What did Koreans say was the most unwanted Chuseok custom in 2026?

The top complaint was excessive interference and personal questions from relatives, chosen by 48.5 percent of respondents. Intrusive questions from relatives also ranked first among customs most urgently in need of change, at 30.6 percent.

Which Chuseok conversation topics did people want to avoid most?

Comparisons with other people such as siblings were the most unwanted topic, at 27.9 percent. Other topics people preferred to avoid included annual salary and income, employment and career changes, political and social issues, marital status and marriage plans, and appearance, weight and health.

How did different age groups feel about Chuseok stress?

People in their 20s and 30s were more likely to feel uncomfortable with personal questions from relatives. Those in their 40s and 50s felt greater pressure from preparing for the holiday and visiting family.

Excessive questions from relatives top list of Chuseok irritations

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Summary

Excessive personal questions and interference from relatives ranked as the most unwanted Chuseok tradition this year, according to a PMI survey of 1,000 adults nationwide. Comparisons with siblings and others were the most uncomfortable conversation topic. Respondents also wanted changes to ritual-table preparation, holiday chores, cash gifts and gift giving.

Key Facts

PMI surveyed 1,000 adults aged 20 to 69 nationwide from Sept. 11 to 14 ahead of Chuseok.
48.5 percent said excessive interference and personal questions from relatives was the holiday tradition they most wanted changed.
40.8 percent cited excessive preparation for ancestral ritual tables, while 29.8 percent pointed to unequal distribution of holiday chores.
The most avoided conversation topic was comparisons with other people such as siblings, chosen by 27.9 percent of respondents.
People in their 20s and 30s were more uncomfortable with personal questions, while those in their 40s and 50s felt more pressure from holiday preparations and family visits.

By Hankookilbo

Published Sep 28, 2026 12:00 am KST

Jeju International Airport is crowded with tourists and travelers on Sunday morning, the last day of the Chuseok holiday. Yonhap

Excessive personal questions and interference from relatives have been named the most unwanted aspect of the Chuseok holiday this year. Comparisons with siblings and other people were also cited as the most uncomfortable topic of conversation.

According to a 2026 Chuseok holiday survey conducted by research firm PMI, 48.5 percent of 1,000 adults aged 20 to 69 nationwide said “excessive interference and personal questions from relatives” was the holiday tradition they most wanted to see changed. The survey was conducted from Sept. 11 to 14, ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

The next most frequently cited practices were “excessive preparation for ancestral ritual tables” at 40.8 percent, “unequal distribution of holiday chores” at 29.8 percent, “holiday cash gifts” at 25.5 percent and “excessive holiday gift giving” at 23.7 percent.

Intrusive questions from relatives also topped the list of holiday customs considered most urgently in need of change, cited by 30.6 percent of respondents.

When asked which topics they would rather avoid discussing with family members and relatives, the most popular response at 27.9 percent was “comparisons with other people such as siblings."

Other unwanted topics included “annual salary and income” at 26.6 percent, “employment and career changes” at 24.6 percent, “political and social issues” at 24.4 percent, “marital status and marriage plans” at 21.6 percent, and “appearance, weight and health” at 18.1 percent.

There were significant generational differences in how people felt burdened by the holiday. Respondents in their 20s and 30s were more likely to feel uncomfortable with personal questions from relatives, while those in their 40s and 50s felt greater pressure from preparing for the holiday and visiting family.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

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