By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Lani Matugas from the Philippines
Photos = Lani Matugas

Nearly a year has passed since I attended the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. It was my first winter in Seoul, complete with snow, and also my first time spending Seollal (Lunar New Year) in Korea.

I traveled to Gyeongju, Daegu and Busan around that time. Since this holiday is a chance for Koreans to spend time with family, I saw a lot of businesses close and services temporarily suspended. But I also noticed many activities planned around temples and shrines in Korea. While visiting Gangneung Olympic Park during Seollal last year, I saw huge crowds of families enjoying their day there, even if they weren’t there to watch a game.

Being from a country (the Philippines) with the fourth most public holidays in a year, I, like most Filipinos, love any reason to hold a celebration. We probably have the longest Christmas celebration starting from right after Halloween and ending on New Year’s Day. Traditionally, Filipinos celebrate New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, with New Year’s Eve parties happening all around the country and fireworks being set off at the stroke of midnight. Because the country has a huge ethnic Chinese population, however, we also celebrate Chinese New Year. Unlike Korea, which features a three-day holiday period during Seollal, the Philippines has just one day off.

During Chinese New Year, numerous decorations in red, a color considered lucky by Chinese, are seen at malls throughout the country. In Manila’s Chinatown of Binondo, festivities with dragon dance performances and fireworks to drive away bad spirits are commonly enjoyed by crowds along with Chinese food. What I remember from childhood is the practice of giving tikoy (Chinese rice cake) as a gift. Some people consult feng shui experts to attract good luck in the new year and hear their fortunes.

Perhaps the most cost-effective way of celebrating Chinese New Year is to greet everyone you know with the phrase "Kung hei fat choi" (I wish you wealth).



wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.