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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class: Holidays in South Korea Series on KoreanClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Korean holidays and observances. I’m Brandon, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 25: Pepero Day. |
| Are you familiar with a snack called"Pepero?” It's a long cookie stick that's covered in chocolate. It looks similar to the letter "I" or the number one. Since November 11th is a date that contains many number ones, this is the day people exchange Pepero sticks in South Korea. In this lesson, you’ll learn about Pepero Day or 빼빼로 데이 (pepero dei) on November 11th. |
| Now, before we go into more detail, do you know the answer to this question: if November 11th is Pepero Day, What is March 3rd—the date with two threes—for? |
| If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| You can't celebrate Pepero Day without the snack Pepero, right? For that reason, couples or friends exchange Pepero sticks on this day. Since it's not expensive, people also give this snack to their coworkers. That's why so many people coming home from work on this day have Pepero snack boxes in their bags. |
| On Pepero Day, not only Pepero, but other items related to Pepero, are given as gifts. Some give Pepero-shaped cushions, and some glue boxes made with Pepero into the shape of a heart, and give that as a gift to their special someone. |
| People don't only exchange chocolate-flavored Pepero on this day; strawberry and almond flavors are also popular. |
| Pepero Day was actually started by the marketing department in the company that makes Pepero. So some people celebrate Pepero Day in a different way. On November 11th, they may exchange 가래떡(Garaeddeok) or long cylinder-shaped rice cakes, instead of Pepero snacks. They’ll exchange red, yellow, or blue colored rice cakes—in addition to the common white ones—as well as foods made with the long rice cakes. |
| Here's our fun fact for the day! Did you know that on Pepero Day, girls in middle and high school give Pepero to their friends with the aim of "getting thin like these Pepero sticks.” |
| Now it’s time to answer our quiz question: what is March 3rd for? March 3rd, which has two threes in the date, is called "Roast Pork Belly Day" or 삼겹살데이 (Sam-gyeopsal dei.) "Three" in Korean is 삼(sam,) like the beginning of the word 삼겹살(Sam-gyeopsal) ,“Korean pork belly meat.” That's why many people visit restaurants to eat roast pork belly on this day. |
| Well, listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn a lot? |
| Do you have a special day related to the shape of numbers like Pepero Day? |
| Please leave us a comment at KoreanClass101.com. |
| Thank you again for listening to Season 1 of the Holidays in South Korea Series! |
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