Valentine's Day in Korea

Like many places in the world, Valentine's Day in Korea is an important romantic holiday . However, like Japan and Taiwan, South Korea has put a unique spin on this holiday.

Curious to know what happens during this lovers' party in the land of morning calm?

We are going to tell you everything you need to know about Valentine's Day in Korea.

Do we celebrate Valentine's Day in Korea?

Yes, Valentine's Day is celebrated in South Korea on February 14 . However, the way it is celebrated is a bit different in terms of gifts. In Korea, on this day, women offer chocolate to men .

What does Valentine's Day look like in Korea?

On this day, convenience stores and supermarkets have large displays filled with all kinds of popular chocolates and even baskets of ready-to-eat treats. Many stores and businesses are busy marketing their products during the first weeks of February or a week before Valentine's Day.

How is Valentine's Day celebrated in Korea?

The couples reunite on February 14 . It is a happy and romantic day for couples. Although people may say that it is not an important holiday, you should definitely pay attention to it if you are in a relationship with a Korean . They may not care themselves, but they may be asked by their relatives or friends, and it is better that they can say something about the celebration of this holiday if we their request.

Singles do not celebrate this day , but they have a similar holiday for them, called "Black Day".

What makes Valentine's Day so unique in Korea?

Although it is a holiday imported from Western countries, in Korea women give gifts to men . The usual gift is chocolate.

It is a day when you celebrate with your spouse if you are in a relationship. It is also a great opportunity for women to confess their love to men. Thus, single women can gather all their courage and take advantage of this day to let their feelings be known to their men .

What kind of gifts are given on Valentine's Day in Korea?

Women can feel encouraged to make the chocolates themselves. They can also source high-quality artisan chocolates from chocolate shops , often with customization options, such as adding the man's initials on the chocolate. And if the woman's crush returns the favor, she will receive gifts in return that are just as extravagant, but usually even more valuable and showy than those she gave.

While Valentine's Day is unique and fun, it can also be very trying for women. Not only will she have to take the first step and be the one to confess her love , but she'll also have to wait an entire month on Valentine's Day to see what her sweetheart thinks of her!

At the same time, Valentine's Day is, in a way, less pressing than the two great romantic holidays. If a woman is not in a relationship, she may choose to be too shy to confess her love. Conversely, a man who confessed on this day by receiving chocolates is expected to shower the woman with love , candy, and gifts on the following white day in March.

Although this day remains one of Korea's most important romantic holidays, in modern Korea today it is also increasingly common to gift chocolates to colleagues, family and friends. on this day.

Similar festivals

Besides Valentine's Day, the 14th of every month marks a sort of romantic holiday. White day and black day are examples. Most of them are smaller and only recognized by a handful of people , while others are larger and highly celebrated. Among them, Valentine's Day is one of the two most important.

What is White Day in Korea?

White Day is another holiday for Koreans to celebrate love, which is observed every March 14 , 1 month later than Valentine's Day.

What is the difference between Valentine's Day and White Day?

The difference between these two days lies in the question of who gives what to whom. On Valentine's Day, women give gifts or chocolates to their valentine. Women are also the ones who can confess their love for men.

But on Valentine's Day, it's the other way around. On White Day, men must respond or return the love they received from women on February 14 . But for single men, this day can also be an opportunity to confess their love for women.

What is Black Day in Korea?

Black Day is a day dedicated to all singles who did not receive gifts , chocolates or confession on both Valentine's Day and White Day. It is a day when single friends get together to eat jjajangmyeon, a black noodle meal, so called "black day". It is observed by single men and women on April 14. And unlike the other two days, publicity for Black Day is almost non-existent.

What's your favorite Valentine's Day moment in South Korea? Let us know in the comments below!