If you visit Korea in September or October, you may hear one word everywhere:
Chuseok.
Hotels get busier. Train tickets become harder to find. Some restaurants close. Families travel across the country.
But what exactly is Chuseok — and why is it such a big deal in Korea?
The easiest way to understand it is this:
Chuseok is one of Korea’s most important family holidays, built around harvest, gratitude, ancestors, and spending time together.
It is often called “Korean Thanksgiving,” and that comparison can be useful.
But Chuseok has its own traditions, foods, history, and meaning that make it distinctly Korean.
Here’s a simple guide to what Chuseok really means in Korea.
What Is Chuseok?
Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, usually falling in September or October.
It is also known as Hangawi.
Traditionally, Chuseok marked a time to celebrate the autumn harvest, give thanks for the year’s crops, honor ancestors, and gather with family.
Today, it remains one of the biggest holidays in Korea.
Many people travel back to their hometowns, spend time with parents and relatives, prepare special foods, and take part in family traditions.
For travelers, Chuseok may simply seem like a major national holiday.
For many Koreans, though, it feels much more personal:
For many Koreans, Chuseok is a time to return to their hometowns and spend time with family.
Why Is Chuseok Called Korean Thanksgiving?
You will often hear Chuseok described as “Korean Thanksgiving.”
That is not completely wrong — but it is only a shortcut.
Both holidays are connected to:
- Harvest season
- Family gatherings
- Special meals
- Gratitude
- Traveling home to see relatives
That is why “Korean Thanksgiving” is an easy way to explain Chuseok to someone who has never heard of it.
But Chuseok also has traditions that are very different.
In Korea, the holiday has a stronger connection to ancestors and family roots.
Some families prepare a memorial ritual called charye, and many visit family graves in a tradition known as seongmyo.
So while Thanksgiving may help you understand the general feeling of the holiday, Chuseok is not simply a Korean version of an American holiday.
It has its own history, customs, and meaning.
Why Do Koreans Travel Home During Chuseok?
One of the most noticeable things about Chuseok is the movement.
Millions of people travel across the country to spend the holiday with family.
For many Koreans, Chuseok means returning to the place where their parents or grandparents live.
That can mean:
- Going back to a hometown
- Visiting parents
- Seeing extended family
- Sharing a meal together
- Visiting ancestral graves
This is why train stations, highways, and intercity bus terminals can become extremely busy around Chuseok.
For travelers, it can look like a transportation problem.
For Koreans, it is simply part of the holiday:
That is why transportation gets so busy during Chuseok.
What Do Koreans Eat During Chuseok?
The food most closely associated with Chuseok is songpyeon.
Songpyeon are small, half-moon-shaped rice cakes traditionally filled with ingredients such as sesame seeds, beans, or chestnuts.
They are steamed with pine needles, which gives them a distinctive aroma.
Many families also prepare foods such as:
- Jeon (pan-fried dishes)
- Japchae
- Galbi
- Seasonal fruits
- Other family dishes prepared for the holiday
Of course, not every Korean family eats exactly the same food.
Like many holidays, Chuseok meals can look different depending on the family, region, and generation.
But if you see beautifully arranged rice cakes, fruit, and traditional dishes during Chuseok, there is a good chance they are part of the holiday table.
What Are Charye and Seongmyo?
Two traditions you may hear about during Chuseok are charye and seongmyo.
Charye is a memorial ritual in which some families prepare food and pay respect to their ancestors.
Seongmyo means visiting family graves, usually to honor ancestors and tidy the burial site.
Not every Korean family practices these traditions in the same way today.
Some families continue them very traditionally, while others celebrate Chuseok in a simpler or more modern way.
But both customs help explain why Chuseok is closely connected to family roots, respect, and remembrance.
Do Koreans Wear Hanbok or Play Traditional Games During Chuseok?
Traditional clothing and games are also part of Chuseok culture.
You may see people wearing hanbok, especially at palaces, cultural events, or family gatherings.
Traditional games can include:
- Yutnori
- Ganggangsullae
- Jegichagi
- Folk performances and cultural activities
These traditions are not part of every family’s celebration today, but they are still strongly associated with Chuseok.
For travelers, this is one of the best times of year to see traditional Korean culture in a more visible way.
What Is Chuseok Like in Modern Korea?
Chuseok today does not look exactly the same for every family.
Some families still prepare traditional meals, hold charye, and visit ancestral graves.
Others keep things much simpler.
Many younger families may:
- Have a shorter family gathering
- Travel instead of staying home
- Eat out rather than prepare a large meal
- Skip some traditional rituals
- Send gifts to parents, relatives, or business partners
Gift sets are also a big part of modern Chuseok.
In supermarkets and department stores, you may see beautifully packaged sets of fruit, meat, cooking oil, health products, or other premium foods.
And one thing has definitely not disappeared:
The holiday travel rush.
Major highways, train stations, and bus terminals can still become extremely busy as millions of people move around the country.
So modern Chuseok is a mix of old traditions and new lifestyles.
That is part of what makes it interesting to experience as a visitor.
What Should Foreign Visitors Know About Chuseok?
If you are visiting Korea during Chuseok, the most important thing is to understand that everyday life may feel a little different for a few days.
Some restaurants and small shops may close.
Intercity trains and buses can be much harder to book.
Major tourist areas in Seoul can still be enjoyable, but opening hours may change.
The good news is that Chuseok can also be a very interesting time to experience Korea.
You may see more traditional events, family gatherings, hanbok, palace activities, and holiday decorations than at other times of the year.
So instead of avoiding Korea completely, it is usually better to plan around the holiday.
If your trip falls during Chuseok 2026, I put together a practical travel guide covering trains, closures, Seoul travel, and what to prepare in advance:
Read: Visiting Korea During Chuseok 2026? What Will Be Open, Closed & Hard to Book
Final Thought
Chuseok is more than just a public holiday.
It is about family, gratitude, tradition, memory, and returning home.
And even though the way Koreans celebrate it continues to change, those ideas are still at the heart of the holiday.
If you are in Korea during Chuseok, understanding that background can make the experience feel much more meaningful.
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