Valentine’s was a couple of weeks ago but lots of people have asked me whether Koreans celebrate Valentine’s day, the short answer is… yes! But in a different way to us.

In Korea, on Valentine’s Day, girls give chocolates to boys NOT the other way round. Girls can also give chocolates to their friends and, as I was happy to discover, teachers! Unlike in western cultures the gifts aren’t reserved solely for loved ones with girls giving chocolates to friends, co-workers, teachers and students. On Valentine’s day at my school the chocolate was flying around everywhere. If you are a chocoholic like me it was one of those days where you really wanted to be teaching you favourite students in the hope of adding to your chocolate stash.

There is another day on March 14th called White Day where the boys have to return the favour and give gifts to those who gave to them on Valentine’s Day. Originally the return gift was supposed to white chocolate or marshmallows hence the name White Day.

In Korea single people, or unit solo (솔로부대), are not forgotten. There is another day called Black Day on April 14th where those who did not get anything for Valentine’s Day or have anyone to give to on White Day gather together and eat Jajangmyun (짜장면)  (Korean noodles with black bean sauce) and commiserate their singledom!

* Posted by j150vsc on 23/02/2007.