Chuseok Traditions: More Than Just Korean Thanksgiving

In mid-September, the rhythm of South Korea undergoes a visible shift. You might notice it first in the quiet of the streets in Seoul, or the sudden, frantic scramble for train tickets on digital apps. While many international observers are familiar with the term “Korean Thanksgiving,” this shorthand misses the core of what Chuseok actually is: a profound, days-long tether between the living and the departed, dictated by the cycles of the moon and the weight of familial duty.