Happy New Year 새해 복 많이 받으세요

The New Year of 2026 has arrived

So how do people spend New Year’s Day in Korea?

In Korea, many people welcome the New Year in a special way.

Early in the morning, people go to the east coast or the top of mountains to watch the first sunrise of the year.

While looking at the rising sun, they make wishes for a happy and hopeful year ahead

January 1st is also a public holiday in Korea.

Because of this, many people take a break from work and spend quality time with their families.

One traditional food that Koreans eat on New Year’s Day is tteokguk (rice cake soup)

Tteokguk is made with sliced rice cakes, and it is often cooked with dumplings, beef, and eggs.

In Korea, there is a fun belief that eating tteokguk means you become one year older.

When the New Year begins, Koreans greet each other by saying,

“새해 복 많이 받으세요(Saehae bok mani badeuseyo),” which means “Wishing you lots of luck and blessings in the New Year.”

This greeting is a warm way of hoping that everyone’s year will be filled with happiness and good fortune

iSEODANG sincerely wishes that your 2026 will also be filled with blessings, joy, and happiness.

Happy New Year, and may you receive lots of good luck!

-new year article-