Many Korean’s celebrate by getting up early to catch the first sunrise of the year!
We didn’t know that before, no one really told and it’s not really a big event with fireworks or (English) bands that would be advertised.
(2019) FIRST YEAR, OUR REALLY FIRST SUNRISE OF SOUTH KOREA EXPERIENCE, HAEUNDAE, BUSAN:
We found out by looking out our window overlooking Haeundae Beach.
We woke up early (I think we were jet lag from coming back from the Hawaii trip that year), we looked at the window and see people were walking to the beach. More people were coming, more and more!
We were feeling like, WHAT IS GOING ON???!!!
So we’re staring at thousands of people on the beach through our window. How come people came to the beach so early in the morning? They started coming before 6 am, and it’s very cold outside (like 27-30F)!
Then about an hour later, they started to disappear from the beach!
We were so confused but it’s amazing to see many people!
I asked my Korean friend later to find out that one of South Korea’s biggest traditions each year is to ring in the New Year by catching the first sunrise!
Ahhhh good thing we woke up early and saw this!!!
There are many famous places in Busan to catch the first Sunrise like Songdo Beach, Gwanganli Beach, Cheonsapo Skywalk, Water Temple etc.
(2020) SECOND YEAR, OKPO in GEOJE ISLAND:
The second year, we did know exactly what to do on New Year’s day, the First Sunrise!
(Left) Jangseungpo, Firework on New Year eve (1 pm-8 pm on 12/31), and Sunrise started at 6 am on 1/1/2020.
(Right) Okpo Park, Sunrise, and Happy New Year started at 5 am on 1/1/2020.
We moved to Geoje Island in December 2019, we didn’t know the island well.
We went to Okpo Park which is only a 3-5 mins drive from our Apartment.
We got there a little early like 6.30 in the morning (when the sunrise is about 7.30 am!!!)
But there were so many people already. Many tables that provide hot drinks (Coffee, tea), food (Gimchi with rice) for free!
The most impressive thing, they handed us some hot-pack that helped a lot because it was very cold!!!
There were celebrating, dancing, singing around the area, it was very interesting…
Once the sun started rising, they played the drum and started praying (in Korean)…
That was something special for our experiences in South Korea!!!
(it’s cold….!)
(2021) THIRD YEAR: COVID-19 ruined everything!
Covid-19 was up and down in South Korea, it was getting better in Summer but it’s getting worse in Winter!!!
We were locked up, no travel, no social gatherings (we couldn’t gather together more than 5 people for any indoor/outdoor activities!!!), our Social Distance was gone up to 2.5 level that means all the gym, public area, school, office are closed!
And….we received the note for Sunrise that “All sunrise & sunset attractions are closed December 24, 2020 – January 3, 2021, to prevent the spread of COVID-19”!!!
Ugh…
Anyway, there are many places to catch the first sunrise of the year in South Korea. I would do it in Jeju Island or Pohang (with the hand statue)…
How to say HAPPY NEW YEAR in Korean:
Sae-hae Pok Many Pa-Tue Se-Yo (새해 복 많이 받으세요)
Read more about South Korea: https://www.somethingjam.com/south-korea
