Today marks Chuseok (추석), one of the most important traditional holidays in South Korea. Often called “Korean Thanksgiving Day,” Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, when the harvest moon is at its fullest and brightest.
The holiday originated in ancient times as a celebration of the harvest, when people offered thanks to the heavens and prayed for prosperity. Today, it is a time for families to come together, honor their ancestors, and share the year’s harvest.
On Chuseok, Koreans perform ancestral rites (charye) at home and visit their hometowns to pay respects at their ancestors’ graves, a custom known as seongmyo. Families prepare a table filled with freshly harvested foods, including the holiday’s most iconic dish, songpyeon—a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with ingredients like sesame seeds, beans, or chestnuts. Tradition says that making beautiful songpyeon brings good fortune.
Beyond rituals, Chuseok is also a time of reunion and joy. Millions of people travel across the country in what is often called the “great migration”, to spend time with loved ones. Traditional games such as ganggangsullae (circle dance), ssireum (Korean wrestling), and tug-of-war add to the festive spirit.
Chuseok is more than just a holiday—it is a celebration of gratitude, family bonds, and the hope for continued prosperity.
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