The Holiday That Reminds Us We Belong: Reflections on the Eve of Korea’s Chuseok
South Korea observes two major traditional holidays each year. The first is Seollal (Lunar New Year), marking the start of the year on the first day of the first lunar month. The second is Chuseok (the Autumn Harvest Festival), celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month to give thanks for the harvest and wish for abundance. During both holidays, daily routines pause across the country as scattered families gather to exchange greetings and share homemade meals. While modern Korea is increasingly defined by nuclear households and solitary urban living, this is a meaningful moment when the collective warmth of extended families returns. Tomorrow, September 25 (KST), is Chuseok. For the past few weeks, people across the country have been busy planning holiday itineraries, coordinating visits to parents and in-laws. In my case, both households live relatively close by and our families are small, making scheduling straightforward. But for larger extended famil...
