What Is Chuseok, and How Is it Celebrated? Everything To Know About the Korean Holiday
There are so many meaningful holidays and celebrations around the world throughout the entire year—but especially in the fall and winter. One such holiday is Chuseok, a Korean celebration similar to Thanksgiving in America.
Although there are some similarities to what Americans recognize as Thanksgiving traditions (especially with it taking place in the autumn and having an emphasis on family), many aspects of Chuseok are distinctly rooted in Korean history and culture—making it a beautiful celebration to learn from.
We'll cover exactly what Chuseok is, when it will be celebrated in 2023, how long it lasts, meaningful traditions connected to the holiday and so much more.
What Is Chuseok?
Chuseok (literally "autumn evening" in Korean) is a fall harvest festival where many Koreans will return to their hometowns for a gathering with friends and family. It is often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving," or Hangawi (from Old Korean, the "great middle" of autumn), and has been celebrated for an estimated 2,000 years.
While Chuseok has similarities to other countries' observances of Thanksgiving Day, there are many features that make it distinctly Korean.
Peter Schroepfer attended university in Korea, focusing on classical Korean literature, eventually writing for a variety of Korean newspapers and other publications—living in Korea from age 18 through most of his thirties.
Related: What is Thanksgiving?
Schroepfer has noted some significant differences between observing Chuseok and how other countries observe a traditional Thanksgiving.
The Korean holiday is intertwined with connecting to one's family of origin during this time—including the institution of certain ancestral rites (described in more detail below).
In fact, until Schroepfer married a Korean woman, his peers noted that Chuseok was not relevant to him. Its tie to familial duties and obligations is inseparable from the holiday itself.
When Is Chuseok 2023?
The date for Chuseok is based on the lunar calendar, so it varies slightly each year, but always takes place in September or October.
This year, the day of Chuseok itself is Friday, September 29, but the holiday is celebrated from September 28-30, 2023.
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How Long Does Chuseok Last?
This holiday lasts for a total of three days; the day of Chuseok, and the day before and after it.
How To Say 'Happy Chuseok' in Korean
According to Topik Guide, there are at least ten ways to do so. Typically, it's best to ask the individual you're offering a greeting to what phrasing they prefer, especially when learning about a culture unfamiliar to you. Here are a couple of phrases, using Korean letters, and the translated English phrase:
"추석 연휴 잘 보내세요. (Have a great Chuseok holiday)"
"해피 추석 되세요. (Happy Chuseok)!"
However, Schroepfer explains that greetings like this seem to be more American in origin. He shares that a more appropriate phrase to offer would be: "Do Chuseok well."
What Is the History of Chuseok?
Dating back to its days of being an agrarian society, Chuseok was a time for families to give thanks to their ancestors, and offer up prayers for a plentiful harvest.
As with many cultures, legend offers an explanation for the beginning of this holiday as well. Silla was an ancient king who held a month-long weaving contest between two teams. Whichever team wove the most cloth would be the winner, and would serve the losing team food, drink and other gifts. Thus, Chuseok found its beginning.
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What Are Some Chuseok Traditions?
While traditions vary by family and region, the following are some things that might occur on this holiday.
Families may visit ancestral gravesites, an activity called "beolcho," performing ancient rituals, maintaining the area around the graves, and offering ceremonial food and drink to ancestors.
Traditional Habok attire, noted for its bright colors and distinct look, is often worn. For women, a traditional jegori (a jacket-like top that wraps snug at the front) and a chima (skirt). For men, a jegori and baji (pants). When these two pieces are worn together, the outfit takes on the shape of a bell.
Often, folk games are played, such as Ganggangsullae, an ancient, traditional dance where women form a circle, join hands and enact stories of village life, all while chanting "Ganggangsullae."
Some other games might include ssireum (wrestling matches) archery contests, tug-of-war games, jegichagi (similar to hackey sack) and jultagi (tightrope walking).
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What Dishes Are Served for Chuseok?
Foods harvested that autumn are featured on the Chuseok table. One staple is "songpyeon," a type of rice cake stuffed with goodies such as sesame seeds, red bean paste or chestnuts.
Other foods might include "jeon" (savory pancakes), "young yang chaltteok" (sweet rice cake), "japchae" (stir-fried starch noodles with beef and vegetables, and "toran guk" (soup made with taro).
What Gifts Are Given on Chuseok?
Like the dishes that are served for Chuseok, gifts given and received also center around fruit or other agricultural products.
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Red ginseng supplements or tea are popular gifts. SPAM gift sets are considered a premium food item, and encouraged as a gift to take home to one's parents.
Up Next: 25 Authentic Korean Recipes To Celebrate Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
