Chuseok (chu-sock) is a special holiday celebrated in South Korea on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. This year Chuseok fell on the 3rd of October to the 5th. You could say it’s equivalent to Western celebrations like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

When you think of the holidays, what is your initial thought(s)? I predict that over 70% of the population are over the moon, elated, bouncing off the walls, and leaping for joy, even if they don’t celebrate the major public celebrations.

Come on, let’s keep things simple: First things first, a victory shimmer is needed for the sheer fact that for a few consecutive days there will be no reason to set your alarm. (Snooze button, it’s been nice tapping you). When you finally decide to wake up at ‘non-judgemental hour o’clock’ you have the freedom to ‘Netflix and Chill’; staying in bed all day and only moving to handle business in the bathroom. Oh! And one must remember the importance of engaging the brain and socialising, so frequent meet-up with family and friends is essential.

But what about the other 30%? How do they feel about the holidays? Is it all positivity and weight-gains? I asked three Korean women their honest feelings about Chuseok.

’For me, Chuseok is bittersweet; I’m a single old Korean woman. It’s funny because I only feel lonely around this time of the year although I’m spending time with my family. All of my siblings are married and have children; when it’s time to take individual family pictures, “Where do I fit in?” However, I am also the bridge that brings the older and younger generations together, which makes me happy’’. – Park Younju

“I remember a few years back when my family and I were travelling to my husband’s hometown, Jeonju, which normally takes 7 or 8 hours during the holidays, however this particular year we were stuck in traffic for 15 hours!!!! 진짜*? Really, Rachel?!?! (The horror on her face would have made for a great meme – priceless). When I was younger I really liked the holidays; I received new clothes and pocket money, but after marriage, my feelings have changed. As a married woman, I have to do so much hard work; I have to prepare and serve traditional Korean foods and wash up. I am very, very tired. I just want to go home and relax after Chuseok.” – Sue Jeong (49)

“During Chuseok, most Korean men do nothing. (Lol!) They travel to their hometowns to see their families; their mothers and wives serve them food and alcohol. If I had the chance to switch roles with my husband, I wouldn’t because I don’t have the typical Korean woman’s Chuseok experience. Some of my friends are unhappy, tired, and angry during Chuseok as they have to do so much work: cooking, cleaning, and following the instructions of their mothers-in-law… So you know, after Chuseok, the divorce rates are high. Women are stressed.” – Hyo Jung Yoon (32)

진짜*? – REALLY?

Now being someone who loves love, I was startled by the fact that ‘holiday stress’ is causing 808’s and Heartbreaks**, so Iris and I did some research. She was not lying . . .

December 27th 2016 data showed that “divorce applications were filed on average every day on New Year’s Day and 10 days before and after Chuseok. The average number of divorce applications per day for the past year was 298, 1.9 more than the normal divorce application.”

Where is the love?

For most Korean women, the holidays are not all fun, games, and Netflix. However, no matter how kimchi-ed out Korean women are around the holidays, the significance of family is not lost. Family is paramount. There is no doubt that love is the force that pumps blood via the family unit; supplying men with the vital oxygen and women with the essential nutrients to ensure happiness is scribbled all over children and loved one’s faces!

*진짜? – Really?

**808s and Heartbreaks – Kanye West’s fourth studio album (2008)

Contributed by: Rachel Cassiline Pinnock

Edited by: Kaily Long