The Meaning of New Year's Blessings Fades... Economic Burden Grows
Campaigns Emerge Amid Spreading Culture of Sebaetdon Comparison and Competition
During the Lunar New Year holiday when the whole family gathers, many people complain about the burden of giving sebaetdon (New Year's money). There are also complaints that the culture of showing off sebaetdon through social networking services (SNS) is causing negative side effects. China, which faces similar concerns as Korea, has seen an increase in people expressing the burden of sebaetdon, prompting local governments to launch campaigns to encourage saving on sebaetdon.
During Korea's Lunar New Year holiday, China celebrates its biggest festival, the Spring Festival (Chun Jie) from January 28 to February 4. While Korea has sebae (New Year's bow) and sebaetdon, China has bai nian (拜年, New Year's greetings) and hongbao (紅包, red envelopes). Elders receive bai nian and give sebaetdon in red envelopes inscribed with characters such as fu (福, fortune), ji (吉, luck), and cai (財, wealth) to younger family members.
In China, debates over the appropriate amount of sebaetdon continue just as in Korea. Sebaetdon was traditionally a cultural practice to wish family members blessings and health for the new year, but recently, a competitive culture among children comparing the amounts of sebaetdon has spread, causing economic burdens on ordinary people.
An image of the 'Standard Amounts of New Year's Money by Region' recently shared on China's Weibo. Weibo
On the Chinese SNS 'Weibo,' a map image titled 'Regional Sebaetdon Guide' showing appropriate sebaetdon amounts is being shared. The appropriate amount in Fujian Province ranks first at 3,500 yuan (about 690,000 KRW), followed by Beijing at 3,000 yuan (about 590,000 KRW), and Shanghai at 1,800 yuan (about 350,000 KRW). Guangdong Province has the lowest amount at 50 yuan (about 10,000 KRW). Considering that the average monthly salary of Chinese university graduates last year was 6,050 yuan (about 1,190,000 KRW), sebaetdon in certain regions like Fujian can be a significant burden.
Faced with growing sebaetdon burdens, local governments have rolled up their sleeves. According to reports from Hong Kong Ming Pao and others on the 19th, Baise City in Guangxi Province is campaigning to limit sebaetdon amounts to about 20 yuan (about 4,000 KRW) or less and to restrict giving sebaetdon only within immediate family members. Guidelines have also been issued regarding lavish banquets. Counties such as Gulin in Sichuan Province and Xianfeng in Hubei Province have issued advisories to refrain from unnecessary celebrations such as holiday parties, housewarming ceremonies, and 60th birthday parties, except for weddings and funerals.
The situation in Korea is similar in that sebaetdon is also a burden. As sebaetdon has become a means of showing off and competition among children, adults are increasingly concerned about the amount of sebaetdon to give.
According to a survey conducted by SK Communications (SK Comms) through 'Nate Q' targeting 3,795 adults asking 'How much sebaetdon is appropriate?', 38% preferred '50,000 KRW,' and reflecting the high inflation era, 7% responded that it should be '100,000 KRW or more.'
Among respondents, 36% (1,388 people) said they would 'neither give nor receive sebaetdon' due to economic burden. This response increased by 7 percentage points compared to 29% last year.
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