{"id":50302,"date":"2023-03-08T13:00:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/?p=50302"},"modified":"2025-03-12T17:43:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T08:43:28","slug":"what-is-white-day-in-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-white-day-in-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"What is White Day in Korea?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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White Day in Korea <\/b>(<\/span>\ud654\uc774\ud2b8\ub370\uc774<\/span>, <\/span>hwaiteu-dei<\/span><\/i>), is a holiday that follows Valentine’s Day and is celebrated on 14 March. On 14 February, it is customary among Korean couples for the woman to give the man chocolate as a gift. In the following month, it is the man’s turn to return the gift and give his beloved a present. In this article, we explain the origins of White Day in Korea and how people celebrate it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The origins of White Day in Korea<\/h2>\n

White Day is a commercial holiday that originated in <\/span>Japan<\/b>. Confectionery companies focused on publicising a way to reciprocate the kindness received by women on Valentine’s Day and this custom gradually caught on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initially, it was referred to as <\/span>Marshmallow Day<\/b>, because the \u201cdesignated\u201d gift was marshmallows. Since they were white, the holiday later changed its name to White Day, and people began to give not only marshmallows, but other white sweets as well, where white colour is reminiscent of purity. This holiday then spread to other Asian countries, such as South Korea, Taiwan and China.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays, the custom of <\/span>giving white sweets <\/b>during White Day in Korea still persists among many, but it is not limited to that. Many men also choose to give milk or dark chocolate, or some would even give gifts that are not confectionery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hearts<\/div>\n
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How people celebrate White Day in Korea<\/h2>\n

White Day in Korea can be an occasion for couples to go out on a special date, just like Valentine’s Day. While for those not officially dating yet, it can be an opportunity for men to declare their love. Either case, on this day it is <\/span>the<\/b> man who gives the woman a gift<\/b>,<\/span> and not the other way around. Women, in fact, have already made the decision the month before.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a good custom, if one received something on Valentine’s Day, to <\/span>return the favour<\/b> so that the gift given is three times the value of the one received. As mentioned, the gift tends to be white chocolate or other white-coloured sweets, but nowadays, not everyone sticks to this rule \u2013 many opt for sweets of a different kind, or they may even combine them with other gifts, such as flowers or jewellery, depending on how serious the relationship is between the couple.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Themed-badges<\/p>\n

Useful White Day-themed vocabulary<\/h2>\n

If you want to celebrate White Day in Korea, it might be useful for you to know a few related terms. Let’s start with those related to <\/span>gifts<\/b> first (<\/span>\uc120\ubb3c<\/span>, <\/span>seonmul<\/span><\/i>):<\/span><\/p>\n