Did you know that every month Koreans set a date to carry out an activity or exchange gifts between couples? In this article, we will see the 12 days of Valentine’s in South Korea.
For many couples, Valentine’s Day is a special day to express their love for each other. It is a day to exchange gifts, go on romantic dates, and spend time together.
The Japanese celebrate Valentine’s Day in February with Valentine’s Day, March with White Day, and mainly Christmas as a kind of Valentine’s Day. There are other dates, but nothing like in Korea.
We also recommend reading:
- Valentine’s Day and White Day – Valentine’s Day in Japan
- Origin and Meaning of the Korean Heart
- Saranghae – Various ways to say love in Korean
Table of Contents
January 14 – Diary Day
On this date, couples and friends give each other diaries to note important dates and memories. A great way to start a new year.
This date also marks Candle Day, where people gift each other with scented and decorative candles.
We also recommend reading: How do Koreans find their perfect match? Relationships in Korea
February 14 – Valentine’s Day
In both Japan and Korea, the custom on February 14 is for women to give men chocolates, which can be store-bought, homemade, or from confectioneries.
In Korea, it’s not just romantic love that is celebrated on February 14 – friendships are also important. Don’t be surprised if you receive a small gift from a close friend on Valentine’s Day.
This custom is believed to have started in England during the 18th century. At that time, it was common to gift loved ones with chocolates, letters, bouquets, and more.
March 14 – White Day
On White Day, boys who received chocolate have the chance to reciprocate and respond to the girl’s feelings by giving white chocolate or another gift.
There are many ways to celebrate White Day in Korea. Common gifts include flowers, chocolates, and jewelry. Many couples take this opportunity to have a romantic dinner or go on a special outing.
White Day is also celebrated in Japan and China. This date originated through marketing by a Japanese candy company.
Interestingly, March 14 always falls on a Friday. Globally, this date refers to the value of Pi π, which is 3.14159… Mathematicians often celebrate this date at 1:59.
On March 3, people usually eat pork to celebrate Pig Day.
April 14 – Black Day
This day is not celebrated by couples. On Black Day, singles go out alone or in groups to eat a black bean noodle called jajangmyeon.
They wear black clothes, as if mourning their single status. It is a fun day to spend with other single friends.
May 14 – Rose Day
On May 14, Rose Day, it is a special day to gift your loved one with roses, usually the most popular are yellow roses.
Yellow roses are the main choice because this date is also called Yellow Day, where people usually dress in yellow, and singles eat curry because it is yellow.
Yellow roses symbolize jealousy, and there is even a certain fear of gifting people with yellow roses. But this fear is not a concern on May 14. Of course, you can gift roses of other colors.
The meanings of roses in Korea are:
- Red roses: Passionate love
- Pink roses: An adoption of love
- White roses: Respect, purity
- Blue roses: Miracle
- Lavender roses: Everlasting love
June 14 – Kiss Day
Another date to generate profit for the country. On Kiss Day, couples affirm their feelings and kiss passionately.
Public displays of affection are discouraged in Asia, in countries like Korea and Japan, but Kiss Day gives couples a chance to break free from this social norm.
We recommend reading: Best Kisses in Anime – List of Couples
July 14 – Silver Day
On this day, couples exchange gifts made of silver, many use the opportunity to exchange silver rings with their names engraved.
On this day, it is common for couples to introduce their relationships and present their partners to relatives and friends.
August 14 – Green Day
On this day, couples usually go out to relax in nature, some tend to wear green clothes. It is a day to appreciate the landscapes of forests, mountains, natural parks, and gardens.
It is also a day for singles, where the custom is to drink Soju, a rice distillate similar to vodka, usually sold in green bottles.
September 14 – Photo Day
Koreans love taking photos and making videos, but we also have Photo Day on September 14, where couples usually go out to take those special photos on a romantic date.
Photography studios and photo booths are very popular on September 14. During this date, karaoke rooms are also popular among couples.
We recommend reading: Purikura – All about the famous Japanese photo booths
October 14 – Wine Day
Every day is a day to drink wine, but on October 14, the Wine Day occurs, perfect for couples to have a romantic dinner with a bottle of wine. Singles also tend to drink on this date to drown their sorrows.
The origin of Wine Day can be found in past harvests. Many wine festivals began to be held in October and November when the grapes were harvested. Another theory says that this date was chosen because the God of Liquor, in Greek mythology, made a sacrifice.
November 14 – Cinema Day
The cinemas are crowded on this day, but couples also rent movies, exchange DVDs as gifts, or go to a movie room, which accommodates a small group like karaoke rooms.
The origin of this date is uncertain, but the changing of the autumn leaves is a special occasion to watch romantic movies with your partner, or if you are single, with friends.
November 14 also marks Cookie Day, where confectionery companies market to gift beloved relatives. On the 11th, Pepero Day, a famous Korean chocolate stick, takes place.
December 14 – Hug Day
The Hug Day was created to increase intimacy between people; hugs are frequent, especially with loved ones. It is also a perfect opportunity for dates and gift exchanges.
On this day, civic groups hold events to hug people. This date was created in 1986 by American Reverend Kevin Javorni with the aim of comforting people through a hug.
During Christmas, it can also be the perfect opportunity for romantic dates in Korea. This date in Japan is considered the true Valentine’s Day, not much different from Korea.
We recommend reading: Christmas in Japan – How do the Japanese celebrate Kurisumasu?
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