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January 2025

From Korea with love…


Well, that is what life is like in Korea, where Valentine’s Day is one of ‘12’ love days celebrated on the 14th day of each and every month.

These range from the popular ‘White Day’ (March 14th) to the rather dark sounding ‘Black Day’ (for singles), not to mention a ‘Movie Day’, ‘Kiss Day’ and a ‘Wine Day’.There is even a ‘Hug Day’ which falls on December 14th (and we say ‘why not’, you can never get enough hugs).

Luckily, for Korean men and women, only two of these days attract commercial attention, Valentine’s Day, which is pretty much marked the world over, and ‘White Day’ which is unique to South Korea, as well as Japan, Taiwan, and China. Also, unlike around the world where men and women share gifts on Valentine’s Day, the Korean tradition is for women to present gifts on February 14th (normally chocolates), with men having to wait another month to return the favour, on White Day.

Like elsewhere in the world, Valentine’s Day means big bucks for business and convenience stores across Korea are kitted out with large ‘love-themed’ displays of chocolates, candies, jewellery, lingerie and other sentimental gifts in the build up to both Valentine’s Day and White Day.

In Korea, gift exchanges are exclusive to young non-married couples. Platonic gifting between friends and family is rare, even married couples rarely participate, unlike in the Western world where it is common to gift all kinds of loved ones.

If you want to treat the love of your life to a Valentine’s meal with a difference this year, how about preparing an authentic Korean feast, with the help of Sun Hee.

No need to spend the evening slaving over a hot stove either – try one of our quick and easy, time saving meals, available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda.