Koreans celebrate birthdays with both traditional customs and familiar practices like cake and candles.
While individual birthdays are celebrated similarly to Western customs with cake and candles, a unique aspect of Korean culture is the shared aging on New Year's Day. According to the provided reference, everyone in Korea celebrates aging together on New Year's Day by consuming a special soup. This means that "you are actually older in Korea than you are in the United States!"
Here’s a breakdown of some key aspects:
- Individual Birthdays: Just like in many Western cultures, Koreans celebrate their actual day of birth.
- Cake and Candles: The reference explicitly states that cake and candles are part of the celebration, similar to traditions in other cultures.
- New Year's Celebration: The reference says on New Years, everyone eats soup to age.
