Did you know that in South Korea there are two Valentine’s Day holidays?
In this blog post, we’ll tell you all about a day in South Korea when chocolate factories work more shifts and supermarkets sell ready-made white marshmallows. If you never knew there was a popular holiday called White Day in Korea, let’s learn all about it!
What Is White Day In Korea?
People in South Korea cherish the romantic holiday called White Day, celebrated on March 14th every year, exactly one month after Valentine’s Day. On this day, men traditionally give gifts such as candy, chocolates, or flowers to women who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s Day.
The holiday is known as hwaiteu-dei (화이트데이) in Korean and originated in Japan and later spread to other countries. It’s widely celebrated by couples across South Korea, where many people go on dates, exchange sweet treats, and express their feelings with phrases like saranghaeyo (사랑해요), which means “I love you.”
When Did White Day Originate?
White Day in Korea was first celebrated in 1978 by the National Confectionery Industry Association. It was also known as an “answer day” to Valentine’s Day, when men repaid women for the chocolates and other gifts they had received.
What Are Some Important Gifts On White Day?
Many extravagant gifts are exchanged on White Day in Korea. Chocolate companies market white chocolate, which is considered an essential gift on this day.
White marshmallows are also an integral part of this holiday. In fact, people receive so many marshmallows that this day has been nicknamed “Marshmallow Day.”
The most common gifts on White Day in Korea are:
- Chocolate
- White flowers
- Treat baskets
- Large stuffed teddy bears
- Jewelry
Why Was White Chosen As The Color For White Day?
White was chosen as the color for White Day because it symbolizes purity, sincerity, and innocent love. These meanings fit perfectly with the idea of giving a heartfelt reply to someone who confessed their feelings on Valentine’s Day.
4 Interesting Facts About Korean White Day
Here are some interesting facts related to White Day in Korea:
- White Day is celebrated in countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China, but it is not observed in other parts of the world.
- Only women are expected to give presents to men on Valentine’s Day in Korea, and men receive them and enjoy them throughout the day. Then, on White Day, men return those gifts to women.
- White Day gifts should be expensive, according to the tradition known as Sanbai Gaeshi. This is a Japanese tradition in which the amount of the gift should be at least three times the gifts received from women on Valentine’s Day. Therefore, men frequently give expensive jewelry, clothes, etc.
- One month after White Day, on April 14th, South Korea celebrates Black Day. Single people enjoy their singledom on this day by going out and eating jjajangmyeon (짜장면), a popular Korean noodle dish.
How Do You Say “White Day” In Korean?
In Korean, White Day is called hwaiteu-dei (화이트데이).
This is simply the Korean pronunciation of the English words “White Day.”
Korean words related to White Day
Here are some Korean words and phrases that you’ll probably encounter during White Day:
| English | Korean | Transliteration | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girlfriend | 여자친구 | Yeojachingu | |
| Boyfriend | 남자친구 | Namjachingu | |
| Candy | 사탕 | Satang | |
| I love you | 사랑해요 | Saranghaeyo | |
| Date | 데이티 | Daeti | |
| March 14 | 삼월십사일 | Samwol Sipsail | |
| Bouquet | 꽃다발 | Kkotdabal |
Differences between Valentine’s Day and white day In Korea
Both White Day and Valentine’s Day are romantic holidays and are occasions to exchange gifts among partners, but they have some fundamental differences:
- Valentine’s Day is for girls to give gifts to boys, while White Day is for boys to reciprocate by giving gifts to women who gave them gifts the month before.
- Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th, and White Day is on March 14th.
- Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world, but White Day is celebrated only in Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan.
- There is no requirement to give gifts on Valentine’s Day; whoever is in a relationship and wants to give gifts can do so. White Day is specifically for men to give gifts to women.
Tips For Visitors Celebrating White Day In Korea
If you happen to be in South Korea on March 14, here are a few simple tips to enjoy White Day:
- Bring a small gift if you’re celebrating with someone. It’s common for men to give candy or chocolates to someone they like on White Day. Convenience stores and bakeries usually sell special White Day gift boxes during the second week of March.
- Check out themed displays in stores and cafés. Many convenience stores, malls, and cafés decorate with White Day promotions and limited-edition sweets. It’s a fun way to experience how the holiday is celebrated locally.
- Learn a simple phrase to say to your partner. A sweet phrase like “I love you” in Korean – Saranghaeyo (사랑해요) is something many couples say on this day. Even saying “Thank you” – Gomawoyo (고마워요) after receiving a gift is appreciated.
- Visit a café or go on a casual date. Many Korean couples celebrate by going out for dessert, coffee, or a simple dinner together. Popular areas like Hongdae, Gangnam, or Myeongdong tend to feel especially lively on this day.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Day In Korea
Is White Day Always On March 14th?
Yes, White Day is always celebrated on March 14. It takes place exactly one month after Valentine’s Day and is traditionally when men give gifts to women who gave them chocolates on February 14.
Can You Give Flowers On White Day?
Yes, giving flowers on White Day is perfectly acceptable. While candy and chocolates are the most traditional gifts, many people also give bouquets, jewelry, or small presents to show appreciation.
Why Is White Day Called White Day?
White Day is called “White Day” because white symbolizes purity and sincerity in many East Asian cultures. The holiday was also originally promoted by confectionery companies selling white chocolate and marshmallows.
Where Is White Day Celebrated?
White Day is mainly celebrated in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. These countries adopted the tradition of giving return gifts a month after Valentine’s Day.
Final Thoughts On White Day In Korea
As you can see, White Day in Korea is a fun tradition that turns Valentine’s Day into a cycle of gift-giving and affection. From its origins in Japan to the modern custom of men giving candy, flowers, or thoughtful gifts on March 14, this day has become a special way for couples to show appreciation for one another.
In this post, we explored some useful Korean vocabulary like “I love you” – saranghaeyo (사랑해요), “girlfriend” – yeojachingu (여자친구), and “candy” – satang (사탕), which you might hear or use during the celebration.
Along the way, you also learned about interesting traditions like the gift-return rule, the meaning behind the white color, and how White Day differs from Valentine’s Day in Korea.
Whether you’re planning to celebrate it yourself, visit Korea in March, or simply expand your Korean vocabulary, understanding holidays like White Day is a great way to connect language with culture.
Learn Korean With The Ling App!
That’s it for this blog post. If you’re eager to learn Korean, make sure to check out the Ling app, which makes learning Korean fun and easy.
You’ll find interactive exercises in the form of minigames, native-speaker audio, dialogs to practice conversations, and several review features like flashcards, tests, and a personal vocabulary bank. There are also points and leaderboards to keep you motivated, a couple of fun mascots to keep you company, and much more.
So, what are you waiting for? Download the Ling app and start your Korean language journey today! You still have a few days to learn some phrases for White Day!
