New year's customs

Su-hyeon says she is excited over the coming of 2020, which is the Year of the White Rat according to the 12 zodiac animal deities. She and her foreign friends explore Korea's customs in greeting the new year.

Jessie: Su-hyeon, I heard 2020 is the Year of the Rat according to the 12 zodiac animal deities.

Su-hyeon: That's right. So I guess you know about the 12 zodiac animal deities. To be exact, this coming new year is the gyeongja (庚子) year, and the character for gyeong means "white" and ja means "rat." So it basically means the Year of the White Rat.

Pedro: I know each person thinks of different things when they think of a new year. For me, the first thing that comes to mind is the Bosingak Belfry.

Su-hyeon: Yes. Large throngs of people gather on New Year's Eve before midnight around the bell at Jonggak Station.

Pedro: Once the new year's countdown is over, the bell is rung 33 times to wish for peace in the country and among the people. The crowds cheer as they greet the new year and make wishes.

Jessie: Wow. So who rings the bell?

Su-hyeon: A few days before New Year's Eve, Seoul Metropolitan Government announces its list of people to ring the bell. Those deemed to have made society more just and warmer and others who have overcome obstacles and succeeded in their fields are selected for the honor.

Pedro: I was there last year and made a wish the last time the bell was rung. It was really cold that day but I felt better when thinking of my hopes for the future. Traffic is regulated during the ringing ceremony and buses and subways run on an extended hours schedule, so I had no difficulty getting home.

Su-hyeon: Another thing you can't miss is the new year's first sunrise.

Pedro: I agree (smiles).

Jessie: I know great spots to watch the sunrise like Jeongdongjin Beach (Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province), Homigot Sunrise Square (Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province) and Hyangiram Hermitage (Yeosu, Jeollanam-do Province).

Su-hyeon: One has to get to a sightseeing spot early to glimpse the sunrise. The highways are usually congested so if we get there by car but leave late, we might get stuck in traffic and miss the sunrise (makes a sad expression).

Pedro: Jessie, I think riding the KTX bullet train is a better option since you're a student. Of course, getting a ticket will be quite difficult.

Su-hyeon: When the sunrise appears can differ by location, so I recommend checking the times on websites in advance. Also, some people bring blankets since it's still early in the morning when the sun rises and thus can be quite cold.

Pedro: Some people who go to watch the sunrise make a wish. Watching the sun rising from the east is both breathtaking and extraordinary.

Jessie: Do Koreans eat a special dish on New Year's Day?

Pedro: Don't many households eat tteokguk (sliced rice cake soup)?

Su-hyeon: Korea celebrates the new year under both the Gregorian and lunar calendars. New Year's Day is a one-day holiday on Jan. 1, but the Lunar New Year holiday is longer. Tteokguk was originally meant to be eaten on Lunar New Year's Day, but many households eat it on Jan. 1 as well.

Pedro: There's a saying in Korea that eating tteokguk ages you a year, so children sometimes ask for the dish as soon as they wake up on New Year's Day (smiles).

Jessie: Wow, how interesting, though I'm not so thrilled about getting a year older (sad expression).

Su-hyeon: When I was little, we used to hang bokjori (bamboo strainers) in the house, though this practice isn't common anymore. These items are installed to wish for luck in the new year.

Pedro: When meeting people on New Year's Day, Koreans say "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo (May you receive lots of luck in the new year)" and wish you good health and well-being.

Pedro: Any new year's resolutions?

Jessie: I plan to improve my Korean and travel to at least five regions in Korea.

Su-hyeon: There's so much I want to do. I want to get an internship at a company and start a new form of exercise.

Pedro: As a chef, I want to develop new menu items.

Su-hyeon: Happy New Year, everyone.

Written by Min Yea-Ji
Translated by Lee Jihae
Illustrated by Yuhaill
jesimin@korea.kr