It’s Feb. 15 and here in Korea we’re observing Jeongwol Daeboreum (literally “Great Full Moon Day”), the first full moon in the lunar calendar.
Traditionally farmers looked to the first full moon of the year as a time to take stock and predict whether they will have an abundant harvest and good fortune for the year.
Villagers would celebrate with good food, music and participate in folk games like tug-of-war. In essence, it was a team building exercise before the hard work of the upcoming farming season began!
In Jeju, Jeongwol Daeboreum is also closely associated with the Jeju Fire Festival held annually at Saebyeol Volcanic Cone for the last 25 years.
This year’s Jeju Fire Festival is scheduled for March 17~20 and like last year will focus on contactless celebrations and a fireworks extravaganza that you can enjoy streaming online in real time.
During the Jeju Fire Festival there are reenactments of a very important seasonal tradition where farmers, in advance of spring, set fire to their pastures to rid fields of old straw, grass and pests.
Did you know?
The Jeju Fire Festival used to be called the Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival and was held around this time of the year. In the last few years the dates of the festival have been moved to the warmer weather of March.
Keep in Touch With Jeju!
Jeju Island’s official information site: Visitjeju.net
Free Jeju Travel Info Available by Chat (Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. KST)
The JTO’s informative YouTube channel: Visit Jeju Global
Jeju Tourism Organization Travel Blog 