What is 설날 (Seollal)? Korean Lunar New Year explained

Korea has two New Year days. January 1 is a day off. But for many families, the big celebration comes a few weeks later. Here is what happens on Seollal, and what you can say.

When is Seollal?

Seollal follows the lunar calendar. So the date moves every year on the normal calendar. It is usually in January or February.

The holiday normally has three days: the day before Seollal, Seollal itself, and the day after.

Why does 2027 have four days? Seollal falls on a Sunday that year. When this happens, Korea adds a substitute holiday (an extra day off on the next working day). So Tuesday, February 9, 2027, is also a day off.

If you visit Korea around Seollal, check the dates first. On the roads, the trip home can take much longer than usual. Book trains and buses early.

What happens on Seollal morning?

Many families start the day in new clothes. Then they hold a ritual to thank their ancestors. After the ritual, the family eats the food together.

세배 (sebae): the New Year bow

After the meal comes 세배 (sebae). Younger family members make a deep bow to their elders. They kneel and bow down to the floor.

The elders answer with kind words for the new year. These words of blessing are called 덕담 (deokdam). For example, "Stay healthy this year," or "Good luck with your exams."

세뱃돈 (sebaetdon): New Year money

After 세배, children often receive 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon). This is New Year money from the elders. For many children, it is the best part of the day.

Why do people eat 떡국?

The main dish of the day is 떡국 [떡꾹] (tteokguk), rice cake soup. It has thin slices of white rice cake in a clear broth. People often add beef, egg and vegetables.

The soup carries several wishes:

• The white rice cakes and clear broth stand for a clean, fresh start to the year.
• The rice cake slices look like old coins. They are a wish for good luck and money.
• The rice cake starts as a long stick. This is a wish for good luck that lasts a long time.

Here is the part learners love. In Korea, people often say you become one year older when you eat 떡국. Some children even ask for a second bowl so they can grow up faster.

So around New Year, you may hear a playful question: 떡국 몇 그릇 먹었어? (tteokguk myeot geureut meogeosseo?). It means "How many bowls of tteokguk did you eat?" The real question is "How old are you now?"

This saying comes from the old Korean way of counting age. Today, the law uses your real age from your birthday. You can read more in our guide to Korean age.

What to say at Seollal

You will hear one phrase everywhere during Seollal.

새해 복 많이 받으세요 works with almost anyone. The National Institute of Korean Language says both the 세요 and 십시오 forms are fine for older people. The more formal 십시오 form is common in cards and speeches.

복 (bok) means "good luck" or "blessing." You will see this letter on New Year cards and gift boxes.

Easy mistakes

• Mixing up the two New Year days. January 1 is New Year's Day. 설날 is the Lunar New Year. The same 복 greeting works for both.
• Using the casual form with older people. Say 받아 only to close friends or younger family.
• Expecting money just for the greeting. 세뱃돈 usually comes after the bow, and mostly to children.

Why is Seollal so important?

Seollal is one of Korea's two biggest traditional holidays. The other is 추석 (Chuseok), the autumn harvest holiday. On both days, many Koreans travel to their hometowns to see family.

For many families, Seollal is a fresh start. The deep bow says "thank you" and "I respect you." The elders' 덕담 says "I wish you well this year." Seollal is a day when respect moves up and blessings move down.

Families also play games together. One popular game is 윷놀이 (yunnori). Players throw four wooden sticks. Then they move their pieces by the number of sticks facing up. The first team to bring all four pieces around the board wins.

Quick check

1. On which day of the lunar calendar is Seollal? → The first day of the first month
2. You bow to your grandmother. What do you say? → 새해 복 많이 받으세요.
3. What is the New Year money for children called? → 세뱃돈 (sebaetdon)