Korean Thanksgiving Day, 추석 is here!

Summary

Chuseok, Korea's version of Thanksgiving, is a major holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, typically falling in September or October. This year, it's on September 21st, and Koreans enjoy a five-day holiday. Traditionally, families gather to honor ancestors and give thanks for the harvest. Key customs include ancestor memorial services, visiting ancestral graves, and sharing traditional foods like 'ton' (Korean pancakes). Chuseok is a time for family reunions and appreciation of life.

Takeaways

• 🌕 Chuseok is a major Korean holiday, akin to Thanksgiving, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
• 📅 Chuseok's date varies each year, typically falling in September or October, and in 2024 it will be on September 21st.
• 🎉 This year, Chuseok is a five-day holiday due to the holiday being followed by the weekend.
• 👪 Historically, Chuseok was a time for family members to gather and give thanks to ancestors for a bountiful harvest.
• 🌾 The holiday is still deeply traditional, with many customs and practices from the past continuing to be observed.
• 🙏 'Chuseok' can be translated to 'Autumn Evening', and 'Hangawi' is another term for the holiday.
• 🍽️ An important part of Chuseok is the ancestor memorial service, where families pay respects and share a meal.
• 🌿 The tradition of 'Seongyu', visiting and cleaning ancestral graves, is still observed by many during Chuseok.
• 🥞 'Ton', traditional Korean pancakes, are a common food enjoyed during Chuseok festivities.
• 👶 For many Koreans, Chuseok is a cherished time to reunite with family, celebrate life, and create memories, such as making 'Tun Pyon' together.

Q & A

What is Chuseok?

Chuseok is a major Korean holiday, often referred to as the Korean version of Thanksgiving, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month according to the lunar calendar.

When is Chuseok typically celebrated?

Chuseok is usually celebrated in September or October, with the exact date varying each year. In 2024, it falls on September 21st.

How long is the Chuseok holiday in 2024?

In 2024, the Chuseok holiday lasts for five days, as the holiday is followed by the weekend.

What is the historical purpose of Chuseok?

Historically, Chuseok was a time for family members to gather and show gratitude to their ancestors for a fruitful harvest during the full harvest moon.

What is the significance of Hangawi in relation to Chuseok?

Hangawi is another term for Chuseok, and it signifies the holiday's importance as a time for family gatherings and celebration.

How do you greet someone with a happy Chuseok in Korean?

In Korean, you can wish someone a happy Chuseok by saying 'Chuseok jeil geot eul bwayo', which translates to 'Have a good Chuseok'.

What is the traditional activity performed during Chuseok called 'Charye'?

Charye is the traditional ancestor memorial service that takes place in the morning of Chuseok, where families gather to pay respects and eat together.

What is the meaning of 'Seongyu' in the context of Chuseok?

Seongyu is the tradition of visiting ancestral graves and cleaning them during Chuseok, symbolizing familial duty and devotion.

What food is commonly associated with Chuseok celebrations?

Ton, traditional Korean pancakes, are commonly found on dinner tables during Chuseok. There are various types of ton, such as myeong taejang and tubujon.

How does the celebration of Chuseok differ from modern practices?

While traditional practices like Charye and Seongyu are still observed, modern celebrations of Chuseok also include family gatherings and the enjoyment of traditional foods like ton.

What is the narrator's personal connection to Chuseok?

The narrator fondly remembers Chuseok as one of their favorite holidays from childhood, as it was a time to see all family members and make tun pyon together.