Experience Korean Culture: Traditional Coming-of-Age Ceremony for 19-Year-Olds and Foreigners

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Yongin Special City announced on May 18 that it staged a traditional coming-of-age ceremony at the City Hall Vision Hall for roughly 20 people, including young residents born in 2007 who turned 19 this year and several foreign participants.

Coming of Age Day is a legally designated commemorative day intended to remind young people of their responsibilities as members of society and to instill pride in entering adulthood. Each year, the city holds a traditional coming-of-age ceremony for those reaching adulthood on the third Monday in May.

At the event, participants took part in samga-rye, changing into traditional adult garments and headwear three times to learn about their roles within the family and society. They also practiced cho-rye, the etiquette associated with being recognized as adults, including the ceremonial drinking of a cup of wine.

The participants then read a coming-of-age declaration, pledging to adopt an adult mindset and to act responsibly. The declaration both acknowledged their new status as adults and affirmed the roles and obligations they hold as members of the community.

One Vietnamese participant said, “K-pop’s global popularity naturally sparked my interest in Korean culture, so I joined this coming-of-age ceremony. Wearing a brightly colored hanbok and pinning a binyeo in my hair to experience traditional Korean culture felt wonderful.”

Separately from this event, the city is running a visiting traditional coming-of-age program for local institutions and organizations during Coming-of-Age Week, May 19–22.

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