Korea’s biggest traditional holiday is Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day). As it falls on January 1st of the lunar calendar, the date changes every year; the upcoming Seollal is January 24th, 2021. Seollal is known for its food culture, represented by eating tteokguk. But another important custom is sebae, a particular way of greeting that younger people practice on Seollal to pay respects to the elders. Let us introduce you to Korea’s sebae culture.

It is performed on Seollal, the most significant holiday when all family members gather. The custom is to wear hanbok during sebae, but many people tend to skip this these days. In some cases, only children are dressed in hanbok to perform sebae to adults. The sebae posture differs for men and women. Men place their left hand over the right hand and bring them down to the floor as they kneel from the left knee first. They put the palms on the floor and bow their heads downward. 

As for women, they place the right hand over the left, touch the forehead with the back of their hands, and kneel slowly. The left knee comes down first, then the right knee. Then, they bend the body about 45° to bow. During sebae, those who bow usually say the phrase, “saehae bok mani badeuseyo (I wish you an auspicious new year).”

After sebae, the elders give cash to the young and say a few deokdam (words of wisdom). The money you receive from sebae is called “sebaetdon.”

How about trying sebae at home on this upcoming Seollal? Teach your children how to perform sebae and give them sebaetdon and deokdam to wish them a happy new year. Have a meaningful new year’s day as you bless your family with hopes of health and happiness!