Seollal Then vs Now: How Koreans Really Celebrate Lunar New Year in 2026

Seollal (설날), Korea’s Lunar New Year, has always been about family, respect, and fresh beginnings. But if you think Seollal today looks the same as it did 20, or even 10 years ago, think again.

From traditional rituals and crowded kitchens to Netflix marathons, KakaoPay red envelopes, and holiday trips, Seollal has quietly evolved. Here’s a deep look at how Koreans celebrated Seollal then vs how they celebrate it now.

Credit: TavelFeed/@irisworld

What Seollal Looked Like in the Past (The “Then”)

In the past, Seollal followed a very clear structure, and breaking tradition wasn’t really an option.

1. Long Journeys to the Family Home

Seollal meant mandatory travel to your hometown, often spending hours stuck in traffic. Being absent was seen as disrespectful, especially for married couples.

2. Formal Rituals and Strict Rules

Families prepared an elaborate 차례 (charye) table with dozens of dishes arranged in a specific order.Mistakes? Quietly judged.

Children performed 세배 (sebae), deep bows to elders, and received 세뱃돈 (New Year’s money) in cash envelopes.

3. Heavy Gender Roles

Women, especially daughters-in-law, handled most of the cooking and cleaning, sometimes starting days in advance. Men often socialized or rested, reinforcing traditional roles.

4. Tradition Over Comfort

Seollal was meaningful, but also exhausting. Personal comfort came second to family duty.

Credit: Korea Stripes

How Seollal Is Celebrated Today (The “Now”)

Modern Seollal reflects changing values, work culture, and generational priorities, especially among people in their 20s and 30s.

1. Shorter Visits, Flexible Plans

Many families now:

• Meet for one day instead of several

• Alternate visits between years

• Celebrate on a different date to avoid traffic

Respect remains, but flexibility matters more.

2. Simplified or Skipped Rituals

Younger families often:

• Reduce the number of ritual dishes

• Buy food instead of cooking everything

• Skip charye and focus on conversation and meals

For many, meaning > formality.

3. Seollal as a Rest Holiday

For young Koreans, Seollal is also a rare chance to rest:

• Sleeping in

• Watching K-dramas and Netflix

• Gaming or scrolling TikTok

• Café hopping instead of staying home

Rest has become part of modern tradition.

Credit: Koreaherald

4. Travel Is the New Tradition

Instead of staying home, many young Koreans now:

• Travel to Jeju or Busan

• Go abroad to Japan or Southeast Asia

• Book staycations in Seoul

What was once taboo is now totally normal.

Credit: Kakaotalk gift shop

5. Digital Seollal: Money, Messages, Memes

Cash envelopes are being replaced by:

• KakaoPay & bank transfers for 세뱃돈

• Family group chats instead of phone calls

• Instagram stories and TikTok posts of hanbok, food, or memes

Seollal has officially gone digital.

6. Changing Family Dynamics

Younger generations openly discuss:

• Fair division of housework

• Emotional boundaries with relatives

• Shared responsibilities between men and women

Progress is slow, but very real.

Seollal Then vs Now: A Cultural Shift, Not a Loss

Despite the changes, Seollal hasn’t lost its meaning.Instead, it’s becoming more personal, balanced, and adaptable.

Modern Koreans aren’t rejecting tradition, they’re reshaping it to fit modern life.

Seollal today is about:

• Respect without pressure

• Family without burnout

• Tradition without guilt

Why This Matters (Especially for Foreigners in Korea)

Understanding how Seollal has evolved helps explain modern Korean values:

• Why young Koreans value rest

• Why traditions feel flexible

• Why “family time” looks different now

Seollal isn’t frozen in the past, it’s growing with the people who celebrate it.