Korean School of Federal Way is celebrating Seolnal (설날), the Korean Lunar New Year’s Day, on Saturday, January 25!

Festivities will kick off at 10:30 AM in the gym with students performing sebae (세배), the traditional New Year’s bow of respect to one’s elders.

They will, in turn, receive their elders’ blessings, as well as a small gift of money called sebaetdon (세뱃돈).

Afterwards, students will return to their classrooms to play traditional New Year’s games of jegichagi (제기차기), the Korean version of hacky sack, and yutnori (윷놀이), an ancient Korean board game that remains a popular pastime to this day.

On the lunch menu is tteokguk (떡국), a classic New Year’s dish of slivered rice cakes in a savory broth, as well as japchae (잡채) and assorted jeon (모듬전).

Students are highly encouraged to come dressed in their hanbok (한복), the traditional attire of the Korean people, as there will be many photo opportunities!

Together, we’ll usher in the ‘Year of the Rat‘ with loads of fun and good cheer!