Red Day, White Day, Black Day - Love Related Days in Korea

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This Saturday, 14 March, is White Day - an important day of romance in Korea. Men take heed - this is the day you can't afford to forget if you want your romance to go smoothly!

The 14th Day of each month is a love-related day in South Korea, although many of them are somewhat obscure, the 14th days of February, March and April are very well known. From early February, we begin to see special chocolate and confectionary offering in almost every store, including coffee/donut shops, department and convenience stores, etc.

However, contrary to the practice in many countries around the world, Korea men are not expected to remember this date – here, it’s the women’s responsibility. The men get their turn in March. Another difference between Korea and many Western (especially) countries, is that the gift giving is generally limited to unmarried people in their 20’s.

On Friday 14 February, Korean women give chocolate to men. At one time, a gift of homemade chocolate was a clear ‘you’re the one’ message. Over the years, other small and large (expensive) gifts have been added to the list. However, a recent survey by a matchmaking company (and reported in the media) reveals that men’s wish lists have changed, in part due to the current economic climate. Apparently, the majority of respondents would prefer to receive cash this Friday, followed by those wanting a practical gift. Only about 7% said they’d like to receive chocolate. Many indicated that they’d love to have their girlfriend cook a meal for them, while the biggest group said they’d be happy with a kiss. Flowers and unpractical gifts such as ‘paper dolls’ etc. were among the unwanted items.

March 14 is called White Day and is when men are expected to reciprocate with non-chocolate candy to the woman/women who remembered them the previous month. Consequently, you’ll see all kinds of candy offering in all of the same places as you saw chocolate in February.

If you are an unmarried 20-something and you didn’t receive anything on either 14 February or March, you can join other singles at Chinese restaurants around the country to eat black bean paste noodles (jjajangmyun짜장면).

For the curious, the other 14th love-related events are reported to be:
January: Candle Day; May: Rose Day, June: Kiss Day, July: Silver Day, August: Green Day, September: Music Day, October: Wine Day, November: Movie Day, and December: Hug Day. There’s also Pepero Day on 11 November when young couples (and others as well) give each other Pepero cookies, which are chocolate sticks (11/11).

For now, happy red, white and black days to everyone!

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