In the Korean drama, Goblin, Eun Tak makes seaweed soup for breakfast as an indirect way to celebrate her birthday (because her family doesn’t care). This made me wonder is seaweed soup synonymous with the Korean birthday? How are birthdays celebrated in Korea?
Two Birthdays
Korean are either lucky or easily confused, but either way they get to celebrate two birthdays. Growing up, I remember my birthday being my favorite holiday. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have two birthdays (of course I could have celebrate my 1/2 birthday or my unbirthday as well).
The New Year Birthday
On the day of the Lunar New Year, everybody in the country turns a year older. So If someone had a baby the day before the new year, on the very next day the baby would be two! See what I mean by confused. At birth, Koreans are already 1 years old–which makes sense to me. I can imagine how difficult it’d be to keep track of a child’s development with so many different ages and ranges. I think this birthday expresses Koreans collectivist society (which is something I’m interested in).
To celebrate the lunar new year families cook food then place it on an ancestral table as an offering. They also pray. The families also get together to tell stories, play games, and share meals.
Here’s BTS playing Tuho (one of the games played on New Years) and they eat tteoguk.
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Real Birthday
A meal that is typically eaten on the real birthday is plain rice, seaweed soup, and rice cakes. So yes seaweed soup = birthday. It is said that seaweed soup is eaten in remembrance of the pain your mom went through and care she gives. So I’m guessing the eating the soup is painful as well? But it also provides warmth.
Dol or Doljanchi
The first birthday is a special milestone. Mainly because in the past many babies didn’t make it to the first birthday. The highlight of the birthday is a custom called doljabi. Doljabi is where 3 items are placed in front of the baby on a table (traditionally money, paint, string, or food) and whatever is selected will foretell the child’s future. My friend did this for her son’s birthday. I can’t remember what he chose, but I almost certain it was a computer mouse.
Saei-Rye
This is celebrated 21 days after birth. Everyone checks in to see if the child is still well. Typically only family and maybe close friends who are consider family come. They eat their favorite seaweed soup, rice, and Baek Seolji (this food reminds me of the male lead from Playful Kiss–Baek Seung Jo).
Hwanggap
Then there’s 60th birthday party. 60 is considered the auspicious year. One: People didn’t use to live as long. Two: It takes 60 years for the zodiac animal and element of which one is born to align. Really? I didn’t even consider the second one. It didn’t cross my mind at all. But that’s so interesting
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How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
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