The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, July 2, 2022 | 02:44
-------------------------
Chuseok: Runaway singles
Posted : 2014-09-05 16:58
Updated : 2014-09-05 18:31
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

By Kim Hyo-jin

Chuseok, Korea's Thanksgiving holiday, has become a headache for many single Koreans in their 30s. More and more young people are seeking to travel overseas during the holiday in an attempt to avoid relatives who always ask them the dreaded question: "Why aren't you married yet?"

Millions of Koreans travel to their hometowns across the country during the public holiday to perform traditional rituals to thank ancestors for a bountiful harvest. But another aspect of such visit ― the nosy relatives ―has become too much to bear for some.

"I don't think it's worth spending my precious holiday with family members who constantly tell me off for being single," said a 36-year-old single civil servant surnamed Kim.

"I'm planning to fly overseas at Chuseok instead of seeing relatives. When they see me, they constantly nag me and tell me that if I postpone marriage any longer, I would never get married at all."

In a survey of 425 single people in their 30s by social match-up agency Duo, over 58 percent responded that they are not excited about Chuseok, specifically because of their nosy relatives who constantly pressure them to get married.

"It is pretty hypocritical for my married female relatives to say I should hurry up and get married, when I see them so stressed out preparing foods for the whole family every Chuseok," said Kim.

Once she marries, she would be expected to do the same.

"It makes me wonder if marriage is ever worth it," Kim said.

Another single woman, surnamed Lee, 33, said it is important for her to spend time by herself, instead of seeing family members duringChuseok.

"It won't be easy to travel whatsoever after you get married. You will have to see your husband's family and spend time with them. This might be my last chance to enjoy some ‘me time'," Lee said.

She said she routinely travels overseas every Chuseok, so relatives do not care about her absence at the family gathering anymore. This year will not be an exception. She is preparing to takea vacation in Hawaii.

Because of the increased demand during Chuseok, however, it is nearly impossible to find flight tickets to overseas destinations, unless you buy the tickets early.

"You should plan to get a ticket to any popular destination three or four months earlier," said Han Jae-sung, a branch manager of Seoul-based travel agency Top Travel. He said a 20 to 30 percent premium is added to the original price of a flight ticket duringChuseokowing to the high demand.

A 32-year-old single consultant, surnamed Lee, also said it is fairly common for him and his single friends, who are also in their 30s, to avoid family by traveling overseas at Chuseok.

"Young professional Koreans in their 30s have little personal downtime owing to the long work hours. Chuseok is a rare chance for them to get a break from work," Lee said.

"I think we are now allowed to do so as the family culture changes ― people value the idea of a family reunion less. Missing a family gathering is not considered rude anymore."


Emailkthyojin@gmail.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
LG
  • 'Crypto rebound will be more powerful than stocks'
  • Economic Essay Contest for University Students
  • Baemin, Coupang Eats scramble to retain delivery drivers
  • Yoon dismisses China's claim that Korea is joining NATO's Indo-Pacific expansion
  • Yoon heads home after attending NATO summit in Spain
  • Negative views of China among Koreans hit all-time high: survey
  • 1,000 people evacuated from building in central Seoul after tremor
  • Ruling party's odd man out
  • Bodies of child, parents found in vehicle recovered from water
  • Yellen to discuss supply chains, imposing costs on Russia during visit to Seoul
  • Korean studies struggles to grow despite success of K-pop, K-dramas Korean studies struggles to grow despite success of K-pop, K-dramas
  • [INTERVIEW] Bae Suzy shows another side in 'Anna' [INTERVIEW] Bae Suzy shows another side in 'Anna'
  • Korea's 1st queer romance reality show to hit air July 8 Korea's 1st queer romance reality show to hit air July 8
  • [INTERVIEW] Filmmaker points lens at North Korea's political prison camps [INTERVIEW] Filmmaker points lens at North Korea's political prison camps
  • Naver Webtoon launches horror-themed playground in metaverse Naver Webtoon launches horror-themed playground in metaverse
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group