Korean Valentine's Day

Back in the Philippines and anywhere else in the world, Valentine's Day is about flowers, chocolates, and gifts attached with love notes, romantic dinner reservations, romantic getaway, etc.. etc.. either prepared by the male, the female or by the couple themselves.

Here in Korea, the tradition of the day of love happens not only once a year. Though similar in theme, there are limitations in the scope. Only the women give chocolates to the men as an expression of love or liking for that particular man. The men don't have anything to do in February for it's their turn to return the favor the following month, March 14, called the White Day. The men who received chocolates on Valentine's Day are expected to give gifts (which I heard are supposed to be more expensive?) also to the women who gave them chocolates. So there's no pressure for the guys to know who to give presents to since as early as February 14, they already know who likes them. There's also no limit for the guys. They can give candies (and chocolates) too to the woman (women) they like other than those who gave them gifts the previous month... The men are not usually required to return the favor but it's the usually accepted thing to do.

April 14 is the Black Day. Here, I heard all single people come together to eat black noodles (jjajangmyeon 짜 장 면). So if a woman has no love interest by Valentine's Day, and the same with a man on White Day, (meaning there's no one to give gifts to) they can go out with their single friends on Black day to eat jjajangmyeon. But I guess not only the single people can do this. Even if they have love interests, if their love is not reciprocated then they can go out together and have fun instead, kkk... It shouldn't be thought of as a pitiful day...

I read from somewhere that this practice is passed down as a tradition in remembrance of a girl from a poor family in love with a boy from a rich family. Fortunately, the boy loves her in return. Unfortunately, his family intervened. So there comes the sad separation but before he was about to go away, he gave her some gifts...

I also read that this tradition has originated from Japan (?) and is also practiced in Taiwan...

As for me, I kept on asking Alex what chocolate he'd like to receive as chocolates are a big no no in the house, kkk... He said we can just go out or order pizza and chicken instead. So there, it means next month, it'll be about food for me too...

But with the cultural diversities here, with over 1 million foreigners as teachers, foreign spouses, and other professionals, Koreans are also now practicing western-style Valentine's Day. Every morning, as Alex and I listen to the "tbs efm"--an all-English radio station, the upcoming Valentine's Day is an event they call all listeners to celebrate either in Korean or Western style.. They give away tickets such as meals for 2 in fancy restaurants, tickets to shows, etc.. etc...

Only started last December, the all-English radio station has now a good number of listeners, consisting of both foreigners and Koreans. Thanks to Ate Betchay for sharing the site...