Have you ever heard about Parents’ Day? Since we were born, we’ve shown our parents love and appreciation in one form or another. Our relationship with our parents may not always be perfect, but there is so much for us to thank them for. It can be surprising how much we don’t show our thankfulness.

Parents’ Day is all about celebrating our parents! Below we will tell you all about this holiday celebrated globally but is especially important in Korea. It can also give you some great insight into Korean culture.

What is Parents’ Day?

Parents’ Day is a family event where the focus is on celebrating the parents each year, recognizing the important role of parents in nurturing and raising children. This day is a holiday in Korea and the United States but celebrated on different dates. In Korea, it is a public holiday where people get a day off work. It is a newer holiday to celebrate than Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are.

In the United States, it started when Republican Senator Trent Lott introduced the bill which President Bill Clinton signed later on into a congressional resolution called “Parents’ Day Resolution”. This paved the way for National Parents’ Day to be celebrated since 1995. Since then, this has become a national observance up to the local governments, which was held on the fourth Sunday of July.

Globally, it was created by United Nations in 2012, declaring it as the Global Day of Parents. Although celebrated by many, it is not seen as an actual public holiday.

When is Parents’ Day celebrated?

Parents’ Day is celebrated on different dates across countries worldwide. In Korea, Parents’ Day or 어버이날 (eobeoinal) is celebrated as a holiday on a national level each year on May 8th. Globally, June 1st is designated as the Global Day of Parents. In the United States, Parents’ Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July.

During the celebrations of Parents’ Day, different activities and events are enjoyed to show appreciation, recognition, and love towards parents’ role in raising their children.

Parents’ Day in Korea

South Korea is one of the countries in the world that like to commemorate Parents’ Day in a big way. In many other countries, the concept of a Parents’ Day may be unknown, especially compared to the other holidays for our parents, but South Korea is all about Parents’ Day.

Because of that, unlike in the United States or most parts of the world, South Korea does not have a separate Mother’s or Father’s Day.

History of Parents’ Day in Korea

The first Parents’ Day was celebrated in Korea in 1973. Annually, the date of celebration falls on May 8th. It is not a public holiday, but it is widely celebrated. Initially, the entire week was designated as a week for respecting the elderly.

However, since 1997, October has been dedicated as the month for the elderly. Now, May is known more as a month of the family as, in addition to Parents’ Day, Children’s Day is also celebrated during the start of the month.

Is Korea celebrating Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day was already celebrated in Korea since the 1930s. Eventually, May 8 was officially designated as the day for the annual Mother’s Day celebration in Korea in 1956. This went on until 1973 when Parents’ Day replaced Mothers’ Day.

Is Korea celebrating Father’s Day?

Korea does not celebrate Fathers’ Day separately. When Mother’s Day was established, considerations towards creating a Father’s Day in addition to Mother’s Day arose. This led to the new designation of May 8 as Parents’ Day instead of just Mother’s Day.

Does Korea celebrate Parents’ Day like the U.S.?

Although Korea and the U.S. both recognize Parents’ Day, they celebrate this event differently. In the U.S., people celebrate National Parents’ Day yearly on the fourth Sunday of July on national levels. The National Parents’ Day council organizes events and ceremonies for National Parents’ Day, recognizing, uplifting, and supporting outstanding parents with Parents of the Year award programs.

This also serves as an event that encourages organizations and local governmental bodies and legislative entities to support parents who serve as role models to their children. Through this, they promote, responsible parenting, positive parenthood, and educational efforts.

On this day, parents or parental figures with the role of parents often receive gifts like cakes, flowers, cards, or food hampers from their families. National Parents’ Day greetings and tributes are also often made at events in the community or through church services.

How is Parents’ Day celebrated in Korea?

On the other hand, here is how this day is celebrated in Korea. The first and best way is by celebrating it with your exemplary parents!

Children often write letters in school dedicated to their parents. At many schools, a special Parents’ Day Ceremony is also held. Children will sing a song made to celebrate this day, and their parents are invited. There is also a special activity arranged, where the children will wash their parents’ feet.

For adults, they usually take time out of their day to have a meal with their parents, coupled with a gift or a gift certificate as a show of gratitude. For the elderly, some activities are arranged as well. For example, social organizations will arrange for visits and activities for those in nursing homes.

Parents’ Day in Korea gifts

As mentioned above, school-aged children typically gift their parents with letters and handmade red carnations. Meanwhile, some of the most popular gifts for adult children to give are gift certificates, medical check-ups, vacations, and simply money, or other practical gifts such as mattresses and household appliances. It’s also common to cook a meal for your parents or take them out for dinner.

What are the commonly used words on Parents’ Day?

We’ve listed down some words and phrases that are commonly used on Parents’ Day.

Korean Parents’ Day Words

Here is some Korean vocabulary that you’ll often hear on Parents’ Day.

Korean	English
어버이날 (eobeoinal)	Parents' Day
부모님 (bumonim)	parents
가족 (gajok)	family
효자 (hyoja)	devoted son
효녀 (hyonyeo)	devoted daughter
편지 (pyeonji)	letter
아이 (ai)	child
아이들 (aideul)	children
카네이션 (kaneisyeon)	carnation
선물 (seonmul)	present
공경 (gonggyeong)	respect
5월 8일 (owol paril)	May 8th
가정의 달 (gajeongui dal)	month of the family

Phrases that you can say on Parents’ Day

Here are some common phrases that children say to their parents on Parents’ Day.

Korean	English
어머니, 아버지 저를 낳아주시고 길러주셔서 감사합니다. (eomeoni, abeoji jeoreul naajusigo gilleojusyeoseo gamsahamnida.)	Mother and father, thank you for giving birth and raising me
감사합니다. 그리고 사랑합니다. (gamsahamnida. geurigo saranghamnida.)	Thank you. And I love you.
엄마, 아빠 오래오래 건강하세요. (eomma, appa oraeorae geonganghaseyo.)	Mom and dad, stay healthy for a long time.
엄마, 아빠 늘 사랑해요. (eomma, appa neul saranghaeyo.)	Mom and dad, I always love you.

Does your family also celebrate National Parents’ Day on May 8th, or every fourth Sunday in July? Or perhaps another holiday similar to this? From now on, do you intend to enjoy parents’ day when it comes around during the year? Let us know in the comments!

Another big holiday celebrated in South Korea in May is Buddha’s Birthday. Maybe you’d like to read about that next?

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