Chuseok is the loneliest time in Korea for me, but being lonely isn't always necessary a bad thing. How do you all normally spend your holidays? Alone or with family? I miss my family during this time...
koreans too getting spend time alone instead of staying with family for whole time. like today, i got surprised that so many stores are open! not like last year! that means koreans specially youngers no longer need to stay with parents anymore and rather work or study. so maybe you felt lonely or people mention that, but no longer to feel that way, many shops open, you will see more people work or spend time alone outside including me! i took a great quiet peaceful holiday alone at the coffee shop.
@@espresso2709 While making this video, I was also surprised that many shops were open today! While I do see more Koreans staying in Seoul during this time, I still miss my family when I see everyone packing to go. I'll go visit my family this winter!!!:) Thank you for the wonderful comment!:)
I really enjoyed listening to how you think of being alone and an expat. Being "alone" is empowering in many ways. It allows you time to reflect, it allows you to be in the moment, to think about goals, to think about life and how things are going, there are so many benefits. In many ways, we often don't have much time to ourselves because of work, school, obligations, etc. I hope more people will think of "me time" in a positive light. I've visited Korea many times. I think your videos are inspiring!
@betamax1091 Your comment was inspiring, forget my video hahaha! Appreciate you watching and adding value to this topic! I think you also enjoy Korea as much as I do, which is why you have traveled here so often:)
추석이 외국인만 외롭거나 혼자만의 시간이 긴 것은 아닙니다 한국도 1인가구가 많아져서 예전의 추석 전통이 점점 사라지고 있습니다 나이들고 시간이 지날 수록 혼자만의 시간에 순응하며 즐기며 인내 할 줄 알아야 나중에라도 좀 더 나의 삶이 풍요로워 집니다 외국인이라 혼자만의 시간만 즐기지 마시고 주변의 한국사람들과 작은 만남이라도 꾸준히 해서 친구가 늘 나를 생각하고 있다는 느낌을 만들어 보세요 당신의 한국의 삶을 함께 응원하겠습니다~~~~^^ 작은 추석선물로 구독하고 갑니다!^^
Thank you so much for the gift, and you are right! I should reach out more to my Korean friends to let them know I am thinking about them. This was a great reminder. Thank you so much for this information in your comment!
Wow....thank you so much for the words:) Your comment makes me very happy! I appreciate your support and wish that you will have a wonderful Chuseok!!!:)
As an American living abroad, I can relate to a lot of what you say ( actually most of what you say). 😊 Happy Chusek to you and all your Korean viewers!
Thanks for sharing your Chuseok experience! As a foreigner, I guess it can be 50/50 how the holiday is experienced. I've met some great Korean friends this year and had an early Chuseok dinner with them over the weekend! While you'll find special Chuseok sales happening at the stores, compared to America, I feel Korea's Thanksgiving is more grounded and feels like a true harvest holiday especially with it's connection to the Lunar cycles. 🌕 Coming from the U.S. I feel like America's Thanksgiving is more of a rest stop leading into the Christmas holiday and Black Friday shopping. I'm not a farmer, but how many crops are being harvested in late November? I appreciate the traditions Korea has and feel myself scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to piece together what true traditions the U.S. really has outside of getting hyped up for the Super Bowl or the World Series. Saying that to say, I'm Team Chuseok ✨
Thanks for this comment, especially the historical-cultural comparisons! I do feel as if Thanksgiving in the US is just a pitstop for Christmas, especially for my stomach. I get to train my belly to eat turkey twice in a months time hahahha
Enjoy your own Chuseok, Francois! Nice time to reflect on life and your goals! Married life will be a huge step but if you think it is time, then all the best!
That's true...next time, I'll make my own Chuseok celebration hahha. Marriage is a big step, but so are all steps in life hahaha. I'm 41 years old. It's definitely time to settle!!:)
추석..순수 한국말은 가위, 또는 한가위라고 합니다..추석의 뜻은 가을중 가장 달이 크고 밝다라는뜻입니다.. 농경사회였던 한국은 한 해의 곡식을 추수하고 긴겨울을 준비하죠.. 가난했던 사람들도 추석만큼은 배부를수 있었던 날....전 당신의 영상을 오늘 처음 봤고, 취지가 좋아 구독자가 되었습니다. 타국 에서의 명절이라 많이 외로우실듯 하네요.. 고향의 부모님이나 지인들에게 연락이라도 해보시길 바랍니다..힘내시길..
I actually love the Chusok time when all the people go down to southern lands and the city is quiet and empty! But mind you ~ many Seoulites all have relatives within the city so except for that actual Chusok days everyone is having fun~
I love that time as well, but this year the city had so many people that I was very surprised! I guess it's as you say...many Seoulites have relatives in the city, so they don't need to travel. Just seems so different from the previous years!
In terms of the city not being as empty as expected, I went back to work today and was surprised by how many of my students said they didn’t go visit family this Chuseok. They stayed in the city. They all lamented the fact that they didn’t see their Grandparents to get money. 😂
@@francoismarc3 definitely seems like it. One student told me today she was happy not to go to see Grandmother because the drive was so long. She said her Dad went alone and she, her, mom, and sibling stayed home. The relief on her face was hilarious.
This is like LA during Christmas... The streets are empty, it's amazing! Also, interesting take on boredom... I believe there's a scale of introversion/extroversion where it meets secure/insecure attachment/avoidant... So true nature vs nurture. I'm on the extreme of both introversion and avoidant, so boredom and loneliness is something I never feel. Most of my grief is instead due to too many social obligations. Yet, my guess is that you are a moderately extroverted but also very independent/detached too, so you are extremely capable of being by yourself... but you also flourish in the company of a small group of friends--which also might be easier at the moment than one romantic partner. Not to diagnose you from afar, and we are all on sliding scales, but it is just interesting to see what an empty Seoul conjured up in your soul! (I will never use this bad pun again... I promise!!)
Hi, Francois!! Happy Korean Thanksgiving!! You should definitely visit 가평!! There is a beautiful half-moon-shaped island called "Nami" which is named after an American General during the Korean War if I am not mistaken. I have been there many times and it is really a romantic place. It's the perfect place to go if you like trees, lakes, nature, etc. There is a ferry boat that takes you to this island in 가평 and it only takes about 10 mins or so. You can just walk there as soon as you get off the 가평 station which takes about 15 mins. I highly recommend you take the subway/metro to get to 가평 station instead of a bus because it's faster and cheaper, and most importantly, it is the easiest way to go! From your place 영등포 station to 가평 station, it shouldn't take more than an hour and a half!! Three hours round trip. It is totally doable in one day!! Good luck brother!!
Hey, thanks so much for this information!!! I was actually thinking about how I should get out to Gapyeong, so looks like I will take the train, as per your recommendation!! You've just made my life a little easier! Thanks so much!!!:)
Enjoy your time there brother! You will love it. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place! It reminds me of Lake Lanier and Allatoona Lake when I was living in Atlanta. I know you probably been to these places knowing you are from Atlanta, Ga!@@francoismarc3
The American Thanksgiving is quite fundamentally different from the traditional Korean Chuseok( or Mid Autumn Festival), therefore, it is correct to say Korean words Chuseok or Hangawi.
A bit different, but the idea is similar. At the root, both celebrations are vastly different. However, in three modern area, both are about spending time with family, I believe:) Thanks for your valued comment!
@@francoismarc3it is the most apt comparison for foreigners, particularly Americans, to understand what to expect in terms of family gatherings, business closings, vibe, etc. Autumn needs to move faster. This Seoul summer is brutal to me. 😂
You should get yourself some baked turkey, casseroles, baked beans, cranberry sauce, an apple pie, a pecan pie, a pumpkin pie, macaroni & cheese, and pig out for days at home. Do Costco stores or some restaurants nearby sell Thanksgiving dinner? Are they all closed too??
although I'm a Korean, I spent on today alone 😢... I cried... My bf comforted me by message.. I want to move on USA... In Korea, I'm completely alone.. I had to planed for tomorrow also today as many places are closing for Thanksgiving day.
Oh no...I'm sorry you were alone today like me! Is your bf in the US? I'm sorry...long distance relationships are not fun, but hey, you can make it through! And you have a good bf who comforted you! I hope you will be able to move to the United States one day!!:)
@@francoismarc3네! 🥹 I hope I can live in where it's near my bf! That's why I'm studying English! He lives in US, I was looking for history book written in English about US, so I went to the Itaewon's foreign book store. The area was also few people today.
@@AlmondCake-h4u Oh wow, you are busy these days! And your English is good!!!! I think you, no, I'm sure you will meet your goal of living in the US in no time:)
Chuseok is the loneliest time in Korea for me, but being lonely isn't always necessary a bad thing. How do you all normally spend your holidays? Alone or with family? I miss my family during this time...
koreans too getting spend time alone instead of staying with family for whole time. like today, i got surprised that so many stores are open! not like last year! that means koreans specially youngers no longer need to stay with parents anymore and rather work or study. so maybe you felt lonely or people mention that, but no longer to feel that way, many shops open, you will see more people work or spend time alone outside including me! i took a great quiet peaceful holiday alone at the coffee shop.
@@espresso2709 While making this video, I was also surprised that many shops were open today! While I do see more Koreans staying in Seoul during this time, I still miss my family when I see everyone packing to go. I'll go visit my family this winter!!!:) Thank you for the wonderful comment!:)
I really enjoyed listening to how you think of being alone and an expat. Being "alone" is empowering in many ways. It allows you time to reflect, it allows you to be in the moment, to think about goals, to think about life and how things are going, there are so many benefits. In many ways, we often don't have much time to ourselves because of work, school, obligations, etc. I hope more people will think of "me time" in a positive light. I've visited Korea many times. I think your videos are inspiring!
@betamax1091 Your comment was inspiring, forget my video hahaha! Appreciate you watching and adding value to this topic! I think you also enjoy Korea as much as I do, which is why you have traveled here so often:)
I study Advaita Vedanta (Non-duality teachings). No one to feel lonely. No one to spend holidays with. There is no one; no-thing. 😊
추석이 외국인만 외롭거나 혼자만의 시간이 긴 것은 아닙니다 한국도 1인가구가 많아져서 예전의 추석 전통이
점점 사라지고 있습니다 나이들고 시간이 지날 수록 혼자만의 시간에 순응하며 즐기며 인내 할 줄 알아야 나중에라도 좀 더 나의 삶이 풍요로워 집니다 외국인이라 혼자만의 시간만 즐기지 마시고 주변의 한국사람들과 작은
만남이라도 꾸준히 해서 친구가 늘 나를 생각하고 있다는 느낌을 만들어 보세요
당신의 한국의 삶을 함께 응원하겠습니다~~~~^^ 작은 추석선물로 구독하고 갑니다!^^
Thank you so much for the gift, and you are right! I should reach out more to my Korean friends to let them know I am thinking about them. This was a great reminder. Thank you so much for this information in your comment!
저도 구독하고 갑니다.
가족들이 많이그리우시겠어요. 비록 고향에 계신 부모님을 못찾아뵈어도 영상통화라도 하시며 마음을 달래보세요. 저는 절에 다녀왔습니다. 조상님들의 극락왕생을 빌고 왔지요. 님의 한국생활을 응원합니다.항상 건강과 행복이 깃드시길 기원합니다. 해피 추석 😊
Wow....thank you so much for the words:) Your comment makes me very happy! I appreciate your support and wish that you will have a wonderful Chuseok!!!:)
As an American living abroad, I can relate to a lot of what you say ( actually most of what you say). 😊
Happy Chusek to you and all your Korean viewers!
Our plight as expats hahaha. Thanks for this comment and for the Happy Chuseok! If you are in Korea as well, Happy Chuseok to you too!!
감사합니다.
Omg...thank you so much!!!:( This makes cry... 대단히 감사합니다!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your Chuseok experience! As a foreigner, I guess it can be 50/50 how the holiday is experienced. I've met some great Korean friends this year and had an early Chuseok dinner with them over the weekend! While you'll find special Chuseok sales happening at the stores, compared to America, I feel Korea's Thanksgiving is more grounded and feels like a true harvest holiday especially with it's connection to the Lunar cycles. 🌕
Coming from the U.S. I feel like America's Thanksgiving is more of a rest stop leading into the Christmas holiday and Black Friday shopping. I'm not a farmer, but how many crops are being harvested in late November? I appreciate the traditions Korea has and feel myself scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to piece together what true traditions the U.S. really has outside of getting hyped up for the Super Bowl or the World Series. Saying that to say, I'm Team Chuseok ✨
Thanks for this comment, especially the historical-cultural comparisons! I do feel as if Thanksgiving in the US is just a pitstop for Christmas, especially for my stomach. I get to train my belly to eat turkey twice in a months time hahahha
추석이라 가족들이 더 생각나시겠네요😢 그래도 행복한 추석보내세요~!❤
네, 맞자요. 근데 추석 끝나고 좋을것 같아요:) 너의 논평 감사합니다!!! 즐거운 추석 잘 보내세요!!
한국인들에게 5일의 연휴는 너무나 짧아서 아쉽지만 그만큼 외국인분들의 외로운 시간도 빨리 지나가기를 바랍니다.😊
Now that Chuseok is over, I will go back to work and see my students! I will not be lonely anymore:) Thank you so much for this lovely message!!!:)
Enjoy your own Chuseok, Francois!
Nice time to reflect on life and your goals!
Married life will be a huge step but if you think it is time, then all the best!
That's true...next time, I'll make my own Chuseok celebration hahha. Marriage is a big step, but so are all steps in life hahaha. I'm 41 years old. It's definitely time to settle!!:)
@@francoismarc3😊
추석..순수 한국말은 가위, 또는 한가위라고 합니다..추석의 뜻은 가을중 가장 달이 크고 밝다라는뜻입니다.. 농경사회였던 한국은 한 해의 곡식을 추수하고 긴겨울을 준비하죠..
가난했던 사람들도 추석만큼은 배부를수 있었던 날....전 당신의 영상을 오늘 처음 봤고, 취지가 좋아 구독자가 되었습니다. 타국 에서의 명절이라 많이 외로우실듯 하네요.. 고향의 부모님이나 지인들에게 연락이라도 해보시길 바랍니다..힘내시길..
Thank you for your message and for your encouragement:) I will try to be strong!!!:):)
와우
선남이네요
선녀는 이곳에서 구하셔요
선남선녀🎉🎉🎉
와우!!! 대단히 감사합니다!!! Happy Chuseok!!!!!!:):)
@francoismarc3 ㅎ yes you're a very handsome man. Wishing you and your special someone the best. Hope you are not too lonely during the holidays :(
@@Jin-om5jz ah, thanks so much!!! My special someone is not in this country, unfortunately:( I wish you the best as well!!!:)
Happy Chuseok, Francois! 💙
Happy Chuseok, JC! Always appreciate you!!!!
요즘 한국인 며느리들이 추석에도 시댁인 시골을 안가기 때문에 서울에 점점 연휴 기간에 사람들이 많아지고 있어요
Ahhhh, that makes sense!!!!
I actually love the Chusok time when all the people go down to southern lands and the city is quiet and empty! But mind you ~ many Seoulites all have relatives within the city so except for that actual Chusok days everyone is having fun~
I love that time as well, but this year the city had so many people that I was very surprised! I guess it's as you say...many Seoulites have relatives in the city, so they don't need to travel. Just seems so different from the previous years!
외롭지만 다른 외국인 친구들이랑 함께 추석을 보내는것도 좋을것같아요! 해피 추석 되세요😁
Happy Chuseok! It was a good time, even though I was alone! Thank you so much for your comment!:)
Hi
🎉🎉
Hey hey!!!!
In terms of the city not being as empty as expected, I went back to work today and was surprised by how many of my students said they didn’t go visit family this Chuseok. They stayed in the city. They all lamented the fact that they didn’t see their Grandparents to get money. 😂
They just wanted the money lol. Korean culture is changing, definitely! What do you think???
@@francoismarc3 definitely seems like it. One student told me today she was happy not to go to see Grandmother because the drive was so long. She said her Dad went alone and she, her, mom, and sibling stayed home. The relief on her face was hilarious.
@@NinaPB The drive was long...lol I wish I had a few more with my late grandmother. I think some children aren't taught family dynamics at home...
This is like LA during Christmas... The streets are empty, it's amazing!
Also, interesting take on boredom... I believe there's a scale of introversion/extroversion where it meets secure/insecure attachment/avoidant... So true nature vs nurture. I'm on the extreme of both introversion and avoidant, so boredom and loneliness is something I never feel. Most of my grief is instead due to too many social obligations. Yet, my guess is that you are a moderately extroverted but also very independent/detached too, so you are extremely capable of being by yourself... but you also flourish in the company of a small group of friends--which also might be easier at the moment than one romantic partner.
Not to diagnose you from afar, and we are all on sliding scales, but it is just interesting to see what an empty Seoul conjured up in your soul!
(I will never use this bad pun again... I promise!!)
Brian, I love man...that's all I have to say this time hahahahahahaha Please continue being you!!!!!
ㅠㅠ 맛있는거도 많이 드시고 즐거운 추석 보내세요. 같이 함께 해주실 분이 계시면 좋을텐데. 제가 다 속상하네요.
:( I'll be happy when everyone returns from Chuseok:) Thank you for your concern!! Things will be better!!:)
Hi, Francois!!
Happy Korean Thanksgiving!!
You should definitely visit 가평!!
There is a beautiful half-moon-shaped island called "Nami"
which is named after an American General during the Korean
War if I am not mistaken. I have been there many
times and it is really a romantic place. It's the perfect place
to go if you like trees, lakes, nature, etc. There is a ferry boat
that takes you to this island in 가평 and it only takes about 10 mins or so.
You can just walk there as soon as you get off the 가평 station which takes about
15 mins. I highly recommend you take the subway/metro to get to 가평 station
instead of a bus because it's faster and cheaper, and most importantly, it is the easiest way to go!
From your place 영등포 station to 가평 station, it shouldn't take more than an hour and a half!! Three
hours round trip. It is totally doable in one day!! Good luck brother!!
Hey, thanks so much for this information!!! I was actually thinking about how I should get out to Gapyeong, so looks like I will take the train, as per your recommendation!! You've just made my life a little easier! Thanks so much!!!:)
Enjoy your time there brother! You will love it. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place! It reminds me of Lake Lanier and Allatoona Lake when I was living in Atlanta. I know you probably been to these places knowing you are from Atlanta, Ga!@@francoismarc3
@szvqorwnpstahskypfwmp9821 I've actually never been to either of these places, but I have heard of them hahaha. Thanks again for the recommendations!!
The American Thanksgiving is quite fundamentally different from the traditional Korean Chuseok( or Mid Autumn Festival), therefore, it is correct to say Korean words Chuseok or Hangawi.
A bit different, but the idea is similar. At the root, both celebrations are vastly different. However, in three modern area, both are about spending time with family, I believe:) Thanks for your valued comment!
@@francoismarc3it is the most apt comparison for foreigners, particularly Americans, to understand what to expect in terms of family gatherings, business closings, vibe, etc.
Autumn needs to move faster. This Seoul summer is brutal to me. 😂
You should get yourself some baked turkey, casseroles, baked beans, cranberry sauce, an apple pie, a pecan pie, a pumpkin pie, macaroni & cheese, and pig out for days at home. Do Costco stores or some restaurants nearby sell Thanksgiving dinner? Are they all closed too??
No turkey this time of the year:( But you are absolutely correct! The next time this season rolls around, I'll be much better prepared!!:)
although I'm a Korean, I spent on today alone 😢... I cried... My bf comforted me by message.. I want to move on USA... In Korea, I'm completely alone.. I had to planed for tomorrow also today as many places are closing for Thanksgiving day.
Oh no...I'm sorry you were alone today like me! Is your bf in the US? I'm sorry...long distance relationships are not fun, but hey, you can make it through! And you have a good bf who comforted you! I hope you will be able to move to the United States one day!!:)
@@francoismarc3네! 🥹 I hope I can live in where it's near my bf! That's why I'm studying English! He lives in US, I was looking for history book written in English about US, so I went to the Itaewon's foreign book store. The area was also few people today.
@@AlmondCake-h4u Oh wow, you are busy these days! And your English is good!!!! I think you, no, I'm sure you will meet your goal of living in the US in no time:)
call that a bridge? man i walked across the gwb (kinda drunk) to get home in the am hours
Lol At least you made it back in one piece hahaha
Yes being financially prepared makes marriage a lot easier.
Are you currently in a relationship?
Definitely makes marriage easier. I'm seeing someone now, but they aren't in Korea:(
@francoismarc3 yeah it's one less thing to argue about...money is a big source of marriage problems
Please please please do take care of your mental and emotional health. Give thanks. And thank you for this word
And thank you for reminding me about mental health! I appreciate this comment so much!!!:)
추석 잘보네세요~
너도!! 즐거운 추석 보내세요!!!
It's very lonely for me too, bro! lol
Yooooo, when we meeting?! Hahahaha
It was too short. Im at work.
I went to work today too, but I was happy because I could see people lol
@@francoismarc3 Wooo such a sweet guy!!
@@small1kki I'm not bad:)