There is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and Canada, and Mid-Autumn Day in China. But is there a similar holiday in Korea? Chuseok is known as Korean Thanksgiving. It starts on August 15th of the lunar calendar and runs for three days. It’s one of Korea’s biggest holidays, along with Lunar New Year, when people travel to their hometowns to spend time with their families and hold memorial services to honor their ancestors. With the Chuseok holiday around the corner, let’s take a closer look at what happens during this popular festive occasion.

▲ Songpyeon is the traditional Korean food representative of Chuseok. (Photo from Edunet)

   ‘Chuseok’ translates to the night with the brightest moonlight in autumn. The word itself is symbolic. There are no written materials about the origin or the inception of Chuseok, but the holiday was first recorded in the document ‘Samguk Sagi’. From this it is implied that Chuseok was already a representative holiday during the early Silla period.

   During Chuseok, most Koreans make Songpyeon, a half-moon-shaped rice cake made of newly harvested rice, which they enjoy with their family members. After holding memorial services to honor their ancestors, Koreans share food with their families and neighbors. ‘Gang-gang-sullae’ is a traditional group dance performed during Chuseok. Women form a circle and while holding hands, and dance under a bright full moon while singing the folk song ‘Gang-gang-sullae.'

   The Dankook Herald (DKH) interviewed two DKH reporters about their personal experiences with the Chuseok holiday of today. Reporter Lee Jin-hee, majoring in Dept. of Law said, “Holidays are a very special occasion in Korea and there are a variety of delicious traditional foods to enjoy. My favorite Chuseok specialties are Songpyeon (Rice cake), sweet pumpkin Sikhye (sweet rice drink), and sweet potato pancake. There is also honey Songpyeon and bean Songpyeon, but I only eat honey Songpyeon.” She clarified, “One way to enjoy Songpyeon is to prepare various colored versions of it. The tastes are all similar, but I think the more colorful they are, the more fun they are to eat.” Lee’s grandmother makes her own Sikhye, using sweet pumpkin, which is different from the regular one. She said, “Everyone who drinks it is amazed at how delicious it is. The reason why I like it is that I feel the love of my grandmother as well as the great taste.” She added, “I like sweet potato pancake because it reminds me of my late grandfather. He used to enjoy it, so it makes me think of him when I eat it.”

   As for how she spends her time during the holiday, Lee said, “When I was young, both my parent’s families hosted special holiday events, but now things have changed. I tend to spend Chuseok relatively simply on my father's side. In the past, all relatives gathered at grandma’s house for a traditional Chuseok, but now we go to my grandfather's grave and hold memorial services to honor him and our ancestors. However, on my mother's side, we have a very lively Chuseok. The day before the holiday period begins, the entire family prepares food, and my grandmother serves it. I think this large family gathering is one of the greatest events that holidays have to offer.” She added sadly, “During Chuseok, I can only spend one night at my grandmother's house. Usually, I can’t go to the ancestral rites’ ceremony on my mother's side in the morning because I spend it with my father's family. I wish I could enjoy the lively holiday process celebrated on my mother’s side from beginning to end. Then I could spend the holiday with my cousins too.”

▲ People hold a momorial service for ancestors. (Photo from The Academy of Korean Studies)

   Lee Seung-joon, another reporter with the DKH, majoring in Business Administration also took the time to explain how he spends his Chuseok holiday. “It is exciting to spend time with family on Chuseok, but it is not always like that. Some younger people like to avoid nagging relatives as they feel they are interfering with their lives.” Lee pointed out that over the past two years, young people have been free from nagging because they have not had to meet their relatives on holidays due to COVID-19, but with the end of pandemic concerns, they are worried this year the nagging will return.  Lee said, “In my case, some adults bother me about my grades or future career or plans.” Lee pointed out that it is stressful to constantly be compared to other relatives of similar age groups. “I understand their concern, but it is an unnecessary interference if it goes too far” he added.

   One of the unique ways to spend the holidays is watching movies with family. They are normally not films that you watch in the theater, but rather special features aired only during the holidays. These shows have great advantages in that they are normally free, so they attract the attention of a lot of holiday viewers. A decade ago there were no streaming services, but today you can freely watch movies at any time. Spending time with family, enjoying festive movies and TV programs during Chuseok is a relaxing way to pass the holiday.

   There is a Korean saying about Chuseok that says, “I wish things were always like they are on Gawi, the actual Korean Thanksgiving Day, neither more nor less than that.” The DKH hopes that international students reading this article have a better understanding of the Korean traditional holiday we call Chuseok. So, how will you celebrate? We sincerely wish you a pleasant Chuseok holiday!