Christmas in Korea and France
Lee SuYeon(Sophie)
Do you know that Korea’s Christmas and western’s Christmas have differences? They do have differences, but they have similar parts too. They both decorate something but in France and Korea they decorate completely different things. In France, they decorate castles and houses, and Koreans decorate Christmas trees.
To start, France’s Christmas culture is to decorate castles and houses. Long ago Jesus did kind things, but some people didn’t like Jesus, so they made fake news to make Jesus to die. The French believe in Christianity and Christians believe in Jesus because he did miracles. Christmas is Jesus’s birthday, so Christians celebrate Christmas seriously, also there are castles that are made for Jesus.
Next, Korea decorates Christmas trees and makes a festival. In the amusement parks, they do special celebrations or other popular places decorate their place and host a festival. Some places get a big Christmas tree and decorate it so that people can see. Most of couples go to the Christmas tree to take pictures.
Lastly, Korea and France have similar ways of celebrating Christmas. They decorate things like Christmas trees or castles, and houses. France decorates castles and houses for Jesus but Korea decorates Christmas trees. Also, both give presents to children.
In conclusion, French Christmas and Korean Christmas have differences but they have similarities too. France decorates castles and houses at Christmas and Korea decorates Christmas trees and makes a festival. However, French Christmas and Korean Christmas decorate something. French Christmas and Korean Christmas have differences and similarities.
Hangul Day
Cha JeongEun (Diana)
What is your favourite celebration? Around the world, there are many celebrations, and most people’s favourite celebration is different. So this time, I will talk about my favourite celebration and its history, and why I like it.
So, my favourite celebration is Hangul Day. First, I will talk about what Hangul is. Hangul is the writing system of the Korean language, So you guys will use Hangul most of the time. because you guys are korean. The letters in the korean alphabet are called Jamo. There are 19 consonants and 21 vowels in the modern alphabet. Their first name is Hunminjeongeum.
Second, before Hangul was made, people in Joseon Korea used classical Chinese. But many had difficulty in learning classical Chinese. So King Sejong made Hunminjeongeum secretly, He then showed it to servants. The servants didn’t like it because they were using classical Chinese. But King Sejong showed Hunminjeongeum to people, And servants didn’t use Hunminjeongeum, But many people used Hunminjeongeum. But when Japan ruled Korea. Japan made it so people couldn’t use Hunminjeongeum. The Hangul research institute changed Hunminjeingeums name to Hangul, and did research about Hangul. And in 1928, they made Hangul Day.
Finally, I will talk about why my favourite celebration is Hangul Day. Hangul is the writing system of the Korean language. It is very easy to learn. So I am very proud and thankful to Hangul and King Sejong. Hangul Day is also my birthday, So this is why Hangul Day is my favourite celebration.
Christmas in Korea vs. Christmas in America
Hwang JungWook (Jason)
Christmas is all about loving and sharing. Wearing warm sweaters, decorating a tree, and having a special dinner with family and friends are common ways to celebrate Christmas, especially in America. But not every country celebrates the same way. Let’s find out some differences between Christmas in Korea and Christmas in America.
Christmas is the major religious holiday for Christians. Americans celebrate Christmas together with their families. But Korean Christmas is less about family and more about couples and lovers. It is considered the most special day of the year for romantic dates.
Another Christmas difference is the food eaten. Usually, Americans have traditional Christmas dinner with their families. Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and eggnog. But since Koreans do not celebrate Christmas as a family tradition, there is no special traditional food for Christmas in Korea. Instead, young Korean couples usually celebrate Christmas with a decorated Christmas cake.
Sharing gifts is also a difference between the two countries. In America, people share Christmas gifts with family and friends. But giving Christmas presents is not a common thing in Korea. Usually, in Korea, only children get gifts from parents or Santa Claus.
So whether you’re in Korea or America, it is clear that everyone has their own style for celebrating Christmas. But in both countries, Christmas is the most anticipated holiday of the year and celebrated with the same spirit of loving and sharing. Just enjoy Christmas!
Buddha’s Birthday
Seok SiYun(Jessica)
What is your favourite anniversary? I have so many. For example, Christmas, my birthday, etc. But my favourite day is Buddha’s Birthday! Almost every holiday, I get some nice presents from my loving parents, but on Buddha’s Birthday, I don’t get any. That is one of the reasons why I like Buddha’s Birthday more than any other’s.
My family and I all go to Buddhist temples, and pray for our future. I like this part because I can pray for myself, not for others. Also, while I’m praying, I can feel the peaceful air coming in from outside. We eat rice and vegetables together with our family. I usually eat alone at my academy, but on Buddha’s Birthday, I can eat something together with my big family. For the last part, my family and I all talk with a monk that lives in the temple. It can only happen on May 15th.
Unlike other places, Buddhist temples are located in a deep forest, which are very peaceful and clean. But the best part of Buddha’s Birthday is that any other believers in another religion can join this anniversary for fun, and for clean air. Also, praying for myself with fresh nature can make us recognize more about loving the forest. so, how about enjoying our one-day holiday on Buddha’s Birthday? I’m sure that you can definitely enjoy the time.
Chuseok
Kim Ihn(Isaac)
August 15th of the Lunar calendar is my favourite holiday. This is Chuseok. Chuseok is Korea’s famous national holiday. There are many reasons why people like Chuseok. There are three reasons why I like Chuseok: food, increasing my free time, and the duration of Chuseok is the longest among holidays. Now, I will tell you in more detail why I like Chuseok.
First, I like most kinds of Chuseok food. I usually eat only what one wants, but I eat very well during Chuseok. For example, I like Songpyeon, Ttheokguk, or Jeon. But I don’t eat Songpyeon unless it suits my style. Still, there are few Chuseok foods that I don’t like.
Second, Chuseok increases my free time. Since Chuseok is a holiday, school is closed, so the remaining time can be filled with my playing time. For example, I can exercise, play with other friends, or play games. And I can also enjoy my hobbies.
Third, the duration of Chuseok is the longest among holidays. Usually we are off for three days. And this Chuseok, we are off for six days, because of the following Hangul day.
While writing this article, I had time to study about Chuseok again, I didn’t know Chuseok was this great. I am also proud that great Chuseok is an amazing Korean holiday. I think I did a good job of researching Chuseok this time. I feel proud of myself for writing this article.
Saint Patrick’s Day In America
Lee ChaeRyn (Catherine)
I never thought of Saint Patrick’s Day as an important holiday, until I experienced the huge celebration in America. Although six years have passed since I returned to Korea, the holiday that I celebrated at school was so impressive and memorable that I can’t forget it. All the teachers and students at the school celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day by decorating everything in green, and marched around the entire school.
Green is the main color on Saint Patrick’s Day. So, we decorated ourselves and the school in green. Some students wore green glasses, and others brought green hats and held wands with four-leaf clovers. A few of them painted their face green which was as silly as a green leprechaun. The school hallway and classrooms were fully decorated with green ornaments. I’m not joking, everything was covered in green!
The main highlight of the day was the parade. Every student in the school gathered in the hallway in a line. I was very anxious standing in the middle because nobody told me to stand here. Suddenly, the teachers and students in the front started to march. Then we all started to cheerfully sing and dance! The whole school became energetic as I heard some students shouting “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!”
Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in a foreign country was very unfamiliar to me. But after our whole school became green together, it made me think we all became lucky like a four-leaf clover. Maybe it would be intriguing if Saint Patrick’s Day became a common holiday in Korea too!