How Koreans Say Goodbye to the Year: From Ancient Myths to Modern Countdowns

As 2025 comes to a close, the end of the year holds a special place in the hearts of Koreans. Like many cultures, we reflect on the past and prepare for the new. But have you ever wondered how Koreans traditionally spent their final night, or what we do today? Let’s dive into the fascinating traditions of the “Last Night” in Korea.

1. Ancient Traditions: The “Stay Awake” Defense

In the past, Koreans practiced a tradition called Suse (守歲), where they stayed awake all night with every light in the house turned on.

• Avoiding the “Body Snitch”: According to Taoist legend, people believed three worms (Samsichung) lived inside the human body. While you slept on the final night, they would escape to report your misdeeds to the Heavens. To prevent this and protect their lifespan, people stayed awake to keep the worms trapped inside.
• The White Eyebrow Prank: To scare children into staying awake, adults joked that if they slept, their eyebrows would turn white. They would even sneakily put flour on sleeping children’s eyebrows as a funny prank to teach the importance of starting the New Year with a wakeful spirit.

2. Modern Traditions: The Great Countdown and the Sound of the Bell

Today, Koreans naturally prioritize spending the final moments of the year with their loved ones, such as family and partners. Even with the busiest schedules, people make a special effort to be together on this day.

• The Nationwide Countdown: The most defining modern tradition is the countdown to midnight. Whether gathered on the cold streets or staying cozy at home, everyone joins in. Starting from 11:59 PM, the entire nation counts down the final seconds together to welcome the New Year with a shared spirit.
• The Bosingak Bell Ceremony: The heart of this celebration is the Bosingak Bell in Seoul. At exactly 00:00 on January 1st, a specially selected group of 16 to 18 representative citizens—chosen for their impact on society that year—strikes the bell.
• The Meaning of 33 Strikes: Why exactly 33 times? This number holds both historical and spiritual significance in Korea.
  • Historical Reason (The City Gates): This follows the “Paru” tradition from the Joseon Dynasty. In the past, the bell rang 33 times at dawn to signal the opening of the city gates and the start of a new day.
  • Buddhist Meaning (The 33 Heavens): The number 33 originates from the Buddhist concept of “Trāyastriṃśa” (The 33 Heavens). According to this worldview, the universe consists of 33 heavens. By striking the bell 33 times, we send a message of peace and blessings to every corner of the universe, praying for the well-being of all people.
• A Shared Experience via TV: For those who cannot make it to the crowded streets of Jongno, television networks broadcast the ceremony live. Most major channels host year-end award shows, and they always pause for the grand countdown so that everyone at home can participate.
• A Symbol of Hope: This ceremony began in 1953, following the Korean War, as a way to pray for national stability. Over the decades, it has evolved from a formal event into a beloved national custom that defines the Korean New Year experience.

3. The Secret of Bosingak: Old vs. New

Bosingak was the heart of old Seoul, signaling the time to open and close the great city gates.

• The Original Bell (Treasure No. 2): Cast in 1468, the original bell survived fires and wars for centuries. However, due to a crack developed over hundreds of years, it was retired in 1985 and is now safely preserved at the National Museum of Korea.
• The New Bell: The bell we hear today was cast in 1985 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Korea’s liberation. It was crafted by a National Intangible Cultural Heritage master and was modeled after the famous Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, ensuring its sound is as majestic as history itself.

[Closing]

The year 2025 has been a rollercoaster for Korea and for many of us personally. As we leave behind the struggles of this year, I hope everyone reading this finds immense happiness and peace in 2026. Happy New Year!