Week 59: 100-day

In Korea, 100-day anniversaries are a biggie. 100-days after a baby is born, a huge celebration (and huge wall portrait of baby) takes place. This is because historically, Korea had a lot of disease and death. Many babies died before their 100-day and sadly, stillbirths were frequent.

The 100-day spills over into other arenas as well. Whereas American couples celebrate their first date monthly, semi-annually, or annually (depending on the couple. In my case, every month is worth celebrating =D), Korean couples anticipate the 100-day and celebrate in a big way; it’s not uncommon to exchange rings. 100, 200, 300, and 1000-days are also celebrated. Personally, counting up all those days is too much trouble. After 100 days, I’ll stick to celebrating each month’s date since becoming ‘official.’

Couples have lots of other days to celebrate, too, besides the 100-day or annually. A rundown, to name a *few*:

• January 14: Candle & Diary Day
• February 14: Valentines Day
• March 14: White Day (see prior blog for info)
• April 14: Black Day…for singletons to hopefully meet someone whilst sadly hovering over their black plate of jajangmyeon noodles
• May 14: Yellow/Rose Day…also for the singletons to eat (yellow) curry or be given a rose. I guess singletons are supposed to eat their heart out!
• August 14: Green Day
• November 11: Pepero Day
• December 25: Christmas – Koreans celebrates this mostly as a HUGE couples day.
• Birthdays
• One year anniversary

To get more detail behind each celebration: http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2006/0106/fe7-1.htm

Week 49: Black Day, White Day, Valentines Day

Each country has variations of certain things; one such thing being Valentines day. If you’re thinking, “Hello, that was two months ago Phoebe!” No worries…I always bring it back around.

Valentines Day. February 14th. Unlike in the USA where gifts are exchanged between people, in South Korea Valentines Day is a time for women to show their appreciation to their honey. Dudes just kick back and enjoy being showered with love.

White Day. March 14th. Specific to South Korea. Dudes: Don’t think you’re were getting off the hook – It’s payback time! The guy is suppose to give their girl little candies. Personally, I prefer something a little more personal than candy, but I have no room to complain since I didn’t get anything anyways!

BLACK DAY. April 14th. As if Valentines isn’t already depressing enough (if you’re single)…and if you don’t get any ‘candies’ on White Day, this day is for the misfits, the loners, the left out…it was my day. Black Day is for those who received nothing. These people go eat Jajamyeon, aka Black Noodles. I personally love these noodles so will find any reason to grub on them. Black day happened to fit the Bill.

————————————————

Now, I would like to make a clarification. Valentines Day some (ex) special person was lucky enough to get showered with tokens of love. However, since I received no gift, Black day is still for me. So, want noodles?