By Yayi Wang
Seoul– Originally rooted in Western Christian tradition, Christmas has steadily grown in popularity across Korea. As early as November 12, retail chains such as Daiso opened dedicated Christmas sections in all branches, filling shelves with festive goods. Streets and storefronts across the country are now adorned with lights, ornaments, and seasonal displays. Yet for different generations of Koreans, both the meaning of Christmas and the ways they celebrate it have transformed over time.
Oh Whasuk, a missionary from Good Neighbour Church (좋은이웃교회), recalls a Christmas that felt “much more like a religious festival.” Growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, she remembers tight-knit neighborhoods where church members would go door-to-door singing Christmas carols and handing out small gifts. “It wasn’t just the churches,” she said. “Every shop played Christmas hymns.” Comparing then and now, she feels past celebrations were “more lively and filled with warmth.” Today, while decorations have evolved with dazzling LED lights and modern displays, the once-familiar sound of hymns has largely faded from public spaces.
For younger Koreans, however, Christmas carries a completely different meaning. Park Seunghyun, a freshman at Hanyang University, describes it as a social holiday, especially popular among couples and groups of friends. “Young people usually go to restaurants with a strong Christmas vibe,” she explained. “Some might go ice skating, or just stay in for a cozy dinner with friends.”
To many in Korea’s Gen Z—often referred to locally as the MZ generation—Christmas is less a religious observance than a chance to unwind from hectic routines or enjoy a romantic outing. The holiday has become deeply woven into Korea’s visually driven “date culture,” with couples flocking to illuminated streets, department stores, or skating rinks for memorable shared experiences. The trend has even given rise to a new slang term, “Solo Christmas” (솔크), referring to those spending the holiday without a partner or close companions.
Still, both generations hold their own sense of nostalgia—older Koreans for the musical warmth of carols echoing through their communities, and younger ones for the brief pause Christmas offers amid fast-paced academic and work schedules. While the meaning of Christmas continues to evolve, the holiday remains a moment of connection for Koreans, celebrated through lights, companionship, and an ever-changing but enduring festive spirit.
