(Illustration by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

In Korea, Seollal (Lunar New Year) is one of the most important traditional holidays, marking the first day of the lunar calendar in January or February. Families honor ancestors with rituals and enjoy foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup) and jeon (pancakes). Eating tteokguk is believed to add a year to age and bring good luck. Traditions include yutnori (a board game), wearing hanbok and performing sebae where children bow to elders for blessings and receive cash gifts. Seollal is a time for family reunions, honoring one’s roots and wishes for a great year.

Bok (luck) (Image by Stripes Korea)