Are you happy when you see the days that are marked red on the calendar? In Korea, every national holidays is marked with red words that name the certain national holiday, festival, or saint’s day. Well, this new school year’s first red days are coming soon at the end of September! It is Korean Thanksgiving day (Chuseok in Korean language).

Korean Thanksgiving day, Chuseok, was originally named ‘Hangawi’ meaning the “Great middle of autumn” and lasts 3 days in a row. Korean people started to celebrate this holiday as an appreciation for the good harvest from the autumn season, when all the planted seeds gave good harvests to fortunate people. According to the history, Chuseok festival began in the old Korean Shilla Empire.

As the holiday last for 3 days, most Korean people, from students to working adults who are away from their hometown, go back and visit their parents’ or grandparents’ home for a family gathering and for a good time with family members. Particularly, it is common for families to visit the eldest sons’ homes among their immediate relatives. This action shows a consideration of respect for their elders, which is the most important custom among Korean people even in their ordinary daily lives.

Another special thing about Chuseok is that every family prepares massive amounts of Korean traditional food, including many types of fruits for the holiday and for the family gathering. Most main dishes for Chuseok are usually prepared by the wife, grandmother, and the daughter in the family; however it is also common that the husband and son help to prepare the food. Interestingly, as the society is improving, to makes people’s lives easier and to improve their lifestyle, a lot of young families in Korea prefer to buy Chuseok food from nearby food markets rather than making it themselves.

Some of the special foods eaten during Chuseok are Songpyeon (a type of rice cake made out of beans) and Chong (a traditional Korean pan-fried pizza-looking food). There is also a Chuseok-special traditional alcoholic drink called Chonjung (premium alcoholic drink similar to the traditional Korean Soju) which is usually served to the spirits of the ancestors of the family when Chuseok starts. Also, it is common to be served to the family adults during the Chuseok holiday dinner.

Kookmin Review interviewed International Kookminians about their previous experiences and plans for the upcoming Chuseok. (Interviews with international students) Every year during the Korean Thanksgiving day, Kookmin University prepares modest but exciting Thanksgiving meals for international students at Kookmin. International students of Kookmin, if are planning to sit it out in your room during Korean Thanksgiving Day, there is something you can enjoy even on campus with your fellow international friends!

 Mongolia@kookmin.ac.kr