By YooHyun Um

A few days ago, I was talking to my mother over the phone. At the end of our conversation, she reminded me that I should call my grandma Tuesday because it is ChooSeok.

Korean Thanksgiving is called ChooSeok or Han Ga We and the date is always Aug. 15 on the lunar calendar, but it changes every year on the regular calendar. The purpose of ChooSeok is similar to the American tradition that celebrates Thanksgiving.

According to historical documents, ChooSeok originated around 2,000 years ago and continues today as one of the main holidays in Korea.

The holiday is celebrated for three days, but the most celebratory day is the second. For example, this year’s ChooSeok, is on Tuesday, so Monday and Wednesday are also considered part of the holiday.

Koreans believe that their ancestors are looking after them, so on the morning of ChooSeok Koreans perform ancestral rites to show their thankfulness to their ancestors.

The food used for ancestral rites comes from the harvest, which includes fresh vegetables, fruits and grains.

During these ancestral rites, Koreans wear their traditional dress called HanBok. After the ancestral rites, Koreans eat a hearty breakfast with their families and visit their ancestral tombs.

The food is really special because it has just been harvested. The most popular food is a rice cake called SongPyun. It is made by steaming together boiled rice and different kinds of grains.

Koreans believe that if a woman can shape SongPyun into a pretty design, she will get a good husband. SongPyun is one of the sweets that children and adults love to eat during ChooSeok.

During the holiday, it is common that the father’s entire side of the family stays either at the grandparents’ or the eldest son’s house.

During ChooSeok, a full moon appears. According to Korean tradition, if you go out, make a wish to the moon — and believe in it — then it will come true.

When I was in Korea, ChooSeok was one of the most exciting holidays because I got to see all of my family members at the same time.

My grandmother, mother and aunts would prepare food together and my grandfather, father and uncles would get ready for the ancestral rites. We spent two or three nights together at my grandma’s house to celebrate ChooSeok, so it was really good family bonding time.

We played a game called YutNoRi (game of Yut) which is a traditional Korean board game with four sticks. Each team casts the sticks in turn, and whichever team finishes first wins the game. It was my favorite game because everyone got to participate, and you just need good luck to win it.

I also enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in America. When I first heard about a huge turkey I couldn’t believe it. After seeing the turkey, I was shocked at its size.

Cooking only one meal seemed strange to me; however, playing games and having a fun time together with family was very familiar.

I love the unique experiences of Thanksgiving in both Korea and the United States, and I would be happy to try another country’s Thanksgiving traditions as well.

Filed under: Opinion by Justin Roth