Everyone who lives in Korea both native and foreign loves the three day September public holiday that is Chuseok, but what is it? And how did it start?
Chuseok stands for Harvest Festival and according to popular belief it dates back to the Kingdom of Silla (57BC to 935AD). Similarly to European harvest festivals Chuseok involved prayers to Gods and ancestors, celebration, feasts and games.
These days Chuseok is still a time of celebration where most Koreans head back to their hometowns and villages and visit their families. Generally thanks are made to ancestors, gifts exchanged and food is eaten, the most popular food being Songpyeon (송편) which is a thick and chewy rice cake similar to Tteok (떡).
Please have an enjoyable Chuseok from Modern Seoul Magazine.
Modern Seoul 