Which Country Has the Longest Chuseok Holiday? Japan Ranks 1st, What About Korea? [AK Radio]

Vietnam, Where Chuseok Is Like 'Children's Day'
MZ Generation Severely Stressed by Holidays

Chuseok is fast approaching. In Korea, Chuseok is an important traditional holiday that falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a time to visit hometowns and spend time with family. To celebrate this holiday, it is a long-standing custom to prepare food and perform ancestral rites. Chuseok, which commemorates the harvest with traditional foods like songpyeon, is not only a time for Koreans to unite with family but also a moment to conclude the year's farming and express gratitude. However, this Chuseok culture is not unique to Korea. Neighboring countries such as China, as well as Japan, Vietnam, and the United States, have similar holidays with customs that differ yet share common elements.

Changes in Korean Chuseok and the Evolution of Holiday Culture

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Korea, Chuseok has traditionally symbolized abundance and gratitude, where families gather to share foods made from fresh fruits and grains and perform ancestral rites to pray for a bountiful harvest. Chuseok is symbolically associated with the full moon rising on that day, and Koreans have a tradition of making wishes while gazing at the full moon. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, although some regions are expected to be cloudy this year, the full moon will still be visible in many areas.

With the Chuseok holiday period extending, there has been a surge in people planning overseas trips. According to a survey released by Incheon International Airport, 11% of respondents said they plan to travel abroad during this Chuseok holiday. This is the highest figure since 2020, with nearby Japan and Vietnam being the most popular destinations. Japan recorded a 31% response rate due to its proximity and rich tourist resources, while Vietnam was favored by 18% of respondents.

China's Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncake Culture: A Day to Celebrate Abundance

Wolbyeong, the Chinese Songpyeon

China, Korea's close neighbor, calls its Chuseok equivalent the 'Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋?, Zhongqiu Jie),' which also falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. However, the way the holiday is observed differs slightly. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is designated as a three-day holiday from September 15 to 17, shorter than Korea's Chuseok holiday. During the festival, people share mooncakes, a traditional food similar to songpyeon, with various fillings inside and a round wheat flour exterior. Unlike Korea's songpyeon, mooncakes vary in taste depending on the ingredients and are regarded more as commemorative foods rather than widely preferred snacks.

At one time, mooncakes were even used as bribes in China. High-end mooncakes from luxury brands sparked significant controversy as they were exchanged as expensive gifts. With brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany producing premium mooncakes, these treats became symbols of social status rather than just festive foods. However, with the recent economic downturn in China, mooncake consumption has declined, along with sales of festive liquors like Maotai. Analysts attribute this trend to the economic difficulties and the government's anti-corruption policies.

Holiday Customs in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan

Taiwan also celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival similarly to China but designates only one day as a holiday. In Taiwan, people rest only on September 17, and it is common to return to daily life immediately after the festival. Hong Kong celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival like China, but the public holiday is set for the day after, September 18. Since the festival day itself is not a holiday in Hong Kong, it has become traditional to enjoy festivities late into the night and rest the following day.

Japan's Chuseok is called 'Obon (お盆)' and falls on August 15 of the solar calendar. The Obon holiday period runs from August 13 to 16 each year. Japan is the country with the longest holiday period during harvest festivals or Thanksgiving-like celebrations worldwide, followed by Korea and China. Korea's Chuseok holiday spans three days before and after the day itself. If it coincides with Sundays or other holidays, substitute holidays are granted, ensuring at least three days off. China also has about a three-day holiday but does not guarantee substitute holidays if the festival overlaps with other holidays. Consequently, Korea enjoys the second-longest Chuseok holiday period in the world.

During Obon, Japanese people visit ancestral graves to pay respects and spend time sharing meals with family. In September, there is another holiday called Respect for the Aged Day, during which Japanese people traditionally take time off and spend time with family.

Vietnam's Chuseok: A Holiday for Children

Vietnam celebrates Chuseok under the name 'T?t Trung Thu,' a holiday to celebrate the harvest. However, unlike Korea or China, Vietnam's Chuseok has become a holiday dedicated to children. To honor the many war orphans from the Vietnam War, then-President Ho Chi Minh designated Chuseok as a children's holiday, a tradition that continues today. During this time, foods and toys favored by children are prepared in abundance, and festivals and games for children are held. Chuseok celebrations are conducted on a national scale, with schools organizing various events. However, Chuseok is not a public holiday in Vietnam.

This year, however, the atmosphere around Chuseok is subdued due to the severe human casualties caused by Typhoon Yagi across Vietnam. Many schools and institutions have redirected their Chuseok budgets to donations and are focusing on disaster recovery efforts. With the death toll and missing persons reaching 300 due to the typhoon, many people are refraining from celebrating Chuseok and concentrating on flood recovery.

Thanksgiving in the United States: Time with Family

Thanksgiving in the United States shares a similar character with Korea's Chuseok. Celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is an important holiday for Americans to gather with family. During this time, Americans prepare traditional foods such as turkey and share meals with family members to express gratitude. The day after Thanksgiving is known as 'Black Friday,' a major shopping event where many Americans enjoy discounts. This period marks the start of year-end preparations, emphasizing the importance of spending time with family.

Thanksgiving originated as a traditional holiday based on America's agricultural background, but today it has evolved beyond merely celebrating the harvest to become a holiday that strengthens family bonds. During the holiday, families across the U.S. come together, providing an opportunity for relatives who usually live far apart to reunite.

Changes in Korean Holiday Culture and Holiday Stress in Modern Society

On the 8th, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, the full-scale homecoming battle began as vehicles crowded the southbound lanes toward Busan on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Seoul, causing traffic congestion. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

Holiday culture in Korea is also changing. Traditionally, Chuseok involved performing ancestral rites with family and spending time with relatives gathered after a long time, but now it is undergoing many changes. Especially among younger generations, the holiday is often seen as a stressful period. According to a survey by Samsung Card, 9 out of 10 people prepare gifts or pocket money for Chuseok, with the most common expenditure ranging between 100,000 and 300,000 KRW. However, these preparations bring both joy and burden.

The MZ generation experiences the greatest stress from questions related to marriage, employment, and appearance. Family members gathered during the holiday ask about marriage and jobs to express concern and interest, but for those questioned, it can be a significant burden. For this reason, many young people avoid visiting their hometowns or choose to work part-time or study during the holiday period, with such cases increasing.

According to a survey by Alba Heaven, 8 out of 10 part-time workers said they would work during the Chuseok holiday, and 64% planned to work their usual hours. The reasons for choosing to work during the holiday include not only economic burdens but also the desire to avoid holiday-related stress.

The Importance of Kind Words and Consideration Among Family During Holidays

Holidays are originally a time for exchanging kind words and fostering harmony among family members, but in modern society, they can also be sources of conflict and stress. Especially among younger generations, questions about marriage, employment, and appearance cause significant stress, and many prefer to avoid such questions. Therefore, kind words and consideration among family members become even more important during holidays. Although there is a big difference between words people want to hear and those they do not, ultimately, smooth communication among family members is essential for Chuseok to become a true occasion for harmony.

Not only in Korea but also in many countries around the world, holidays are precious times spent with family. Understanding the holiday customs of various countries and re-examining the meaning of holidays in modern society will play an important role in restoring family relationships. As Chuseok approaches, it is hoped that everyone will spend time with their families in their own way, sharing warm words and meaningful moments together.

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