It’s a Korean kind of Christmas
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009Christmas in Korea.
Plainly said, Christmas is a ‘friend’ holiday instead of a ‘family’ holiday like it is in America. The opposite can be said about New Years in Korea - it’s a ‘family’ holiday instead of a ‘friend’ holiday like it is in America. No need to complicate matters. Everything else is completely backwards here so why not Christmas, right?
So in this already insanely commercialized country where even chocolate covered pretzel sticks have their own holiday one would assume that Christmas is just as commercial as it is in America. However, one might be surprised that in a country where Christianity is the majority religion, Christmas is not much more important than any other holiday. One could make the argument that 빼빼로데이 is bigger. One would also get pulverized by either candy canes or 빼빼로 depending who’s arguing.
So what about Saint Nick coming down your chimney? Oh yeah…no chimneys here. Well, what about the lumps of coal in your stocking if you’re bad? No stockings over the non-existent fire place…well then surely they kiss under the mistletoe? What do you mean it doesn’t grow here? Well it’s not Christmas without lights a tree…huh? what’s a fire hazard? Coniferous evergreens in short supply you say? For the love… if nothing else, they’ve heard of A Charlie Brown Christmas, right? No? Good grief.
But have no fear. It is a public holiday so most business will be closed. You’ll even see a lively decoration here and there. It also seems that each year is getting more Christmas-y looking. Artificial trees may not be in mass abundance but you can certainly find them. However, gifts under the tree are less in number. One thoughtful gift is much more common than several smaller gifts. Yeah but when I say thoughtful gift we may not be talking about the same thing. An envelope stuffed with cash? Thoughtful gift in Korea. Not rude. Soak that in, stranger.
It makes sense, though. How ethnocentric must I be to expect Korea to celebrate a uniquely Western holiday in the same fashion? Take the good with the bad, I say. At least Korea is safe from harm’s way. Christmas time in America is also the time for ear-piercingly bad Christmas music. Someone a whole lot more funny than me has already dissected just how bad it can be (NSFW but funny as all get out).
I joke but of course Father Christmas is in Korea. Take a look. It’s a bit different and a bit muted, but it’s slowly turning into the over-hyped money-driven holiday that we all know and hate love back in the States. Happy Holidays, y’all.
Thoughts?
Posted by Matthew in How Koreans Do It |
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:12 am
“…a uniquely Western holiday in the same fashion?”
Is there even a “Western Christmas”? I mean, the celebration varies greatly between countries. For example, in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on the 24th; we call it Yule; Santa doesn’t come through the chimney, he knocks on the door and so on through eternity. (Heck, even though Christmas/Yule is considered a “Christian holiday” in Sweden, almost everything related to it dates back to pre-Christian traditions.)
Given that, I half-expected Korea to have it’s own mutated and distorted stress fest.
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:05 am
@ Marten - I couldn’t agree more. Christmas is definitely a unique holiday that has changed drastically over the years and throughout the world. Apparently in Chile, Santa wears shorts.
But since I’m a American, I always make comparisons between Korea and America because it’s what I know. I certainly don’t claim to know everything about both countries, but it’s enough to write about it.
December 24th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I LOVE KOREAN N TAEKWONDO
December 25th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
As someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas (though also someone who has been happy to be a guest at the homes of those who do, as well as to play with friends’ newly-received presents), I can’t speak to the precise differences.
But, I will say this: yesterday (Christmas Eve) I took the bus into downtown Seoul, and I remember seeing a lot of Christmas decorations and big Christmas trees. True, some of them were simply set up by the big department stores, in order to create the contemporary Western subliminal association of Christmas decorations = must buy lots of things. But, some of them were set up by local churches. Also, I’ve seen a few city buses decorated with lots of Christmas decorations (현우 took some photos of a particularly impressive one, and put it on his Send Me to Korea blog).
I think many expats who love Christmas at home will lament that it “just doesn’t feel the same” out here. But, for someone who only celebrates Christmas peripherally, it does feel like the “Christmas spirit” is in the air over here in Seoul.
Merry Christmas!
December 28th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
[…] How Christmas in Korea is different from the West. […]
January 11th, 2010 at 6:17 am
I guess man cannot expect same of everything… actually yes, take the good take the bad as well, kk.. though i still think, - as i am a huuuuuge fan of ANY celebrations, - that westerners need time to swich…
And just still same… one with friends, one with family…. balanced^^…
About the “thoughtful gift”… in my country is also often given just money in an envelope, and its not only not rude, but generally loved by people… My personal opinion about, is, that if someone gives me RIGHT something i really wanted or expected, its happy… but waisting money/time/energy on something what not even makes joy is useless…
So…. not better getting some cash? ^^