Meaning of Seollal, or Lunar New Year's Day, to Korean people

설날의 의미
Out of many national holidays in Korea,... Seollal is the biggest and the most important holiday.
Since ancient Korea,... dating back to nearly two thousand years ago,... historic records show Koreans have kept the tradition of spending the first day of the lunar calendar in a special way.
Looking closely at the Korean word Seollal will give you a glimpse of how Koreans have traditionally perceived this day.
'Lal' out of 'Seollal' means basically 'day' in English; and the prefix 'Seol' has originated from Korean words like 'seolda ,' meaning unfamiliar, 'sarinda ,' meaning cautious, and 'seolupda ,' meaning sorrowful.
So it can be inferred that Koreans have kept this 'unfamiliar' first new day very solemnly,... with an exercise of caution and moderation.
This mindset of cherishing the moment of the first day of the new year,... is deeply reflected in traditional routines.
Koreans start the day by holding a memorial service for ancestors,... praying for the prosperity of the family,... and expressing gratitude towards them,... by sincerely preparing food.
And they make a deep bow to their elders, or Sebae... paying respects to them,... and also seeking their blessings for the new beginning.
Then, people spend the rest of the day with family,.. eating traditional food, playing folk games, and sharing stories.
It's been more than 120 years since the solar calendar was introduced in Korea,... but Koreans still keep the tradition of celebrating Lunar New Year's day.
Any previous attempts by the government to keep only the solar new year's holiday all failed,... as the deep awe Koreans have held for thousands of years towards the first moment of the year in a lunar calendar... is stamped on their minds.
Also,... it's always good to have two new beginnings of a year,... and a second chance to stick to your new year's resolutions.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages

[yatchoychu]

Cultures and Traditions define who you are as a People.
Korean Traditional Costumes are Colourful, Unique and Resplendent.
One of a Unique Kind in the World. Korean Cuisine is Delicious.

Wishing All Koreans a Healthy, Joyous and Happy Seollal.
May We All Advance through the Year of The Ox, Healthier and Stronger together.

Best Wishes and Warmest Regards from
Malaysia

[SodikinGross]

But why I never see a scene when people celebrate seollal in kdramas?

[bryan.the.scammer]

korea has its old historic heavily tied to Chinese ancestor. setau saya begitu sejarahnya.

[rulrullala]

Each country has its own New Year's Day, so why do Chinese people call it Chinese New Year? Did China make the moon? LOL

[jongshingpan]

How do you know that history of so long? Your history books were written in Chinese characters, but you don't understand Chinese.

[李安宁]

Nobunaga Oda is Korean, Jesus is Korean, Alexander has Korean genes, Coke is invented by Koreans, Red Bull is invented by Koreans, Hamburg is Korean, pizza is Korean, Karate is Korean Yes, boxing is Korean, Gilgamesh is Korean, Pyramid is built by Korean, Eiffel Tower is built by South Korea, South Korea is the birthplace of the world

[isyoubaba]

Happy Lunar new year. There is no such thing as 'cHiNeSe new year' 😂

[dereklin]

Stop appropriating my culture, it’s Chinese New Year

[fede]

Two thousand years ago?!?! South Korea only has a little over a hundred years of history!!