Korea's grand holiday, Chuseok, is approaching. Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar and is also known as “Jungchujeol” or “Hangawi,” meaning the great middle of autumn. It is a day to express gratitude to ancestors and celebrate a bountiful harvest after the autumn harvest is completed.

The representative food of Chuseok is songpyeon. Songpyeon, a half-moon-shaped rice cake made with newly harvested rice dough filled with ingredients such as beans, sesame seeds, and chestnuts, symbolizes the wish for increasing fortune, just as the crescent moon grows full and abundant. The foods prepared for Chuseok are made from fresh ingredients harvested that year, reflecting gratitude for nature and respect for ancestors.

Chuseok also sees a variety of traditional games and cultural events. One of the most famous traditional games is Ganggangsullae, a dance where participants hold hands in a circle and sing as they move around. Other games such as Yutnori, tug-of-war, and ssireum (traditional wrestling) add to the festive atmosphere. However, as times change, the way people celebrate Chuseok has also evolved. More households are using frozen songpyeon instead of making it themselves, and the gathering of large extended families is gradually becoming less common. Nowadays, Chuseok tends to focus more on the holiday break, with an emphasis on rest and personal time.

Nevertheless, Chuseok remains special because of the concept of “home.” Many people return to their hometowns for Chuseok, which provides a precious opportunity to reunite with family and find peace of mind. The journey back home brings back memories and evokes the warm sentiments of childhood, making Chuseok a highly anticipated holiday for many.

After exploring Korea’s Chuseok, let’s take a look at other holidays around the world that occur around the same time. First, there is China’s Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn Holiday falls on the same day as Korea’s Chuseok, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It is a day to celebrate the autumn harvest, offer sacrifices to the moon, and pray for a bountiful year. The representative food of the Mid-Autumn Holiday is the mooncake, a round pastry symbolizing the moon and family unity. This holiday is an important holiday that reflects China’s rich culture and traditions.

In the United States, there is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in the U.S. is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It originally began as a day to express gratitude to the Native Americans who helped the first settlers adapt to their new environment. The traditional foods of Thanksgiving include turkey, potato dishes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, with turkey being the most iconic symbol of the holiday. Thanksgiving is a time for family, expressing gratitude, and sharing abundant food, embodying the values and culture of the United States.

For Koreans, Chuseok holds a significance that goes beyond just being a holiday. It is a time for families to gather, express gratitude to their ancestors, and reflect on the traditions and values of Korea. Even in the rapidly changing modern society, Chuseok remains a precious day that reminds us of the importance of family and community. This Chuseok, we hope to come together, share warm affection, and continue to appreciate the depth and beauty of our culture.