The New Year's Eve in Korea it is celebrated in the same way as in Italy and in other parts of the world… except that, in reality, the real Korean New Year would not be January 1st! Yes, because the Koreans following the lunar calendar, Chinese, celebrate Seollal which this year will fall on January 22-23. Despite this, Korea has also adapted to the solar calendar and many Western traditions and events are now also organized for the night of December 31st. But if we toast and exchange a kiss at midnight, in Korea is celebrated with a dawn greeting.
WHERE TO ADMIRE THE SUNRISE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN KOREA…
Many Koreans head to the higher mountains or the east coast to see the first sunrise, as they believe that the wishes made while watching the first sunrise of the year are the most powerful. The beach of Jeongdongjin, on the east coast of Korea, it can be reached from Seoul in a couple of hours, so many take the train at night to get to the sea just before sunrise. There are two major dawn festivals in Gangneung: the Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival and the Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival.
FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
If you don't want to rush to chase the sunrise to make a wish, but are looking for classic Western celebrations with music and fireworks, then in Seoul you will find everything you need. At the Lotte Tower it is celebrated with a grandiose fireworks display. Colored lights explode from the tower.
Otherwise, more fireworks are exploded from the COEX a Gangnam, or along the river Han. Furthermore a Gangnam e Itaewon numerous parties are organized in the most famous and popular discos and clubs.
WHAT ABOUT A ROMANTIC NEW YEAR IN KOREA?
Even on New Year's Eve, like a Christmas, amusement parks are all the rage among couples, as they are considered romantic ways to start the new year together. The most popular is obviously the Lotte World. But for the more romantic and wealthy, hotels also offer special packages, including dinner and a decorated room.
Around the city of Seoul there are several concerts on the night of December 31st: one of the most famous is certainly the one that takes place at the shopping center Times Square. The mall is one of the largest in Seoul, it opened in September 2009 and has an atrium on the first floor with two bridges and a central space so large that it gives the possibility to organize musical events with K-pop stars, street markets, magic shows and the annual countdown on New Year's Times Square.
NEW YEAR IN TRADITIONAL KOREA
If, however, you are looking for something with a more traditional flavour, then you must hear the sound of the bell Bosingak, which is located not far from the central building of Gyeongbokgung.
Although the modern version of the New Year bell ringing ceremony began after the 1950-53 Korean War, its history dates back to the Joseon era (1392-1910). In the period of the Joseon dynasty, in fact, the bell was rung every day, when the gates of the Seoul fortress were opened and then closed. In the Buddhist period, however, the monks rang the bell for the well-being and peace of the people and the country. They played it in the 33 heavens ruled by Jeseokcheon, the Buddhist deity Sakra. The current version therefore dates back to that of 1953, a few months after the end of the war, and adopts the Buddhist tradition.
Every New Year's Eve, at the stroke of midnight, this bell is rung 33 times by around ten people who have distinguished themselves during the year because they have done something important for Korea. The ceremony has been held annually since 1953. The ringing of the bell greets the old year and is an expression of hope and anticipation for the new one.
Tens of thousands of people will gather outside in the cold, after two years of stopping due to the pandemic, to witness the spectacle of the 33 tolling of the bell and then the fires shot into the sky. You can also watch from home, as the event will be broadcast on TV via YTN. It will also be broadcast live in the square Gwanghwamun and in the square of Dongdaemun Design, in the center of Seoul, to avoid overcrowding in the pavilion.
We highlight the celebrities invited to ring the Bosingak bell:
- OH Sehoon (Mayor of Seoul)
- Kim Hyunki (Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council)
- Jo Heeyeon (Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education)
- JEONG Moonheon (District Head of Jongno-gu Office)
- KOO Sookjeong (ROK Military Police Widows Association Seoul Branch Director)
- KIM Joonkyung (Gangnam Fire Station Fire Chief)
- CHOI Youngjin (Volunteer traditional music performer)
- KIM Dongjoon (Seoul Welfare Award Grand Prize Winner of 2022)
- Nguyen Thi Dam Ting (Vietnamese, Seoul Volunteer Award Grand Prize Winner of 2022)
- LEE Sangyool (Director of Korea Aerospace Research Institute)
- JUNG Eunhye (Caricaturist and Actress)
- KIM Taekyun (Comedian and Radio MC, PR Ambassador for Seoul Metropolitan Government Since 2017)
- CHO Gue-sung (Korean National Soccer Team)
- PARK Jiwon (Korean National Short Track Skating Team)
CHO Gue-sung, after distinguishing himself in the world championship in Quatar, we guessed it 😀 And do you know and follow any of these characters? Were you expecting more?
We at Kotaᆯia we take advantage of the article to wish all the best to all the Koreans who on January 1st will celebrate one year older, apparently, for the last time (but to find out more, don't miss the next articles).
Fabiana
credit info: T. Lim
Photo credit: depositphoto – author YAYImages