do they celebrate Christmas in South Korea?

Question

My sis is work in South korea for a few years, what do they do at christmas??

Answer 1

You did get some very weird answers for your question.

First, as a nation in general, Korea does celebrate Christmas. When I say "celebrate," I mean that most, if not all, Koreans decorate their Christmas trees and windows, and most children do believe in Santa Claus. As a kid, I always tried to catch Santa on his way out, but... sadly, I never did. While many Korean homes do have an oven (yes, they do, Dawn V), they do not have a tradition to eat turkey during Christmas. Instead, most families would go out for a big dinner (such as Kalbi) or stay home for a mini-party thing with the family members.

However, because Korea does not have an "official" religion, most Christmas "celebrations" that you'd see on the street are parades (as somebody had mentioned) in theme parks, Christmas carols from the shops, Christmas trees in malls, and the many Santa's many family restaurants employ for the picture with the children. Christian celebrations are held, of course, but not publically. You can go to any church in Korea for Christian Christmas celebrations.

Answer 2

Christmas In South Korea

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Yes, some people do. I can guarantee you in South Korea during the Christmas season you can't go a day without hearing "Last Christmas" by Wham!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

South Korea is the second largest Christian country in Asia. (only second to Philippines)
Around 30% of South Koreans are Christian. (20% of Protestants + 10% of Catholics)
So, they do celebrate Christmas here in Korea. (should I say 'we' since I'm living in Korea?)
Christmas is a public holiday in Korea and it's the only East Asian country to reconize it as a public holiday.

Since Christmas is at the end of the year, many people get wrapped up with holiday atmosphere.
Even non-Christians engage in holiday customs such as giving-gifts, sending Christmas cards or decorating trees.
*Note: They don't have Christmas roast turkey, instead they have Christmas cakes.

One thing that I found most interesting here about Christmas is that Korean people think the day is supposed to be romantic!
I think in western culture Christmas is a religious day and more of a family thing, but here in Korea, Christmas is more like a lovers' day just like Valentine's Day in western culture.
Many of my Korean friends say that they should be with their girlfriend or boylfriend on Christmas day and not with their family members.
They also say, it's a frustrating day for those who are single.
Actually, on Christmas eve, the streets and the restaurants are filled with couples and lovers. (Family gathering is really rare!)

To sum up, South Koreans do celebrate Christmas!
Christians who form the 30% of Korean population go to church and conduct special service, go caroling etc. (same as in western culture.)
For non-Christians, it's a very romantic holiday on which lovers express their love for each other.

Answer 7

I have family in Korea who are mostly Christian and I believe they do celebrate Christmas. (One of my uncles is a minister here in the states.)
I'm Catholic.

Answer 8

You received a lot of strange and interesting answers to your question...
I am an American living in Seoul.. some of these things are easy to verify on the internet:
The last South Korean census published shows that approx 41% of the population are Christians.. much more than oyu might have thought. There was a big explosion of Christians following the "missionary period", but continues to grow every year.
And, the missionaries did their jobs quite well: they left out the consumer/Santa part of Christmas. So if you haev a 6 year old, (I do), you erally have to try to find Santa and that Christmas tree every year!
The local amusement parks, like Lotte World and Everland, put on holiday parades, with Santa at the end.. but for that popular "photo with Santa", you have to go to the military base.
Someone else told you that there are no tukeys, (true), but anyone can order from teh restaurant on base, (Yongsan in seoul), and pick it up at the gate. But KOreans will not do this.
Koreans do not have ovens, generally, so basting up a holiday bird would be strange indeed.
Someone else told you that we do the Christmas tree thing here? not really... I don't know anyone who had a tree that was not artificial and imported from China at great expense. There are no live trees, as you would find in ShangHai. Not enough ex-pats here for that. But they do sell VERY garish, plastic trees in the market, more for business decoration.. not for homes really...
there is no "putting the gifts under the tree" kind of thing. And forget about the stockings or reindeer or snowmen. (unless some awful decoration fell off the boat from ShangHai)

For weeks leading up to Christmas, Seoul puts on a beautiful light display around the City Hall area, and EVERY human who lives in Seoul, (about 11 million people), walks along there to the river. These are families and couples, although it is quite popular for your boyfriend to bring you here for photo opportunities. Also, in City Hall area, is an outdoor skating rink for about $2 that everyone crams into.

Your only chance at buying anything close to stollen, gingerbread or Christmas cakes as WE know them is at the Hyatt or Hiltons.. or maybe the Sheraton GRande.. The Korean version of Christmas cake would surprise most Americans. Tasty.. but not what you are looking for...
There are no pumpkins, as we know them, so you have to get yoru canned pumpkin from a freind on base.. or buy the pumpkin pie at Costco....
Oh, and Costco would be your best source for any Christmas thing you wanted. Last year, they sold a very nice , artificial tree, 6 feet, for about $200 USD. It was really the only gig in town for one that looked real.

I could go on and on.. sorry.. We are so into Christmas and miss it so much every year.....

Answer 9

CHRISTmas is BIG in Asia. Growing up in the Philippines we even used to live with them and WE all FEAR God and LOVE God. Jesus is big deal to Asian people. We starts celebrating it like September to December. No one knows this ,but JESUS birthday is really in the month of September and as far as believing in God, this might offend anyone ,Majority of Asians believes in God and Jesus as his only begotten son who dwelt with us on Earth and was crucified to fulfilled the written Scriptures to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb of God the unblemished one who came from the tribe of Judah--who paid for our sins, our redeemer and savior. Jesus is coming sooner than you guys think. Look above the sky he will be showing up soon up there. Your names name Religion will not save you--your FAITH with God, walks and loves for God and how you treat the people around you will earned Gods GRACE and determines your DESTINY in the next LIFE. Heaven and hell exists--choose wisely. #Heavenly Wisdom 101

Answer 10

I would Say Japan maybe. I dont know about india but by gdp oh gosh they are pretty rich.