December 31 is celebrated worldwide, and the transition into a new year is significant in every culture. However, the way it is celebrated varies from country to country.
It can be said that Korea, like other Asian countries, celebrates the New Year twice. The solar New Year on December 31 and the Lunar New Year, 설날 (Seollal), whose date changes each year (28 Jan to 30 Jan this year).
Without a doubt, 설날 holds much more significance in Korea than December 31. While most Koreans continue to work until December 31 and return to the office on January 2, they have three days off for 설날. December 31 remains a symbol of renewal but 설날 is an opportunity to strengthen family bonds, honor ancestors, and wish for luck, prosperity, and health in the year ahead.
So, while in France I was usually off from December 24 to January 2, here I continued working until the 31st. A new cultural shock quickly followed when, around noon, I saw the entire team in the open office stop working to… clean the office. Initially taken aback by what was happening, I joined in. It allows for a big cleanup, leaving 2024 behind, welcoming 2025 in good conditions, and most importantly, doing an activity together.
The whole team then gathered around a Korean BBQ to enjoy the last moments together before saying goodbye to 2024. I particularly enjoy these shared meals (회식, hoesik). In France, I would have lunch with a few colleagues, but full team meals were rare. Every Korean has their opinion about 회식, but personally, it allows me to get closer to people I don’t necessarily work with every day and, most importantly, improve my Korean skills.
And midnight, then? As for me, I didn’t do the countdown. I preferred to sleep in order to enjoy another of the main New Year activities in Korea: watching the first sunrise of the year (일출, Ilchul).
2024 was a year that marked a turning point for me. I didn’t intend to leave 2024 behind but to reflect on everything I had accomplished, on the foundations I had managed to build. From a Working Holiday Visa to enjoy myself in Korea, I found a stable job in my field, I was given a chance, I was trusted, and I was offered a life I never thought I would have. I am starting 2025 in Korea with a work visa, a job that I love and a life that I am ready to build.
So, I was fully inclined to welcome 2025, to embrace this new year with as much, if not more, than the last. At 5 a.m., I dressed warmly, heated up several hot packs, and set off toward Achasan Mountain (아차산). This mountain is famous for its “Sunrise Park,” where you can admire stunning sunrises over the Han River and the skyscrapers of Seoul.
I expected to see some people, but not this many. I was impressed by the hundreds, even thousands, of people who, at 6 a.m., started climbing the mountain by lantern light, guided by the many police officers and guards ensuring the safety of the procession.
Couples, families with children, elderly people… everyone was there with one goal: to see the first sunrise that marks the renewal of a prosperous new year. It was also my very first real hike since moving to Korea, and it taught me one thing: considering all the people, children, and elderly who passed in front of me while climbing, I need to write 'work out more' on my 2025 goals list.
Breathless, I reached the summit. Since I came alone, I was lucky to be able to slip between the groups and find a spot with a beautiful view of Lotte Tower. The wait began. I arrived at 7 a.m., but the sunrise was expected at 7:47 a.m. With my headphones in, I tried to isolate myself from the noise of the crowd and reflected on the year that had passed and the one to come.
At 7:47 a.m., the sun peeked out from behind a slightly cloudy sky. The sunrise from previous years may have been more spectacular, but this one means a lot to me, it was my first one in Korea. Despite the clouds, the sun still managed to break through Seoul's skyline, much like 2025—this year may not always be without clouds, but it’s important to focus on those moments of light.
Happy New Year
Bonne année
새해 복 많이 받으세요
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