Intro: Love, Chocolate, and Noodles?
When you think of love holidays, you probably think of Valentine’s Day—roses, chocolates, candlelit dinners, and maybe a bit of stress over finding the perfect gift. But South Korea takes things up a notch (or three). Instead of just one day of romance, Korea has three major love days dedicated to different stages of relationships (or lack thereof). Whether you’re showering someone with chocolates, receiving sweet payback, or just drowning your single sorrows in noodles (or celebrating it!), there’s a special day for you.
Disclaimer: The love days are traditionally heavily gendered. You’re non-binary or a same-sex couple? Just pick your favorite day and align with your loved one who’s responsible for the respective snack supplies. 🙂
So, let’s dive into Korea’s unique love calendar, starting with the big one.
Act 1: Valentine’s Day (February 14) – When Women Make the First Move
In Korea, Valentine’s Day is all about the ladies putting in the effort. Unlike in the West, where both partners typically exchange gifts, in Korea, it’s the women who take the lead. On February 14th, women give chocolates to men—boyfriends, crushes, male friends, and even colleagues or bosses (though the latter is more of a polite custom than a romantic gesture).
Types of Chocolates & Their Meanings:
- ♥ Handmade Chocolates (수제 초콜릿) – The ultimate sign of true love. If a girl makes chocolates for you, she means business.
- ♥ Fancy Store-Bought Chocolates – For serious relationships or a romantic interest, but without the baking hassle.
- ♥ Convenience Store Chocolates – Casual friendships, office colleagues, or when you feel obligated to participate.
How It Differs from the West:
- In most Western countries, Valentine’s Day is a mutual exchange of gifts and affection.
- Flowers, jewelry, and romantic dates play a bigger role in the West, while Korea is all about the chocolate.
Of course, women don’t do this out of pure generosity—they expect something in return. And rightfully so. We deserve it! That’s where White Day comes in.
Act 2: White Day (March 14) – Time for Men to Return the Favor
One month later, it’s payback time. On March 14, men who received chocolates on Valentine’s Day are expected to return the favor with candy (not chocolate!). This is White Day (화이트데이), and it’s all about reciprocity.
The “Three-Times Rule”
Ever heard of the “three-times rule”? In Korea, the unspoken expectation is that the guy’s return gift should be at least three times the value of what he received. That means if a woman gave you a small box of chocolates, you might be expected to respond with a fancy box of candy, flowers, a plush toy, or even jewelry.
Popular White Day Gifts:
- ♥ Candy (사탕) – The official White Day treat; anything from gourmet sweets to heart-shaped lollipops.
- ♥ Stuffed Animals (인형) – A cute addition for a romantic touch.
- ♥ Jewelry & Perfume (보석류 & 향수) – For those wanting to take things up a notch.
- ♥ Flowers (꽃) – Classic, but still appreciated.
How It Differs from the West:
- In the West, there’s no separate day where men specifically return the favor.
- White Day’s candy-focus contrasts with the Western mix of chocolates, roses, and romantic dinners.
But what if you didn’t receive chocolates on Valentine’s Day or candy on White Day? Well, Korea has a day for that too…
Act 3: Black Day (April 14) – Singles, Assemble!
April 14 is known as Black Day (블렉데이), and it’s when singles who received nothing on the previous two love days come together to embrace (or wallow in) their single status.
This is basically my favorite Love Day as it matches my mostly black wardrobe, and I have very fond memories of celebrating it together with single friends in South Korea.
How to Celebrate Black Day:
- Eat Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) – This delicious black bean noodle dish is the official meal of the day. Why? Because it’s black, just like your lonely, empty heart. (Just kidding… kind of.)
- Wear Black – Some people take the theme seriously and dress in all black.
- Meet Up with Other Singles – Black Day isn’t just about moping alone—it’s also a chance to socialize and maybe even find love.
How It Differs from the West:
- The West doesn’t have an official “Singles Day” tied to Valentine’s Day.
- Some Western singles might celebrate Galentine’s Day (Feb 13) or ignore Valentine’s Day altogether, but Korea makes it official.
- In Korea, Black Day is lighthearted—it’s not about being miserable but about having fun (and eating delicious noodles).
If you want to sound local while enjoying jjajangmyeon, try saying:
“혼자인 기념으로 짜장면이나 먹자!” (Honjain ginyeomeuro jjajangmyeonina meokja!)
👉 “Since I’m single, I might as well eat jjajangmyeon!”
Or, if you want to be dramatic about your single life:
“짜장면이 내 유일한 데이트야.” (Jjajangmyeoni nae yuilhan deiteu-ya.)
👉 “Jjajangmyeon is my only date.”
Bonus Round: Korea’s Obsession with Love Holidays
If you think Korea stops at these three, think again. Korea loves themed “love days” so much that there’s a love-related day on the 14th of every month! Here are a few:
- Rose Day (May 14), also known as Yellow Day – Couples exchange roses.
- Kiss Day (June 14) – The perfect excuse to steal a smooch.
- Pepero Day (Nov 11) – Okay, not in a 14th, but quite widespread in South Korea. It’s basically Korea’s version of Valentine’s, but with Pepero (chocolate-covered biscuit sticks) instead of chocolates. You hand them out to friends, family, colleagues etc.
Some are widely celebrated, while others are more commercial gimmicks. Either way, there’s never a dull moment in Korea’s dating scene.
Bonus Round II: Useful Phrases
Here are five topic-related Korean phrases that could be useful when addressing Korea’s love days:
1️⃣ “초콜릿 줄게!” (Chokollit julge!) – “I’ll give you chocolate!”
- Perfect for Valentine’s Day when women give chocolates to men.
2️⃣ “화이트데이에 사탕 받을 수 있을까?” (Hwaiteudeie satang badeul su isseulkka?) – “Do you think I’ll get candy on White Day?”
- A good way to express hope (or doubt) about receiving a return gift.
3️⃣ “오늘 짜장면 먹으러 갈래?” (Oneul jjajangmyeon meogeureo gallae?) – “Wanna go eat jjajangmyeon today?”
- Ideal for Black Day when singles gather to eat black bean noodles.
4️⃣ “너무 달콤해!” (Neomu dalkomhae!) – “So sweet!”
- A great reaction to receiving chocolates, candy, or a thoughtful gift.
5️⃣ “다음엔 꼭 초콜릿 받을 거야!” (Daeume kkok chokollit badeul geoya!) – “Next time, I’ll definitely get chocolate!”
- A fun way to express determination after missing out on Valentine’s or White Day.
Conclusion: A Holiday for Everyone
Whether you’re in a relationship, hoping to be, or proudly single, Korea’s got a love day for you. These unique traditions put a fun twist on romance and make sure no one is left out—even if your only date is a bowl of jjajangmyeon.
So, if you find yourself in Korea on one of these days, why not join in? And hey, if all else fails, there’s always next year.
Would you participate in Korea’s love day traditions? Let me know in the comments!
Interested in learning more about Korean culture? Check out my blog posts about Dancheong, Seollal, Lotus Lantern Festival, and Traditional Children’s Games as seen on Squid Game.
Are you traveling to South Korea?
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