Korean Valentine’s:
Celebrated Every 14th of the Month
Korean Valentine’s Day is not just celebrated on February 14th. In South Korea, each month’s 14th day is dedicated to a unique tradition centered around love, affection, and special gestures that bring people closer. Whether you’re learning Korean online or taking Korean language classes, understanding these celebrations offers a fascinating glimpse into Korean culture, language, and society.
Introduction to Korean Valentine’s Day Traditions
While many countries around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, South Korea has turned this special day into an ongoing monthly tradition. South Koreans observe a variety of unique celebrations on the 14th of each month, each one focusing on a different aspect of love, relationships, and friendships.
If you’re taking Korean language classes or learning Korean online, understanding these cultural nuances can significantly improve your language skills. You’ll not only learn how to say “I love you” in Korean but also gain insight into how love and affection are expressed through culture and tradition.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating Korean Valentine’s Day celebrations, dive into each month’s unique theme, and explain how these traditions are an essential part of Korean life.
- January 14th: Diary Day – Exchanging Notes
On January 14th, Korean couples celebrate Diary Day (일기데이, Ilgi Day), a special occasion that focuses on writing and reflecting on their relationship. While not as widely celebrated as other 14th-day traditions, it holds significance for couples who wish to commemorate their time together through the act of journaling or writing. Couples may exchange handwritten notes or diaries to express their feelings, reminisce about their shared memories, and set new relationship goals for the coming year. This day is all about personal reflection, love, and strengthening the emotional bond between partners through written words. It’s a thoughtful, intimate celebration that offers couples a chance to reaffirm their commitment and reflect on the growth of their relationship. For those learning Korean, this is a great opportunity to practice writing about love, appreciation, and goals in Korean, using phrases like 사랑해 (saranghae – I love you) or 우리 미래 (uri mirae – our future).
- February 14th: Valentine’s Day – The International Celebration
On February 14th, Korean couples celebrate Valentine’s Day with a unique twist: it’s primarily women who give gifts to their partners. Unlike many Western traditions where men are expected to give chocolates and flowers, in South Korea, women typically express their affection by gifting chocolate, flowers, or other thoughtful presents to their boyfriends or husbands. The gesture symbolizes not only love but also appreciation, as it’s considered a day for women to take the lead in showing affection. This tradition is part of a broader Korean custom where Valentine’s Day is celebrated with an emphasis on reciprocal gifting. Men, in turn, are expected to return the favor a month later on White Day (March 14th), when they gift women chocolates or sweets. For those learning Korean, 발렌타인데이 (Ballentain De-i – Valentine’s Day) and 초콜릿 (chokollit – chocolate) are useful words to know when discussing this special day in Korean.
- March 14th: White Day – The Return Gift
March 14th is known as White Day, a day when men who received chocolates and gifts from women on Valentine’s Day return the favor. On White Day, men typically give women white chocolates, candies, or even flowers. It’s a gesture that symbolizes appreciation and reciprocation of love.
If you’re learning Korean, learning the vocabulary related to gift-giving will help you engage in conversations about these customs. Words like “초콜릿” (chokollit – chocolate) or “꽃” (kkot – flower) will be useful when talking about White Day traditions.
- April 14th: Black Day – For the Singles
April 14th is Black Day, a unique celebration for singles. People who did not receive gifts on Valentine’s Day or White Day gather together to enjoy a meal of jajangmyeon (black bean paste noodles), symbolizing their single status. The color black is used to reflect the mood of the day—while it’s not a sad occasion, it’s one to acknowledge single life and have a bit of fun with it.
For those learning Korean, “자장면” (jajangmyeon) is a key word to remember for this day. It’s a popular comfort food in Korea, and understanding the cultural significance of this dish will help you bond with others who are celebrating Black Day.
- May 14th: Rose Day – Celebrating Romance
May 14th is Rose Day, when lovers and couples exchange roses and other flowers to celebrate their romantic relationships. This celebration is similar to the international tradition of giving flowers to a loved one on Valentine’s Day, but it’s extended throughout the year in Korea.
If you are learning Korean online, this is the perfect opportunity to practice new vocabulary related to love and relationships, such as “장미” (jangmi – rose) or “사랑” (sarang – love). Knowing these words will help you express affection and appreciation in meaningful ways.
- June 14th: Kiss Day – The Day for Sweet Kisses
June 14th marks Kiss Day, where couples share a kiss to show their affection. It’s a simple yet meaningful gesture that enhances romantic relationships. Kissing in public is less common in South Korea than in Western cultures, so this day is a special occasion for couples to express their love openly.
For learning Korean, knowing the word “입맞춤” (ipmatchum – kiss) will be handy when talking about this celebration. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about how romance is portrayed in Korean culture and how these expressions are reflected in the language.
- July 14th: Silver Day – The One-Year Anniversary
Silver Day is celebrated on July 14th, and it is a day for couples to commemorate their one-year anniversary. In South Korea, a couple’s first anniversary is considered very important, and Silver Day celebrates the milestone with gifts and romantic gestures. The term “실버” (silbeo – silver) refers to the silver that symbolizes this milestone.
If you’re learning Korean online or taking Korean language classes, understanding the significance of anniversaries and the cultural importance of gifting is an essential part of learning the language. Words related to “기념일” (ginyeomil – anniversary) or “선물” (seonmul – gift) will be useful for talking about these events.
- August 14th: Green Day – A Day for Nature Lovers
On Green Day, celebrated on August 14th, couples spend time outdoors, enjoying nature together. Many people go hiking, take long walks, or simply relax in green spaces to strengthen their bond. It’s a unique celebration that encourages couples to embrace the environment around them.
For learners of Korean, “자연” (jayeon – nature) and “하이킹” (haiking – hiking) are important words that will help you discuss Green Day in Korean. Understanding the cultural value of nature in Korean society will deepen your knowledge of both the language and culture.
- September 14th: Photo Day – Capturing Memories
September 14th is Photo Day, where couples take photographs to capture their time together. These photos are often framed and displayed as tokens of love. It’s a way to preserve memories and milestones in the relationship.
If you’re studying Korean, terms like “사진” (sajin – photo) and “추억” (chueok – memory) are key to understanding how memories and relationships are cherished in Korean culture.
- October 14th: Wine Day – A Toast to Love
On October 14th, couples celebrate Wine Day, where they enjoy a glass of wine together. This day is often paired with a romantic dinner and is a chance for couples to share intimate moments while toasting to their relationship.
Learning how to say “와인” (wain – wine) in Korean will come in handy when talking about this celebration. For those learning Korean, practicing conversations around special events like Wine Day will help improve fluency in casual settings.
- November 14th: Movie Day – A Cozy Date Night
November 14th is Movie Day, when couples go to the cinema or watch a movie at home. It’s a day to relax and enjoy each other’s company while indulging in a favorite film. In Korean culture, watching movies together is a cherished way to spend quality time with a partner.
For learners of Korean, words like “영화” (yeonghwa – movie) and “데이트” (deiteu – date) are essential vocabulary for participating in conversations about Movie Day.
- December 14th: Hug Day – A Day for Warm Embraces
December 14th marks the final monthly celebration with Hug Day. On this day, couples exchange warm embraces to celebrate their connection and provide comfort during the colder months. It’s a beautiful gesture of affection and care.
In Korean, the word for hug is “포옹” (poong), and it’s a great term to learn for expressing warmth and intimacy.
Korean Valentine’s Day traditions, celebrated on the 14th of each month, offer a unique and fascinating insight into Korean culture and love. Whether you’re learning Korean online or attending Korean language classes, gaining knowledge about these customs will deepen your understanding of how love is celebrated and expressed in South Korea.
