Happy Pepero Day

Once the Christmas trees have been brought down and the New Year’s celebrations are over, the holiday shelves make room for the fun and frivolous holiday February has to offer. Ornaments and party poppers are replaced with boxes of chocolate, red roses, and candied hearts. You all know the holiday of which I speak: Valentine’s Day. For us living in the West this happens once a year and couples and friends alike jump on board by purchasing various sweets and cards. However, here in the East this frivolous and fun tradition of sentiment and attention happens once, sometimes twice, a month. Here, in Korea the 14th of every month is considered a “couple’s day”, each month possessing a different theme. Around the first of each month, the new posters and products hit the shelves and remain there until about the 17th. Here is a list of monthly couple’s holidays:

- January 14th: Diary Day. To celebrate the New Year, couples are supposed to buy each other planners. The idea is that together they can mark down the significant plans, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays that are important to their relationship. Eric, what are those dates again?

- February 14th: Valentine’s Day. Don’t get this confused with how we do things in the West. Valentine’s Day in Korea is a day for a woman to confess, or show, her love to a man. On this day, it is solely the women who are buying gifts and treats to give.

- March 14th: White Day. Now it’s the man’s turn. This is the day when men can show their love and appreciation for that special lady in their life. Quite frankly I think it is unfair since the man received his gift the month prior, he knows exactly how much effort he needs to put in. For both of these days expect hotels to be booked up in advance. Since most people live with their parents until they are married, this is the only way for the couples to get some alone time and potentially see some action…wowza!

- April 14th: Black Day. Basically for the 11 months of the year when couples get a special day, Korea decided it needed to throw its single population a bone. Black Day is when singles get to publicly complain about how miserable and lonely they are. To commemorate this day, singles get together and eat black noodles (ramen noodles covered in a black bean sauce). If you are single you are supposed to dress in black, in turn letting other singles know you are available…Korea you are so clever!

- May 14th: Rose Day. The idea here is that couples exchange roses. My question is, just one? What happens if you give more? Is the number of roses directly related to how much you love the other person?

- June 14th: Kiss Day. Before you get carried away thinking how sweet this is, listen in. The idea here is that you kiss everyone you meet on this day. So do they really mean for this to be “here’s-a-free-pass-to-get-out-of-your-relationship Day”. Because I’m pretty sure if Eric went around locking lips with everyone he met in one day, I might be a bit peeved.

- July 14th: Silver Day. The couples who survived Kiss Day can show how strong their bond is by buying each other something silver. Now I know my mother could get behind this one.

- August 14th: Green Day. No, not green as in environmentally friendly. Green as in the color of soju (liquor) bottles. The idea is that couples escape to nature to spend time with one another while the remaining single people of this country drown their sorrows in a bottle, or two, of booze. So while you may be fine and fancy free drinking your soju tonight, tomorrow you’ll not only be lonely and miserable again, but you’ll have the hangover to prove it.

- September 14th: Photo Day. This is a time for vain couples to take photos together, get them printed, and put them on display in their houses. Keep in mind it would most likely be your parents’ house.

- October 14th: Wine Day. Buy a bottle, or two, of wine and enjoy it with your significant other. Foreigners be warned: Korean wine is terrible. Expect to shell out the big bucks for an imported bottle.

- November is twice as nice, giving you two couples days this month!
o 11th: Pepero Day. For all you non-Koreans out there, Peperos are sweet, thin bread sticks dipped in chocolate. You buy this in various sizes and flavors and exchange them with your sweetheart. This is extremely popular among friends and colleagues as well.
o 14th: Movie Day. Go to the local theater and watch a flick with your significant other. I’ll say it now, I’m not going. I refuse to try to watch a film with the rest of the theater is sucking face around me…gross!

- December 14th: Hug Day. On this day, give your partner a big ol’ hug. I think the idea is to show how much you love each other, but let’s be honest it’s cold in December. If I’m hugging anyone in public it’s because I need to warm myself up.

So there you have it, the thirteen romantic holidays of Korea. Consider this my Pepero Day gift to you.
XOXO

**Note: I have the best students. When I arrived to work today (Pepero Day) I had five boxes of Peperos waiting for me. Today’s score: my students 5, Eric 0. Just saying ;)