Lunar New Year Event at RMS

On Monday, Jan. 27, Tuesday, Jan. 28, and Wednesday, Jan. 29, several Korean Lunar New Year culture lessons took place at Ms. Cheon’s room for her DLI students. On Jan. 27 and 28th, the students folded a special envelope to receive 세배 (sebae) money. In Korean tradition, children bow to their elders every year during Lunar New Year as a New Year’s greeting. In turn, the children listen to a short message from their elders and receive money from them as a symbol of support. The DLI students had to bow to the Korean teacher, Ms. Cheon, and in turn received a dollar in the envelope that they folded.
Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) is arguably the biggest holiday in South Korea, and it is celebrated each year by Koreans around the world. Aside from Sebae, there are many traditions that take place in honor of Lunar New Year such as eating tteokguk (떡국), and wearing hanbok (한복) while bowing. People also play yutnori (윷놀이), which is a game very similar to the American board game Sorry!. The first person or team to get all four of their pieces back to home wins. There are various shortcuts throughout the board that can help a piece get to home faster. These are just some of the Korean traditions that are practiced throughout Korea during Lunar New Year.
By participating in these special Lunar New Year lessons, these Korean students have participated in celebrating and learning more about the beautiful Korean culture.