What is your favorite Lunar New Year memory?

Interviewed and written by Jang Dong Ha, Kim Dae-young, Choi Shin-ae, Jung Yun-hee

Jang Dong Ha (24)

I went to Jung Dong Jin on the East coast to see my first sunrise with my family. I had never previously witnessed a sunrise, so I was excited to see one. In my memory, there were so many people waiting for the sunrise. When the sun rose, they shouted for joy and wished each other a happy New Year. This refreshing experience gave me hope for what was to come.

Kim Dae-yong (31)

The Fireworks. My mother had three sisters and six brothers that all married and had children around the same period, so I have many cousins close to my age. We have always set off fireworks every Lunar New Year even though many uncles and aunts tried to prevent us. As time has passed, nowadays, all of our families enjoy the fireworks whenever the Lunar New Year comes. It has become our New Year tradition.

Choi Dong-jun (26)

My family used to visit my grandfather’s house every New Year where my father’s cousins and my cousins get together. I will never forget this time in my childhood. My cousin is an only child. We are very close to each other though we only see each other a few days out of the year. We played on a seesaw and a slide in the playground. I remember we all dressed up in colorful hanbok. The next morning, we ate ddeokkuk and shared many other dishes.

Yun Hee (22)

When I was seven years old, my family went to my father’s hometown to celebrate Lunar New Year. On the way there, my brother and I saw a very big dog in the rest area, so we wanted to be close to the dog. We plucked up our courage and began to tease the dog. Then, suddenly, the dog chased my brother and bit his arm. My parents were surprised and called 119. After the medical treatments, we arrived at my father’s hometown. I will never forget that day. I am sure my brother will not either.