There's a Korean holiday for single people?! 🙈😝

And it's called WHAT?! 😳

2023. 2. 17.

Teugether Today

Korean Holidays
AMA Part 2!

❤️ Hello Everyone~! ❤️

Hope you’re all having a great weeeekkkk~ Are you guys enjoying Teuida’s contents these days and keeping up with your Korean learning?! I hope so! I’ve received a lot of good feedback about the recent newsletters and also TONS of questions. 😍

This week, I’ve decided to have a little mini lesson about some Korean ~holidays~

(in honor of valentine’s day just passing) and then end the newsletter with

some answers to your questions! Let’s get started! 😎

So we all know about Valentine’s Day right?! ❤️ While the holiday itself isn’t Korean, it is celebrated in Korea on a pretty big scale! But did you guys know something interesting? It’s not the only love holiday we have! Let me tell you about: White Day! 😊

White day is on March 14th, exactly a month after Valentine’s Day! You might ask me: But why have two holiday’s related to love?! As if one isn’t enough? Well, get this guys, Valentine’s day and White day are separated by gender. Weird right?!

In Korea, Valentine's day is when the girl gives chocolate or a gift to the boy and White day is vice versa! 😎

While Valentine’s day is definitely celebrated on a bigger scale, White day is taken pretty seriously too! As far as how they are celebrated, it is basically the same! ❤️Partners will go on a date or give each other chocolates and gifts while some single people may use the day to confess their feelings to their crush! 😁 Unfortunately, some of you may have missed the opportunity on Valentine’s day BUT fear not because White day is still coming up next month. 😜

Want to hear something even funnier?! We also have a holiday for single people. 🤯Those of you who know, know BUT it is called ...Black day!

Black day is celebrated on April 14th, exactly a month after White day. But why is it called black day? Because it represents sorrow and mourning. It is a day when single people come together and mourn their single-ness… But hey! It’s not all that sad because it is also tradition to eat Jjajangmyeon, or black bean noodles, on this day! It is known as a comfort food and it’s so yummy. SO, if you guys miss your chance on Valentine’s day and White day...you know what I’m going to say right?!

You still got Black day so don’t worry about it !!!! ❤️

Now, let’s answer some questions that you guys had for me!

Q1. Hi Sherly, I'm just curious because you wrote in the most recent Teuida newsletter that you shouldn't pour your own alcohol in Korea. But what if you're drinking alone? Isn't it common for people to drink alone as well? Do you have to wait for a bartender or server to pour a drink for you? Or do you mean you shouldn't pour your own drink only if you're drinking with other people and this doesn't apply when you're alone? 🤔

Answer: Hi! Thank you for asking this, I should have clarified that this rule only applies to social contexts! If you’re drinking alone you absolutely don’t have to wait for someone to pour your drink for you! You can go ham and pour as much as you please!!!

Q2. Foreigners using Korean Names? I've noticed it seems to be mostly foreigners that think this is rude. From my own logic it seems more respectful and easier for language purposes which leads to the next question. If I use my English name, how would others refer to me that aren't close to me? My last name is super long so would they just use my first name and -씨? If I use a Korean name, wouldn't choosing a surname be...problematic since there's such a deep history to surnames, clans, etc? So the same question, would they just use the first name I choose? Can you have a Korean name on your alien id?

Answer: Okay so lots of good questions here! I thought I would answer this in detail just because it is a pretty sensitive topic and I’d like to give my two cents! Firstly, there are a lot of foreigners who have Korean names (just for nickname purposes but not an official name ofc). I don't think this is necessarily problematic at all as long as you live in Korea or have a reason to need a Korean name. However, when it is just an aesthetic or obsession that causes people to do this–that is when it gets problematic.

As for the last names, I would avoid giving yourself a last name for the exact reason you mentioned! Also, if your English name is super long, you can always just shorten it to an easier one and tell people that name. I don’t see any point in getting rid of your beautiful name and replacing it with a Korean one because as long as the shortened version is relatively easy, people should have no trouble with it just because it’s not Korean. And yes, they will probably omit the last name, which is totally fine and not limited to only foreign names. Lastly, your alien card will have your official government name (the one on your passport) so no, it cannot be in Korean. Hope this helped :)

Q3. . Are there any signs in English (street signs, subway, shops)?

Answer: Since I’ve answered the complicated ones, I chose a simple one this time.. Hehe Yes! There are signs in English pretty much everywhere. Almost all the signs will have Korean and English writing both–especially in public transport! As for shops, this is usually case by case because some areas will have more English than others!

What do you want to hear about? 😃 AMA!

Before ending this newsletter, I'd like to hear from you guys what you'd like to read about in these weekly newsletters! Since everyone has different requests for the newsletter, I've decided to create this form to keep track of them all 😊 Please fill this out if you'd like to hear about something specific ❤️

Send me questions that you want me to answer in the next newsletter !!!

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