Happy New Year!

Happy new year! Its the year of the dragon this year. Koreans also like the Chinese and Japanese follow the zodiac signs.

This year, there is Euro 2012, and the London olympics to look forward to. In Korea, we have the election of the parliament members and Presidential election. I'm not too interested in political stuff, but these two events are something that will influence Korea greatly.

In Korea, its actually not the "real" new year. Korea used to follow lunar calendar and celebrated the new year of the lunar calendar.

So, what do we do during the solar new year?

We celebrate it like most other countries. We have fireworks, drinks and outings with family/friends. The only difference is that Koreans have a huge bell that rings to alert that a new year has come. A lot of people also make new year resolutions.

What about the lunar new year?
Our lunar new year is considered more important. I assume it is because there is more tradition involved with it.

We wear new clothes. Usually the traditional Korean costume. Originally, people would get new clothes as presents.

We do 제사 jaesa. It is a ritual where we prepare quite a bunch of food to serve our ancestors. When I say ritual it sounds really primitive and very un-modern. However, I really do like 제사 jaesa. It gives us a time to think about our ancestors and be thankful. Usually its gives a chance for my parents to thank their parents for raising them.

Then, we do 세배 saebae.  Saebae is when we bow to our parents and grand parents. Again we want to show respect to our parents. After we bow, our parents give us money.

After we do are bows we eat 떡국 duk gook. Its a traditional soup dish which has rice cakes in it. We also eat food that was used in 제사 jaesa. Yummm