Couple Holidays? Korea Has 12
It’s Valentine’s Day!! Girls! Buy chocolate for guys!
Why? Because it’s the girls’ turn! On March 14th it’s the guys’ turn. Actually Korea has a whole slew of couple holidays. They’re not official. Advertising is really the only reason the public knows about them. That, and they’re very popular among high school and middle school couples.
Once couples are past high school they don’t give these holidays much thought. I’ve been told by a couple of my Korean friends that they think these holidays are pointless and again, really only celebrated by younger couples. But Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Kiss Day and Pepero Day are still widely celebrated!
January 14th - On this day couples exchange planners for the new year and make resolutions together! This day is also known as Candle Day because some couples prefer to exchange candles!
February 14th - In Korea its celebrated by girls who give chocolates to boys. Mostly boys they like but it can be friends and family too.
March 14th - On this day the guys return the favor of girls giving them chocolates and buy candy for the girls in return.
April 14th - The ones who didn’t get anything get together with other singles and together they eat black noodles (자장면 - jajangmyeon) and harp over being single.
May 14th - Also known as Yellow Day. Couples exchange roses with each other and wear yellow to show their “Spring Couple” pride. Singles get together and eat yellow curry. I like the singles idea much better!!
June 14th - This one’s exciting~! Some department stores turn off all the lights in the store for a few minutes. The idea is to kiss whoever is standing near you. It’s very exciting~ A lot of people come to department stores on this day for that very reason.
July 14th - Couples exchange silver accessories like couple rings with each other. Some couples choose this day to go public with their relationship.
August 14th - Couples go out and enjoy nature. Some couples take it a step further and wear green, and as usual there’s something for singles to do as well: drink green soju. AGAIN! The singles have it better!!
September 14th - Also known as Noraebang Day, couples take photos together and then at night go to a public place with friends, like a noraebang or a club, to show their relationship publicly.
October 14th - Autumn is the season for wine in Korea and on this day couples celebrate it by drinking wine together.
October 27th - Apples are symbolic with apologies in Korea because 사과 (sagwa, apple) means “to apologize.” Couples give apples to each other and anyone else they feel they owe an apology to.
November 11th - 11/11 - looks like Pepero sticks! The idea is to give Pepero to someone you like.
November 14th - There are even couple movie theaters in Korea now!! On this day couples usually go out to see a movie but some stay in and watch a movie at home or go to a 비디오방 (Video Bang - a private room to watch movies) … but if it’s a 비디오방 they’re NOT going to be watching a movie. (Ahem)
December 14th - Going out and hugging your boyfriend, girlfriend, friends, friends’ friends, neighbors, family, dog, everyone!! Everyone’s entitled to a hug on this day.
My favorites are Movie Day and Green Day. I’ll be in Korea on Kiss Day so I’m looking forward to see if what I was told happens actually does happen! Apparently there is also the elusive Blue Day… I’ve been told this is the day when singles try to hook up and if they can’t they hang themselves. :[
I think the reason for all these holidays, other than boosting sales, is to remind couples to go out once in awhile. Korea is so busy. It’s easy to forget to date.
