Seollal

Seollal is the Korean Lunar New Year, celebrated around late January or early February, marking the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar. It is a time for family gatherings, honoring ancestors through rituals called charye, and paying respects. Traditionally, people wear hanbok (traditional clothing), perform ancestral rites, and enjoy festive foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup). The holiday also involves playing games, giving gifts, and welcoming the new year with hopes for good fortune and health. Seollal is a deeply cultural celebration emphasizing family, tradition, and renewal.