“Chuseok in Korea, Family, Traditions and the Great Traffic Jam”
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Chuseok: Korea’s Harvest Festival Beyond Food and Family
When autumn arrives in Korea, the whole country prepares for Chuseok, one of the nation’s most beloved traditional holidays. Often compared to Thanksgiving in the United States or the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon shines at its fullest and brightest.
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| Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon shines at its fullest and brightest. |
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| Chuseok |
Table of Contents
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The Meaning of Chuseok
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Ancestral Rites and Family Bonds
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The Taste of Tradition: Songpyeon and More
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The Great Traffic Jam
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Changing Times
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A Holiday of Identity
The Meaning of Chuseok
Chuseok is not just a holiday—it is a cultural anchor. Rooted in agrarian society, it began as a harvest festival where people gave thanks to their ancestors and nature for a successful year. Today, it has evolved into a symbol of family unity and Korean identity.
In 2025, Chuseok comes with an unusually long holiday period, giving Koreans a chance not only to spend time with family but also to travel, recharge, and sometimes even head overseas.
Ancestral Rites and Family Bonds
One of the most unique aspects of Chuseok is the practice of Charye—ancestral rites performed in the family home. A table is filled with carefully prepared food: rice, soup, fruits, traditional pancakes, and the iconic Songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes). Each item is placed with precision, following centuries-old customs.
For outsiders, it may appear highly ceremonial, but for Koreans, it represents respect for heritage and the belief that family ties extend beyond generations. It is both solemn and heartwarming, reminding people that they are part of a larger family story.
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| One of the most unique aspects of Chuseok is the practice of Charye—ancestral rites performed in the family home |
The Taste of Tradition: Songpyeon and More
Food is at the heart of Chuseok celebrations. Songpyeon is steamed over pine needles, giving it a fresh aroma and symbolic meaning: just as the half-moon grows full, so too will one’s future be filled with blessings.
Regional variations also add color. In Jeolla Province, families enjoy hearty pancakes and seasoned vegetables, while in Gyeongsang Province, the food tends to be bolder in flavor. In today’s era, modern twists appear as well—vegan Songpyeon, simplified holiday meals, and even online delivery services for those far from home.
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| Songpyeon is steamed over pine needles, giving it a fresh aroma and symbolic meaning |
The Great Traffic Jam
Perhaps the most striking sight for foreigners during Chuseok is not the food or the rituals, but the mass migration. Known as the “Great Chuseok Traffic Jam”, highways are packed with cars as millions return to their hometowns.
A journey that normally takes four hours from Seoul to Busan may stretch to twelve. Train tickets sell out within minutes, and airports are overflowing. For Koreans, it is almost a shared ritual: enduring traffic jams with snacks, music, and conversations, all in the name of family. For foreigners, it may look like the world’s largest annual road trip.
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| “Great Chuseok Traffic Jam” |
Changing Times
While traditions remain strong, Chuseok is also adapting. Younger generations sometimes skip ancestral rites, seeing the holiday more as a chance to rest or travel. Online memorial services have emerged, and many families choose to simplify rituals, focusing more on quality time together.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these shifts, as video calls and online food delivery replaced in-person gatherings. Even so, the core of Chuseok—family, gratitude, and reflection—remains unchanged.
A Holiday of Identity
Chuseok is more than just a holiday; it is a mirror of Korean values. It shows the deep importance of family, respect for ancestors, and the joy of sharing food. At the same time, it highlights modern realities such as traffic jams, consumer culture, and even debates over tradition.
For foreigners, understanding Chuseok is like holding a key to Korean society. It explains why family remains central, why travel peaks in autumn, and why food and rituals carry meanings far beyond taste.
As the bright full moon rises over Korea during Chuseok, millions of families will bow, laugh, eat, and perhaps complain about traffic—but all of these moments together define the beauty of this unique festival.