SINJEONG (신정) - HOW KOREAN PEOPLE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S DAY
- Elena-Daniela Sandu
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
WHAT IS SINJEONG?
Sinjeong (신정) is South Korea’s Western New Year’s Day, celebrated on January 1st. Unlike Seollal, which follows the lunar calendar and is deeply rooted in traditional customs, Sinjeong reflects Korea’s adoption of the Gregorian calendar and modern timekeeping. Sinjeong is an official public holiday and marks the symbolic beginning of the new year, representing fresh starts, new resolutions, and hopes for better fortune.
HOW DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE SINJEONG?
Sinjeong is generally a calm and peaceful holiday rather than a highly festive one. Many Koreans spend the day resting at home, meeting close friends, or having a simple family meal. Unlike Seollal, there are no formal ancestral rites or mandatory family gatherings. Instead, the focus is on personal renewal and new year resolutions because people usually think about their goals, make plans for the year ahead, and enjoy a quiet break before returning to work or school.
WHAT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS ARE SPECIFIC TO SINJEONG?
One of the most popular Sinjeong activities is watching the first sunrise of the year with their family or friends. People usually travel to the east coast, especially places like Gangneung, Sokcho, or Jeongdongjin, or climb mountains in Seoul, such as Bukhansan or Namsan. Television stations broadcast New Year’s countdown shows and special concerts on the night of December 31st, while city landmarks host symbolic bell-ringing ceremonies, most famously the Bosingak Bell Ceremony, which usually takes place in Seoul. For younger generations, New Year’s Eve is often celebrated with friends, dining out or attending small countdown events.
WHAT FOOD AND SWEETS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SINJEONG?
Food plays a smaller role in Sinjeong than in Seollal. Many families prepare or eat tteokguk (rice cake soup), which symbolises gaining a year in age and welcoming good luck. Others prefer convenient meals, delivery food, or restaurant dining. Popular modern choices include fried chicken, pizza, or hot pot. There are no specific sweets tied exclusively to Sinjeong, but cakes and desserts are commonly shared at midnight celebrations.
WHAT TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS ARE SPECIFIC TO SINJEONG?
Sinjeong does not involve traditional bows (sebae) or ancestral rituals. Instead, people exchange simple greetings such as “새해 복 많이 받으세요” (May you receive lots of luck in the new year!). Writing New Year’s resolutions, setting personal goals, and cleaning one’s home before January 1st are modern practices associated with Sinjeong. Watching the first sunrise is also considered a symbolic act of renewal and good fortune.
WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS AND CURIOSITIES ABOUT SINJEONG?
Historically, Korea celebrated the new year according to the lunar calendar, and Sinjeong only became prominent during the Japanese colonial period and later modernisation. Today, South Korea recognises two New Years: Sinjeong (January 1st) and Seollal (lunar New Year, which is calculated each year differently according to the Lunar Calendar). Sinjeong is more symbolic and practical, while Seollal remains emotionally and culturally central to Korean tradition. Younger generations often associate Sinjeong with self-improvement, gym memberships, planners, and social media goal-setting, just like foreigners do.
WHAT SHOULD FOREIGNERS KNOW ABOUT SINJEONG?
Most government offices and banks are closed on Sinjeong, but restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores remain open. Public transportation operates normally, though sunrise spots can be crowded early in the morning. Tourists can enjoy winter scenery, sunrise festivals, and quieter streets. It is polite to say “새해 복 많이 받으세요” to Korean acquaintances. Don’t stress about gift giving because no special gifts are required on New Year’s Day in South Korea.
WHY DOES THIS HOLIDAY MATTER IN KOREAN CULTURE?
Sinjeong reflects Korea’s balance between tradition and modernity. It represents the global calendar system and contemporary lifestyle, while existing alongside Seollal’s deeper cultural roots. Although quieter, Sinjeong serves as a psychological reset point, encouraging self-reflection, planning, and emotional reconnection with the self and others at the very start of the year.
Over time, whether through watching the sunrise, sharing tteokguk, or setting new goals, January 1st has become a space for hope and renewal for Koreans. Would you welcome the new year by greeting the first sunrise over South Korea’s winter horizon?
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