발렌타인데이 (Valentine’s Day)

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day on 14 February is widely treated as the day when women give chocolate to men. The gift may be for a boyfriend or crush, but students and coworkers also exchange small items, so the day appears in schools, offices, cafés, and shops rather than only on dates. From early February, convenience stores, bakeries, and department stores put out heart-themed displays, boxed chocolates, and wrapping materials. Some people buy branded assortments, while others make homemade truffles, brownies, or chocolate bark to hand over after class or after work. A simple line on the day is often about the gift itself: “I prepared chocolate,” or “Did you get any chocolate?”

Exactly one month later, White Day falls on 14 March and reverses the direction of the gift. Men are expected to return the Valentine gesture, traditionally with candy, though cookies, chocolate, macarons, and small bouquets are also common now. In the days before 14 March, candy displays fill convenience stores and chain bakeries, and gift counters in malls sell pastel boxes and ribboned bags labeled for White Day. Couples often meet in the evening for dinner, dessert, or a café date, and the return gift is handed over then. Because the two dates are linked, Koreans usually talk about them as a set rather than as completely separate celebrations.

The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.