Korean New Year

Korean New Year

Korean New Year, called Seollal, is a happy time for families in North Korea and South Korea, and Korean people all around the world. It is the first day of the Korean lunisolar calendar and a big holiday.

During Seollal, families come together. Many people wear beautiful traditional clothes called hanbok. They visit older family members and bow to show respect. The older family members then give children special money, called Sebaet Don, in pretty silk bags.

Families also have special meals. One favorite dish is tteokguk, a soup with rice cakes that is said to add a year to your life. Another fun part of Seollal is playing old games like yutnori, a board game with sticks, or paengi, where children spin tops.

Seollal usually comes in January or February, based on the moon. It is a time for love, family, and fun traditions.