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Why Seoul Fills with Lanterns Every Spring – Buddha’s Birthday in Korea

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If you visit Seoul in spring, you may suddenly notice thousands of colorful lanterns hanging above the streets. This is part of Buddha’s Birthday in Korea , one of the most beautiful spring traditions in the country. In this post, I want to gently introduce the atmosphere of Korea’s Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) , the meaning behind the lanterns, and why this season feels special to many Koreans. If you visit Seoul in May, you may wonder why colorful lanterns suddenly appear across the city. These lanterns are part of Buddha’s Birthday , celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in Korea. During this season, temples fill with lanterns, and Seoul hosts the famous Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) , a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. 1. Lanterns That Change the Mood of Seoul As Buddha’s Birthday approaches, colorful lanterns begin appearing all across Korea. Around Jongno, Jogyesa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, t...
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Korean Garlic Culture – Why Koreans Eat So Much Garlic

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1. The Bear, Garlic, and the Dangun Myth In a previous post, we talked about the Dangun myth, the famous Korean founding story where a bear and a tiger entered a cave hoping to become human. Do you remember that part of the story? If you have not read the Dangun myth yet, you may enjoy starting with that story first. 👉 Read the Dangun myth here Hwanung told them that if they stayed away from sunlight for 100 days and ate only mugwort and garlic, they would become human. In the end, the bear endured the long and difficult time. She became a woman, known as Ungnyeo. Koreans often say, half-jokingly and half-affectionately, that we are descendants of that patient bear. Perhaps that is why garlic still feels so familiar and comforting to many Koreans today. Illustration created for bookicooki. 2. Korean Garlic Consumption in Numbers When someone asks, “Do Koreans really eat that much garlic?” these numbers are usually the first thing that comes to mind....
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Do You Need to File Taxes in Korea in May? A Guide for Foreigners

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If you live or work in Korea, there is one phrase you will almost certainly hear in May: comprehensive income tax filing . If you are wondering whether you need to file taxes in Korea in May, you are not alone. This guide will help you understand the basics and see if it applies to your situation. ⚡ What You Need to Know In Korea, May (May 1–31) is the main tax filing season. If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or have additional income, you may need to file taxes. If you are a regular employee, your taxes are usually handled through year-end tax adjustment. Still, some employees may need to file in May if they have multiple sources of income or missed the year-end tax settlement process. Foreigners may also need to file depending on their income and situation, so it is important to check carefully. A simple example of preparing tax documents during Korea’s tax filing season. Why Is May Important for Taxes in Korea? In Korea, Ma...
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The Three Kingdoms of Korea – How Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla Emerged

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To understand ancient Korean history, there is one period you cannot skip. ⚡ Key Takeaways The Three Kingdoms period refers to the era when Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla existed at the same time, competing across the Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria. After the fall of Gojoseon, several regional powers emerged, and some of them gradually developed into three major kingdoms. This was not simply a time of division, but an important turning point when the kingdoms grew through rivalry, exchange, and cultural development. In global history, this period is commonly known as the Three Kingdoms of Korea . It is generally understood to have lasted from around the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE, nearly 700 years. How Did the Three Kingdoms Period Begin? After Gojoseon fell, several new powers began to appear across the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. As we saw in the previous post, states such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, and Dongye started to take shape in ...
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Why May Feels So Expensive in Korea – Holidays, Family Month, and Hidden Costs

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In Korea, May is often called Family Month . It sounds warm and meaningful, but for many Koreans, May can also feel surprisingly busy and expensive. Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, Teachers’ Day, travel plans, family gatherings, and even tax filing season all come together in the same month. ⚡ The Short Answer May in Korea is called Family Month because several meaningful days are concentrated in this period, including Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, and Teachers’ Day. However, these events often bring extra spending, busy schedules, and emotional pressure around family and social relationships. On top of that, May is also the month for comprehensive income tax filing, which makes it feel even more stressful for freelancers and self-employed workers. 1. So Many Important Days Are Packed into May A quick overview of major holidays and events in Korea in May 2026. May has more special days than many people expect. Some are official public holidays, while othe...
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Why Did Gojoseon Fall? – The Rise of New Kingdoms in Ancient Korea

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⚡ Main Points Gojoseon grew stronger with the spread of iron culture, but it eventually fell in 108 BCE due to attacks from the Han dynasty and internal divisions. However, this was not simply the end. The people of Gojoseon dispersed across regions, laying the foundation for new states such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, and Dongye. The fall of Gojoseon marked a major turning point that led to the next phase of Korean history. Why Did Gojoseon Fall? In the previous post, we explored how the people of Gojoseon lived. Their lives—farming grains, working together, and preparing for winter—were more stable and organized than we might expect. But if their society seemed so stable, why did it collapse? History shows that no society is completely free from change. Gojoseon, too, gradually entered a different phase as it grew and evolved. 1. Change That Came with Growth As time passed, Gojoseon expanded its territory. With agriculture firmly established and commun...
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How Did People Live in Gojoseon, Korea? Food, Daily Life, and Early Society

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⚡ Quick Overview The people of Gojoseon lived primarily through agriculture, cultivating grains such as millet, sorghum, and beans. Archaeological evidence—including plain pottery and dolmens—reveals how they stored food, organized communities, and built early social structures. Their daily life was shaped not by individuals, but by cooperation and preparation for changing seasons. How Did the People of Gojoseon Actually Live? Have you ever wondered what daily life looked like for people living thousands of years ago? In the previous post, we explored how Gojoseon was formed and what kind of social order it established. Now, it’s time to look beyond the structure of the state and focus on something more fundamental: the everyday lives of the people who lived within it. If you're new here, you may want to start with the first part of the series: 👉 Gojoseon: From Myth to History – Korea’s First Kingdom 1. What Did They Eat? – A Grain-Based Diet ...
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