#10: Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Korea

December 24, 2024

In this festive episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we explore how Korea celebrates Christmas and New Year, blending global customs with uniquely Korean traditions. From romantic Christmas dates to the meaningful rituals of New Year, you’ll gain insights into the joy and reflection these holidays bring in Korea.

Whether you’re curious about how Koreans spend Christmas or want to learn about 새해 (Gregorian New Year), this episode is packed with stories, vocabulary, and cultural tidbits to enrich your language learning journey.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Christmas in Korea:

How Christmas is more of a social or romantic holiday in Korea.
Popular customs like visiting 크리스마스 마켓 (Christmas markets), exchanging 선물 (gifts), and enjoying special meals with loved ones.

New Year Traditions in Korea:

새해 (saehae, Gregorian New Year)
Unique customs like watching the 해돋이 (first sunrise) and visiting 사찰 (temples) to make wishes for the new year.

Key Vocabulary for the Holidays:

크리스마스 캐럴 (Christmas carols)
불꽃놀이 (fireworks)
소망 (wish)
And more!

TOPIK Focus:

Practice listening with a short holiday dialogue about Christmas and New Year plans.

Personal Stories:

Hear a nostalgic story about hearing Christmas carols on the streets of Korea years ago, and how traditions have evolved today.
A listener’s memorable experience celebrating New Year in Korea.

Engage With Us!

What’s your favorite holiday tradition, whether it’s Christmas, New Year, or something else? Share your story in Korean! Use the vocabulary and phrases you learned in this episode and post it on Instagram with #TOPIKandBeyond. Don’t forget to tag @korean.joa—we’d love to feature your reflections in the next episode!

If you enjoyed this episode:

Leave a review and rate the podcast—it helps more Korean learners discover us!
Share this episode with a friend who loves Korean culture or is learning the language.

Episode Transcript

안녕하세요, 여러분! Welcome to TOPIK & Beyond, the podcast where we explore the beauty of Korean language and culture while helping you grow on your learning journey.
The holiday season is here, and in today’s episode, we’re diving into how Christmas and New Year are celebrated in Korea. From romantic dates under twinkling Christmas lights to setting resolutions and watching the first sunrise of the year, there’s a lot to explore.
Stay tuned to learn all about these unique traditions and pick up some essential Korean phrases along the way!
[Intro Music]

안녕하세요, 여러분! Welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond. I’m your host, Eliza, and I’m so excited to talk about Korea’s Christmas and New Year celebrations in today’s episode.
While the holidays might look a little different in every culture, they share the same warmth, joy, and hope for the future. In Korea, Christmas and New Year each have their own unique twist that blends global traditions with distinctly Korean customs.
Let’s start with Christmas.
한국에서 크리스마스는 종교적인 명절이라기보다는 낭만적이거나 사교적인 명절로 기념되는 경우가 많아요. 많은 사람들에게 크리스마스는 커플이 특별한 데이트를 하거나, 선물을 교환하거나, 아름답게 장식된 카페와 레스토랑에서 식사를 즐기는 날이에요. 또한 조명 축제를 방문하거나 아늑한 모임에서 친구들과 저녁을 보내기도 합니다.
So, Christmas in Korea is more or less celebrated as a romantic or social holiday rather than a religious one. For many, it’s a day for couples to go on special dates, exchange 선물 (seonmul, gifts), or enjoy festive meals at beautifully decorated cafes and restaurants. It’s also popular to visit light festivals or spend the evening with friends at a cozy gathering.
그리고 새해가 되면 많은 사람들이 새해 결심을 하고, 가족 식사를 즐기거나, 일출 (해돋이)을 봅니다. 어떤 사람들은 사찰을 방문하여 좋은 한 해를 기원하는 반면, 어떤 사람들은 불꽃놀이와 카운트다운 파티로 축하합니다. 이는 글로벌과 한국의 영향이 혼합되어 있음을 보여주죠.
Now, when it comes to New Year, or 새해 (Saehae), many people set 결심 (gyeolsim, resolutions), enjoy family meals, or watch 해돋이 (haedodi, the first sunrise of the year) for good fortune. Some people visit 사찰 (sachal, temples) to make wishes for a good year ahead, while others celebrate with fireworks and countdown parties—showing the blend of global and Korean influences.
What makes these holidays so special in Korea is this beautiful mix of modern celebrations and meaningful traditions. Whether it’s Christmas as a time for love and connection or New Year as a moment for introspection and goal-setting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In today’s episode, we’ll explore the customs and activities that make Christmas and New Year in Korea so unique, learn holiday vocabulary and phrases, and even share some personal stories to bring these traditions to life. Let’s get started!
1. Christmas in Korea
For many Koreans, Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones—especially couples. It’s common for 연인 (yeonin, romantic partners) to go on special dates, exchange 선물 (seonmul, gifts).
Another popular activity is visiting light festivals, where cities and parks are adorned with breathtaking Christmas lights. It’s a magical experience and a perfect backdrop for photos or just soaking in the holiday atmosphere.
Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without 크리스마스 마켓 and 크리스마스 캐럴.
여러분, 제가 어렸을 때 이야기를 잠깐 해 볼게요. 20년 전만 해도 크리스마스가 다가오면, 길거리에서 크리스마스 캐럴이 많이 들렸어요. 그때는 사람들이 크리스마스 장식이나 카드 같은 걸 사려고 가게나 거리에서 많이 쇼핑했거든요. 그런데 요즘에는 온라인 쇼핑을 더 많이 하잖아요. 그래서 예전처럼 크리스마스 분위기가 길거리에서 많이 느껴지지는 않아요. 하지만, 큰 도시에서는 요즘 유럽 스타일의 크리스마스 마켓을 열어요. 그곳에서는 따뜻한 음료도 마시고, 크리스마스 장식이나 선물을 살 수도 있어요. 예전과 지금은 다르지만, 크리스마스의 설렘은 여전히 느껴지는 것 같아요.
And here are some key vocabulary words related to Christmas in Korea:
* 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu): Christmas
* 크리스마스 캐럴 (keuriseumaseu kaereol): Christmas carol
* 크리스마스 트리 (keuriseumaseu teuri): Christmas tree
* 크리스마스 마켓 (keuriseumaseu maket): Christmas market
* 선물 (seonmul): Gift
* 장식 (jangsik): Decoration
* 연인 (yeonin): Romantic partner or couple
* 카드 (kadeu): Card
* 눈사람 (nunsaram): Snowman
* 빛 축제 (bit chukje): Light festival

2. New Year Traditions in Korea

Now, let’s talk about New Year traditions in Korea, which come in two forms: 새해 (saehae, Gregorian New Year) and 설날 (Seollal, Lunar New Year). 오늘은 새해에 대해서만 이야기 할게요.
새해, 또는 양력 1월 1일은 새로운 시작을 준비하는 시간이에요. 많은 사람들이 이 날을 가족과 함께 보내며 결심 (gyeolsim, resolutions)을 세워요. 보통 새해에는 특별한 가족 식사를 하거나, 불꽃놀이 (bulkkotnori, fireworks)를 보면서 자정까지 카운트다운을 해요. 한국에서 특별한 새해 전통 중 하나는 해돋이 (haedodi, first sunrise)를 보는 거예요. 새해 아침, 많은 사람들이 산, 바닷가, 또는 전망대에 가서 해돋이를 봐요. 태양이 떠오르는 모습을 보면서 새로운 시작을 기원해요. 아주 아름답고 뜻깊은 경험이에요.
또 다른 새해 활동으로는 사찰 (sachal, temples)을 방문하는 것이 있어요. 사람들은 사찰에서 새해 소원을 빌고, 소망 (somang, wish)을 종이 또는 나무 판에 적어서 걸어 둬요.
새해는 새로운 희망과 시작을 생각하는 특별한 날이에요. 여러분은 새해에 어떤 계획을 세우고 싶으신가요?
Here’s some vocabulary to help you talk about New Year traditions:
* 새해 (saehae): New Year
* 양력 (yangnyeok): Solar calendar
* 결심 (gyeolsim): Resolutions
* 가족 (gajok): Family
* 불꽃놀이 (bulkkotnori): Fireworks
* 카운트다운 (kaunteudaun): Countdown
* 해돋이 (haedodi): First sunrise of the year
* 산 (san): Mountain
* 바닷가 (badatga): Beach
* 전망대 (jeonmangdae): Observation point
* 새로운 시작 (saeroun sijak): New beginning
* 아름답다 (areumdapda): Beautiful
* 뜻깊다 (tteutgipda): Meaningful
* 사찰 (sachal): Temple
* 소망 (somang): Wish
* 종이 (jongi): Paper
* 나무 판 (namu pan): Wooden plaque
* 소원을 빌다 (sowoneul bilda): To make a wish
* 희망 (huimang): Hope
* 계획 (gyehwek): Plan
* 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo): Happy New Year

What’s your favorite holiday memory, whether it’s Christmas, New Year, or another celebration? I’d love to hear your story—share it with me on Instagram using #TOPIKandBeyond and tag @korean.joa!
TOPIK Focus – Listening Practice with a Holiday Dialogue
Welcome to this week’s TOPIK Focus! Since we’ve been talking about Christmas and New Year traditions, let’s practice understanding a dialogue about holiday plans. This time, I’ll make it a bit more challenging to help you push your Korean skills further.
Listen carefully and try to catch the main ideas, and don’t worry—I’ll break it down and explain everything afterward!
________________

A: 크리스마스 계획은 세웠어요? (Keuriseumaseu gyehweokeun sewosseoyo?)
Did you make any plans for Christmas?
B: 네, 가족들과 함께 저녁을 먹으면서 선물을 교환할 거예요. (Ne, gajokdeulgwa hamkke jeonyeogeul meogeumyeonseo seonmureul gyohwanhal geoyeyo.)
Yes, I’ll have dinner with my family and exchange gifts.
A: 좋네요! 새해에는요? 특별히 하고 싶은 일이 있어요? (Johneyo! Saehae-eneunyo? Teukbyeolhi hago sipeun iri isseoyo?)
That sounds nice! What about New Year? Do you have anything special you want to do?
B: 해돋이를 보러 강원도에 갈까 해요. 그리고 사찰에도 들러서 새해 소원을 빌 예정이에요. (Haedodireul boreo Gangwondoe galkka haeyo. Geurigo sacharedo deulleoseo saehae sowoneul bil yejeong-ieyo.)
I’m thinking of going to Gangwon-do to see the sunrise. And I also plan to stop by a temple to make a New Year’s wish."
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Vocabulary Breakdown
Did you catch the key ideas? Let’s break it down step by step.
1. 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu): Christmas
* Example: 크리스마스에 뭐 할 거예요?
(Keuriseumaseu-e mwo hal geoyeyo?)
What are you doing for Christmas?
2. 파티 (pati): Party
* Example: 친구들과 파티를 할 거예요.
(Chingudeulgwa patireul hal geoyeyo.)
I’m going to have a party with my friends.
3. ~을/를 하다 (~eul/reul hada): To do [an activity]
* This is a useful structure for talking about activities.
* Example: 파티를 하다 (patireul hada): To have a party
4. 새해 (saehae): New Year
* Example: 새해에는요? (Saehae-eneunyo?): What about New Year?
5. 해돋이 (haedodi): Sunrise
* Example: 해돋이를 보러 갈 거예요.
(Haedodireul boreo gal geoyeyo.)
I’m going to go see the sunrise.
6. 보러 가다 (boreo gada): To go see [something]
* This structure is used when you’re going somewhere with the purpose of seeing or experiencing something.
* Example: 영화를 보러 가다 (yeonghwareul boreo gada): To go watch a movie.
________________

Now it’s your turn! Can you describe your own holiday plans in Korean?
Try creating a short dialogue similar to the one we just practiced. For example:

A: 크리스마스에 뭐 할 거예요?
B: 가족과 함께 저녁을 먹을 거예요.
I’m going to have dinner with my family.
Practicing like this is a great way to build confidence in conversational Korean.
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That brings us to the end of today’s episode, where we explored Christmas and New Year customs in Korea. We talked about how Christmas is a fun and romantic holiday here, with traditions like exchanging gifts, visiting light festivals, and enjoying special meals with loved ones. We also looked at New Year traditions, 새해 (Saehae, Gregorian New Year) not 설날 (Seollal, Lunar New Year), and unique customs like watching the 해돋이 (haedodi, first sunrise) or visiting 사찰 (sachal, temples) to welcome the year with good fortune.
Along the way, we learned some holiday vocabulary, including 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu, Christmas) and 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo, Happy New Year).
How do you celebrate Christmas or New Year? Try writing a sentence or short story in Korean and share it with us! You can post it on Instagram using #TOPIKandBeyond and tag @korean.joa. I’d love to hear about your holiday traditions and see how you’re using the vocabulary from this episode!
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Thank you so much for tuning in to this festive episode of TOPIK & Beyond. Your support means the world to me, and I hope this episode has inspired you to learn more about Korean holiday culture and practice your language skills.
Next week, we’ll wrap up the year with a reflective episode on setting goals for language learning in 2025. If you’re ready to plan your best year of Korean learning yet, you won’t want to miss it.
Until then, 메리 크리스마스, and as always, 즐거운 학습 되세요 (Jeulgeoun hakseup doeseyo, happy learning)!

#10: Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Korea

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

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