COUPLES DAYS
12 days of fun loving
Did you know that mid-month is a day for couples in Korea? I just found this out. As much as we grouse about having to celebrate certain days that we're positive were created by Hallmark (a fact they deny vociferously), imagine 12 days a year dedicated to couples! As with our holidays in the West, retailers and other merchants are keenly aware of these couples holidays.
January 14th: Diary Day
A day when both friends and lovers exchange blank diaries (or sometimes just blank pages). A variety of these journals are sold for just that purpose.
February 14th: Valentine's Day
Like the way we celebrate it in the West, only in reverse: the women give the men candy. A more traditional version is found in our next entry...
March 14th: White Day
When the men give the women gifts and candy. This is much more like our traditional Valentine's Day in the west. The day was designated to pay back the women for Valentine's Day. White chocolate began being manufactured for the occasion, and the rest is history.
April 14th: Black Day
The only 14th day dedicated to singles. On this day, singles eat jajangmyeon (noodles with black soybean paste), wear black, and complain about being single.
May 14th: Yellow Day / Rose Day
This is the time when flowers are blooming, so naturally this would be Rose Day. Couples are supposed to dress in yellow and give each other bouquets of roses. Just in case you didn't get enough noodles on Black Day, singles are supposed to stuff their faces with curry. Hmm...get roses or eat curry...does it sound weird I prefer the curry?
June 14th: Kiss Day
Do I really have to explain it? People also tend to start new relationships this way, and former crushes get turned into OTPs. Of course, lipstick and breath mints see sales boosts during this time.
July 14th: Silver Day
This fine day is when couples give each other silver rings and discuss marriage and other future plans. They're sort of like engagement rings or promise rings, but a tad different. Probably the one time when "We need to talk about our relationship" is something you want to hear.
August 14th: Green Day
No, not a special day dedicated to the k-pop hating band. Instead
this day is dedicated to drinking soju (basically Korean vodka made from rice) and taking a romantic walk in the woods. Why Green? Because of the color of the bottle. August 15th should be designated Hangover Day.
September 14th: Photo Day / Music Day
October 14th: Wine Day
Another day where singles get to participate, too. Couples drink wine and dine in a romantic setting. Singles drink until they forget they're single. And you thought singles would have to eat something else :)
November 14th: Movie Night
Big night where everyone heads out to the movies and the theaters are packed. DVD Bangs (private rooms for viewing DVDs) can contain groups, but are often rented by couples seeking a bit of privacy as often you're still living with parents by the time you're dating. You know that tall guy that sat in front of you and you had to be a contortionist in order to see the movie screen? Yeah, he'll be there.
December 14th: Hug Day
Hug Day wraps the year up on a warm note. Couples spend the day hugging each other, the sight of which probably makes the singles probably even sadder than they already are. No special foods are prescribed for this day either, although I'm betting the bars fill up a bit more on this day.
And, though I'm American, when I found out they do this I thought this a great idea. Maybe take a weekend or something close to the middle of the month and dedicate it to just you and your sweetheart. And if you are single, maybe go hunting for a date on that day. You may be pleasantly surprised that your crush actually likes you, but you never knew til now. Now that you've learned about couples days, you have nearly a month to plan for your special hug day in December (for singles, grab a friend)!
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