- “Sǒl Nal” is… Korea’s (Koyu) traditional holiday. (The day when the whole nation celebrates and enjoys. It’s been passed down from many generations.
- Not affiliated with religion or is it a society group event. It’s an old nation holiday.
- We have and enjoy old traditional foods (Um shik), games (Nol Yi), and talks (how everyone is doing)
- Family gets together (so we can feel close, and have attachment to family)
- The family from your mother’s side, father’s side, and all relatives gather (Mo Yuh) and realized the importance of family.
- “Dǒk dam” (story) – Older people’s saying to young people during new years. They are good and advantageous advice and future plans for children.
- This holiday, from child to grandpa, connect generations.
- Sǒl = New Nal = Day. It means first day in Korean.
- Koreans use the lunar calendar (Um Ryǒk) back in the days. February 1 = January 1 (1 month difference)
- The reason is because… (culture) We make rice and eat. Agricultural schedule. (Seeding, raining, cutting, harvesting,etc…)
- This is how lunar calendar is developed.
- During old Korea, there were no preservatives, no refrigerators so we made rice cake. When relatives came, we cut rice cake (Ttǒk) and make rice cake soup. (Ttǒk Guk)
- Rice cake is easier to store, preserve, and serve. We just have to cut them.
- Having respect for the elders is very important for Koreans. We have to have respect for older generations and have good manners. Koreans big bow (Se Be) to elders on Sǒl Nal. The younger generations respect and learn life’s philosophy from them.
- The women usually prepare food and they teach the children how to wear the old traditional clothes (Han Bok) such as learning how to tie the string and how to “Se Be” according to their sex.
- Girls and boys have different way of doing “Se Be”
- “Han Bok” is made of silk and colorful

- Jason: “Do you want to continue to engage in similar celebrations in the future?”
- Young Chun Kim: “Yes, when I get old even when I turn 80 and 90, I will continue when I get older, I want my daughter to continue this never ending tradition.
- Jason: “Why?”
- Young Chun Kim: “It is my culture’s Identity. Even though I'm here in the USA, I'm still Korean, I want to follow American tradition but I still want to keep my tradition and show my daughter or son, my identity.”

- The difference between old and now (Sǒl Nal) is the mind of the people (Ŭi Sik). “Long time ago, men did their own thing. Women did their own. During the Cho Sǒn (Yi Ssi Cho Sǒn) Period, Women stayed in their own rooms and cooked, made clothes, while men played and not helped out. After Japanese occupation, Korean War, and Eight changes of presidency, now, Men and Women both enjoy, play, eat together equally. Women provided for men but now things changed. Also, there is an understanding (In Jung) of respect between older and younger generations.