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PHOTOGRAPH: KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION1
A celebration of family and harvest,
Chuseok (ᆓ໐) is one of the
biggest and most significant
holidays in South Korea, where
family members from all corners of
the country will come together to
share food and give thanks to their
ancestors. Chuseok is the Korean
equivalent of Thanksgiving Day and
is honoured with traditional
customs and rituals encompassing
dress, food and dance.
On the morning of Chuseok,
family members gather to perform
a memorial service called Charye to
honour their ancestors. Formal
Charye services are only performed
twice a year: during Seollal (Lunar
New Year) and Chuseok. The main
difference between the two is that
during Seollal the major
representative food is tteokguk, a
rice cake soup, while duringChuseok the major representative
foods are freshly harvested rice,
alcohol and songpyeon (rice cakes).
Traditionally, Korean women of
each household would gather to
handmake these half-moon shaped
treats filled with sweet bean or
chestnut, and it was believed that
those who could make pretty
songpyeon would be blessed with
beautiful daughters. Today,
songpyeon can be store bought,
and is available in elaborate floral
designs, intricately wrapped and
adorned.
During Chuseok, many cultural
sites including Deoksugung Palace,
Jongmyo Shrine and the heritage
Namsangol Hanok Village will host
special holiday events such as
traditional games and dance
performances. Palaces like the
UNESCO World HeritageMAKE IT HAPPEN
Chuseok is held every 15th day
of the eighth lunar month, or the
fall equinox. This year, it falls
between 14 and 16 September
(Wed-Fri), which makes for a
great long weekend getaway.
During the holiday season, be
sure to double-check the
operation hours of your desired
attractions as most places of
business are closed at some point
during Chuseok.
Korean Air operates daily
direct flights from bothGive thanks on Chuseok Day in South Korea
Ganggangsullae, a
Korean all-women
folk song and dance, is
performed on the night
of the brightest full
moon during ChuseokChangdeokgung Palace and
Huwon, Gyeongbokgung Palace,
and the Joseon Royal Tombs will
offer free admission to visitors
wearing a hanbok (traditionaldress). At the Korean Folk Village,
visitors can delve a little deeper into
the meaning of Chuseok with their
re-enactment of customs and
ancestral rites.Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to
Seoul (koreanair.com). Public
transportation within Seoul is
modern and efficient; use a
prepaid transit card for
discounted fares on both subway
and buses (eng.t-money.co.kr).
Dark, sleek and deliciously
handsome both inside and out,
Hotel Karashy is the hot new
thing on the block, just south of
the river from Itaewon (from
US$180 per pax per night;
karashy.com).