Golden Chuseok Brings Joy Across Korea
- Eunyo Hwang
- Sep 17
- 1 min read
Sep 17, 2025
Eunyo Hwang
The Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok, is one of the most important traditional holidays in South Korea. Families gather to honor their ancestors and enjoy a feast of seasonal dishes. It is deeply regarded to gratitude for the year’s harvest and the bonds that gather loved ones.
People are especially looking forward to this year’s Chuseok, since it falls during a “golden holiday.” With the official days overlapping a weekend and a national holiday, many Koreans enjoy an extended break for 9 days. For workers and students, this unusual interval feels like a precious gift in a busy society.
During Chuseok, highways become overcrowded as numerous people head back to their hometowns. Families gather to prepare and share songpyeon, half-moon rice cakes filled with sweet or nutty flavors. They also enjoy traditional games and folk dances to commemorate the holiday.
Many people prefer to take advantage of the long holiday by going abroad and attending various cultural events. Meanwhile, others simply choose to take rest at home. Businesses, tourism places, and shopping areas also see a surge of activity, which could potentially cause the economic boom.
This golden Chuseok is more than just a vacation. It is a precious time for Koreans to remember and celebrate both heritage and unity. Moreover, it encourages people to pause, reconnect, and express gratitude to loved ones.
