to wear the hanbok – the traditional Korean costume. I say ’supposed’ because not many practise that today since it’s not the most convenient wear. A pity…

An important event that takes place in the morning of LNY is performing an ancestor-memorial ritual “Chesa”, that is paying respects to their ancestor. And for this, you have to set up an altar with chesa food. Mind you, there is a specific order in which the food items should be placed and you mustn’t get this wrong.

On the left – Meat. On the right – Rice Drink
East : Head. West: Tail
East: Red color. West: White color.

If you ever see a table setting of such, you’ll always find that a bowl of red dates are placed at the top left hand corner of the altar table. Why? Dates represent the King and have only one seed. ( i honestly don’t really get this but that’s the official explanation… ha~)

After the food and altar’s ready, the whole family gathers in front of it and takes turn to bow to pay respects. The senior elders will lead the way and then the younger ones. After each bow, a drink of Korean traditional wine is served on the altar table. A symbolic gesture to say ” Please eat and drink what we’ve prepared for you.” Everybody gets his turn here. After this ritual, the young ones are expected to turn to their parents and grandparents and do the same bow and wish them Happy New Year.

The bow is a very important aspect of the Korean tradition. There’s a technique to bowing and it’s different for boys and girls, males and females. It’s a full body bow and this bow is sometimes so deep your forehead touches the floor. It’s to show utmost respect to your elders. After the bow, the elders will give us angpows… except in Korea, they either give it in a envelope or hand over cash like that without concealing it in an envelope etc… so everybody knows who’s getting how much;p

The rest of the day is then either spending time with the family or visiting your ancestor’s grave… and that’s pretty much the agenda for the day. I have to say though, mothers have it tough during this period. Still a very conservative and traditional Korea, women are expected to prepare all the food (for the altar and the family) and it’s a full day’s job. This is one time when I see all my aunties and my mother and my grandmother crowding the kitchen trying to make enough food for everybody. It’s almost like a mini restaurant kitchen and I get amazed at how efficient they are and how they divide the work among themselves. Of course, sometimes we, girls are called into the task when there’s not enough help to go around. We usually get the easy tasks i.e either frying or cleaning the plates.

If there is one thing that Koreans have to eat during the Lunar New Year, it is tteokguk, a tasty clear beef broth with soft and chewy rice cakes sliced in oval shapes.
According to tradition, you can only get older when you eat the rice cake soup. ( A lot of children take this meaning literally and end up eating bowls of it in one morning in their greedy bid to grow up fast!) This is also why sometimes people ask your age by questioning how many bowls of rice cake soup you’ve had in your life, instead of asking directly.
 
Korean people consider Lunar New Year to be the most important holiday of the year. The country celebrates a total of 3 days - designated holidays.

Well, this year the whole holiday period run for 5 days because the weekend falls directly after the official LNY holidays. They’re calling it the ‘golden holidays 2009.’

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR EVERYONE!