Korean Culture and Traditions: Costumes, Festivals, Holidays, and Vacation Destinations in South Korea

South Korea’s culture and traditional costume: between heritage and modernity

South Korea fascinates with the richness of its culture, the elegance of its traditions, and the vibrancy of its festivals. Balancing respect for the past and contemporary dynamism, the Land of the Morning Calm offers a unique blend of heritage and innovation, visible in its customs, traditional clothing, and way of life.

In a country where the majority of the population identifies as non-religious, like South Korea, it is striking to see that all the main religions are celebrated through national holidays and public festivals. This choice reflects the country’s history, cultural diversity, and spirit of inclusion that characterizes modern Korean society.

A largely non-religious society, yet rich in traditions

According to the 2015 census, more than half of South Koreans have no religious affiliation. However, the influences of Buddhism, Christianity, and traditional beliefs remain very present in the public calendar and daily life.

The hanbok: timeless symbol of Korean identity

The hanbok, literally “Korean clothing,” is the iconic traditional costume of the peninsula. Recognizable by its bright colors, clean lines, and loose fit, it consists of a short jacket (jeogori) and a long skirt (chima) for women, and a jacket and pants (baji) for men.

Once worn daily, the hanbok is now reserved for major occasions such as weddings, traditional festivals, or family ceremonies. It embodies respect for elders, social hierarchy, and natural beauty, with every detail—color, cut, accessories—carrying specific meaning depending on social status or the event being celebrated.

Professional life: annual leave and work rhythm

Work culture in South Korea is known for being demanding. The standard workweek is set at 40 hours, spread over five days, but can reach up to 52 hours with authorized overtime. This organization aims to balance productivity and well-being, though social pressure remains strong.

Regarding holidays, a Korean employee typically receives 15 days of paid leave per year after one year of service, with this number gradually increasing with seniority, reaching up to 25 days after several years with the same company. Despite these improvements, it is not uncommon for employees not to use all their vacation days, as the culture values dedication to work.

The most popular traditional festivals

Korean life is punctuated by major traditional festivals that bring families together and honor ancestral rituals. The two main celebrations are:

• Seollal (Lunar New Year): The highlight of the calendar, Seollal marks renewal and paying respect to ancestors. Families gather, wear the hanbok, eat rice cake soup (tteokguk), and perform sebae (a respectful bow to elders).

• Chuseok (Harvest Festival): This autumn festival celebrates the harvest and family. People share traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes), honor ancestors, and exchange gifts.

Other festivals, such as Jeongwol Daeboreum (Great Full Moon) or Dano (Fifth Lunar Month Festival), also mark the year, each with its own customs and culinary specialties.

Does Korea celebrate Chinese New Year?

In South Korea, Lunar New Year, called Seollal, is one of the most important holidays of the year. While this celebration has its origins in Chinese tradition, it has been deeply integrated into Korean culture, becoming a major national holiday with its own rituals and identity.

Seollal: a family and ancestral celebration

Seollal marks the first day of the year according to the lunar calendar, usually between January 21 and February 20. The holiday lasts three days, including the eve, the day itself, and the following day. On this occasion, Koreans gather with family, often in their hometown, to honor ancestors through traditional rites and food offerings.

On the morning of Seollal, everyone wears the hanbok and performs sebae, a respectful bow to elders, who then wish them happiness and prosperity for the coming year. Children receive envelopes with money, called sebaetdon.

Traditions, food, and games

Seollal is also synonymous with sharing and conviviality. Families enjoy traditional dishes like tteokguk (rice cake soup), symbolizing longevity and the passage to a new age. The days are filled with traditional games such as yut nori, kite flying, or jegichagi, strengthening family bonds and the transmission of customs.

Seollal: a unique identity

Even though Seollal coincides with Chinese New Year, it is important not to confuse the two. Koreans are keen to distinguish their holiday, which has its own codes, colors (white is favored in Korea, unlike red in China), and rituals. Referring to it as “Chinese New Year” in Korea can be frowned upon, as Seollal is a core part of Korean national identity.

Conclusion

Yes, South Korea celebrates Lunar New Year at the same time as Chinese New Year, but under the name Seollal, with its own traditions and meaning. It is a major moment in Korean life, focused on family, respect for ancestors, and renewal.

Vacations: where do Koreans go?

When it’s vacation time, Koreans favor both domestic and international destinations. In summer, a week off is often taken between late July and early August, during which the country’s beaches and resorts are crowded.

Within South Korea, the most popular destinations are:

• Jeju Island, known as the “Korean Hawaii,” famous for its volcanic landscapes, beaches, and hiking trails.

• Busan, a major southern port city, renowned for its beaches (especially Haeundae), food, and nightlife.

• Sokcho and Gangneung, on the east coast, appreciated for their beaches, access to Seoraksan National Park, and summer atmosphere.

• Seoul, which remains attractive for its cultural activities, museums, and urban events, even in summer.

Internationally, more and more Koreans travel to Japan (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka) and Vietnam (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc), attracted by proximity, reasonable costs, and the variety of experiences.

Public holidays in South Korea

Here are the main public holidays in South Korea:

• New Year’s Day

• Seollal (Lunar New Year, usually for three consecutive days)

• Independence Movement Day

• Children’s Day

• Buddha’s Birthday

• Memorial Day

• Liberation Day

• National Foundation Day

• Chuseok (Harvest Festival, usually for three days)

• Hangeul Day

• Christmas

Some years, substitute holidays are granted if a public holiday falls on a weekend, and the dates of lunar holidays (Seollal, Chuseok, Buddha’s Birthday) change every year.

Relations between North and South Korea: no common holidays, only symbolic gestures

There is no common holiday or official truce celebrated jointly by North and South Korea. The two countries do share cultural roots and some major traditional festivals, such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival), but they are celebrated separately, according to each state’s own traditions.

Politically, there have been moments of rapprochement, such as historic summits or symbolic gestures of peace, but these have not resulted in an annual joint holiday or truce. Occasionally, there are special initiatives like family reunions or joint parades at international sporting events, but these remain exceptional and are not regular holidays or truces.

In summary, there is no holiday or truce celebrated together each year by the two Koreas, despite some diplomatic gestures over the decades.

FAQ

Is the hanbok still worn daily?
No, it is now reserved for major occasions, ceremonies, and traditional festivals.

How many days of annual leave can a Korean employee expect?
Generally, 15 days after one year of service, up to 25 days after several years with the same company.

What is the legal weekly working time?
The standard workweek is 40 hours, which can go up to 52 hours with authorized overtime.

What are the two most important traditional festivals?
Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival).

What destinations do Koreans prefer for their vacations?
In Korea: Jeju, Busan, Sokcho, Gangneung, Seoul. Abroad: Vietnam (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc), Japan (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka).

Korean culture, between millennia-old traditions and modernity, shapes a unique way of life where respect for elders, family, and innovation coexist daily. The hanbok, traditional festivals, and attachment to roots testify to this strong identity, while the evolution of work and openness to travel show Koreans’ adaptability and openness to the world.

What are the origins of Korea’s main festive observances?
Many of Korea’s major festivals, such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival), have roots in the Joseon Dynasty and earlier.

These observances are deeply connected to the lunar calendar, agricultural cycles, and the commemoration of ancestors, blending Buddhist, Confucian, and indigenous Korean traditions.

How is the Lunar New Year (Seollal) celebrated in the Republic of Korea?
Seollal is a family day marked by rituals (charye) to honor ancestors, festive feasts like tteokguk (rice cake soup), and traditional greetings.

Relatives gather, wear hanbok, and children perform sebae (a deep bow) to elders, receiving good-luck money in return. The festival is observed according to the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.

Are there parades and processions during Korean festivals?
Yes, many festivals feature parades, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional performances. Lanterns and decorations adorn homes and streets, especially during Seollal and other major observances.

Fireworks and firecrackers are also common during festive nights, echoing influences from Chinese culture.

What role do lanterns and decorations play in Korean celebrations?
Lanterns symbolize hope and good fortune. They are especially prominent during the first full moon festival (Jeongwol Daeboreum) and Buddhist celebrations.

Bright decorations and red ornaments are used to bring good luck and ward off bad spirits, reflecting both Korean and broader East Asian traditions.

How does the Korean calendar differ from the Gregorian calendar for holiday observances?
Most traditional Korean festivals are based on the lunar calendar, so their dates shift each year on the Gregorian calendar.

For example, Seollal and Chuseok do not have fixed Gregorian dates, and the year’s animal (like the Year of the Pig) is determined by the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Are Chinese characters and Chinese culture still visible in Korean festivals?
While the Korean language and Hangul script are proudly used, Chinese characters (hanja) and customs from Chinese culture remain visible in certain rituals, calligraphy, and festival symbolism, especially from the time of the Joseon Dynasty.

What are some unique rituals and foods associated with Korean festivals?
Korean festivals feature rituals like ancestral rites (charye), processions, and martial arts displays. Feasts include tteokguk, songpyeon (rice cakes), and special dishes for each festival. Lanterns, fireworks, and red envelopes (inspired by Chinese traditions) are part of the festive atmosphere.

How do Koreans commemorate and greet each other during these celebrations?
During festivals, Koreans exchange greetings wishing good fortune, health, and prosperity. Family members and relatives gather for ceremonies and feasts, strengthening family bonds and honoring ancestors. Observances are both solemn and festive, blending ritual and celebration.

Do Korean festivals include Buddhist elements?
Yes, Buddhist traditions play a significant role, especially during Buddha’s Birthday, when lantern parades and temple ceremonies are held. Many rituals and observances have Buddhist roots, reflecting the historical influence of Buddhism in Korea.

Are there any martial or proclamation ceremonies during Korean festivals?
Some festivals include martial arts demonstrations, historical reenactments, and ceremonial proclamations, especially those commemorating important events from the Joseon Dynasty or national history.

What is the significance of the Spring Festival and solstice celebrations in Korea?
While the Spring Festival is more closely associated with Chinese New Year, Korea’s Seollal shares many customs, such as family gatherings, fireworks, and feasts. Solstice observances and mid-autumn festivals (like Chuseok) are also significant, marking seasonal changes and agricultural cycles.

How are good-luck symbols and red envelopes used in Korean festivals?
Good-luck symbols, red decorations, and envelopes with money (sebaetdon) are common, especially during Seollal. These practices are believed to bring fortune and happiness in the new year, drawing from both Korean and Chinese traditions.

What is the importance of commemoration and observance in Korean culture?
Commemorative ceremonies, rituals, and observances are central to Korean festivals, reflecting respect for ancestors, historical events, and the cycles of nature. These traditions foster unity, cultural identity, and a sense of continuity from dynasty to modern Republic of Korea.

Appendix: Labor law and public holidays in South Korea

Labor law and collective agreements

In South Korea, labor law governs the relationship between employers and employees, setting rules on working hours, rest days, paid leave, and working conditions.

Collective agreements and company agreements allow these rules to be adapted to each sector or company, particularly regarding actual working time, rest days, and conditions for part-time work. Collective agreements play an important role in negotiating social rights and working conditions.

Working days, worked days, and rest days

The standard workweek is 40 hours, usually Monday to Friday, considered working days. Worked days can include Saturday depending on the sector. Sunday is usually a legal weekly rest day, but it can be worked in some cases. Legal rest days also include official public holidays, which are non-working days for most employees.

Paid leave and time-off

Employees receive annual paid leave, generally 15 days after one year of service, increasing with seniority. The concept of time-off as in the U.S. does not formally exist, but overtime is regulated by law. Part-time work is recognized and protected by Korean labor law.

Public holidays and festivities

Unlike the U.S., religious holidays such as Easter, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, Assumption, or Armistice are not celebrated in South Korea. The main legal public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day

• Seollal (Lunar New Year, for several days)

• Chuseok (Harvest Festival, for several days)

• Labor Day

• Independence Movement Day

• Children’s Day

• Memorial Day

• National Foundation Day

• Hangeul Day

Public holidays are observed in most companies, but some sectors may require employees to work on these days, with compensation. Working days are generally Monday to Friday, while working days may sometimes include Saturday depending on the company.

Commemorations and processions

National commemorations, such as Independence Movement Day or Memorial Day, are marked by official ceremonies. Religious or traditional processions are rare, as Korean society is largely secular in public life.

Summary

South Korean labor law protects rest days, paid leave, and regulates actual work. Collective agreements and company agreements allow these rules to be adapted. Public holidays are mainly of national or cultural origin, not Christian religious, and non-working days are strictly regulated by law.