How Koreans Welcome the New Year Differently
In Korea, the New Year feels less like a party and more like a quiet reset.
It’s not just about fireworks or countdowns.
It’s about age, food, and starting over with a clear mind.
One of the most well-known Korean New Year traditions is eating tteokguk, or rice cake soup.
Traditionally, Koreans say you “gain one year” after eating it.
Age here isn’t just a number — it’s connected to time, respect, and social roles.
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Tteokguk itself is simple but meaningful.
The soup is usually made with a rich beef bone broth.
Soft rice cakes are added, along with egg garnish and dried seaweed.
It’s warm, comforting, and intentionally plain — a dish meant to welcome a fresh start 🍲.
For many families, sharing this meal together is more important than the recipe itself.
Another New Year tradition is watching the first sunrise of the year.
On January 1st, people wake up early and head to sunrise spots across the country.
Beaches, mountains, and coastal viewpoints quickly fill with crowds 🌅.
As the sun rises, people silently make wishes, reflect on the past year, and think about
what they want to change.
It’s a calm moment, shared with strangers who are all hoping for a better year ahead.
What makes the Korean New Year feel special is the mood.
There’s no loud celebration.
Instead, there’s a sense of reflection — about age, time, and personal responsibility.
Eating tteokguk, watching the sunrise, and setting quiet intentions all feel connected.
It’s less about celebrating what you achieved,
and more about deciding how you want to live moving forward.
For foreigners, these traditions may feel simple.
But once you experience them, you realize how deeply they shape the Korean way of
starting a new year 🙂.
