How K-Pop Culture Celebrates Seol – Comparing Sinjeong (Jan 1st) and Gujeong (Seollal)
- lewishooper1
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
We look at how Korea rings in the New Year twice—blending modern resolutions with ancient family rites, from K-pop countdowns to hanbok and tteokguk.
For Seollal (Lunar New Year), K-idols honor traditions by posting official, heartfelt greetings to their fans while wearing elegant Hanbok and performing the respectful, deep Sebae bow. Conversely, Sinjeong (Solar New Year) is generally marked by high-fashion group appearances at major televised events, like the MBC Gayo Daejejeon, where they showcase modern suits and glamorous gowns. The Dojeon team really loves this contrast because it highlights how K-idols seamlessly balance deeply rooted Korean culture with their contemporary, global celebrity image in order to pay their respects and leave fans feeling included more harmoniously during these celebrations.
Family blessings are an important focus for many Koreans, as it allows them to keep their rich cultural heritage, while at the same time showcasing their success in the modern world. For Seollal, K-pop content centers on the traditional, warm wish, "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo" (Receive many New Year’s blessings), often paired with playful advice to eat Tteokguk (rice cake broth) to age well. The Dojeon team has to say that this is a dish to try if you are ever in Korea during this time of year, as it is literally sold on every street corner and market.
In contrast, agency messages around Sinjeong are typically forward-looking and business-focused, utilizing the start of the calendar year to announce the group's "Yearly Roadmap" for new albums and global tours. This difference showcases their commitment to both cultural preservation and meeting high-performance expectations, which allows fans to feel a more personal connection to them during this time of year.
Traditional games are very popular these days, almost as much as they were in the past. Since many K-pop groups and idols spend a lot of time on social media, likewise for their fans, time away from the screen is a great opportunity to play traditional folk games like the popular board game Yut Nori during Seollal.
In contrast, the main focus of Sinjeong's content is the intense delivery of their hit songs on a major broadcast stage or during a celebratory company-wide concert as the New Year countdown commences. This demonstrates the holiday shift from intimate, traditional team bonding to high-energy, public performance, and one that the Dojeon team believes is the perfect chance to embrace traditional Korean culture.
For Seollal, companies typically schedule a brief official vacation, allowing Korean members a vital break to travel home and spend quality time with their families, thus temporarily pausing public schedules. This is something the stars have to put up with to be successful, but does this often come at a cost?
However, the Sinjeong period is strictly a peak work time, requiring groups to attend and perform at various consecutive, major year-end and New Year's Day award ceremonies. This clear distinction highlights the difference between family-focused rest and high-intensity public commitments. The Dojeon team thinks that this is an important respite for K-idols in what can only be described as a full-on and intense schedule for the rest of the year.
Final thoughts
The Dojeon team firmly believes that the K-pop industry's approach to the New Year, from the modern countdowns of Sinjeong to the hanbok-clad traditions of Seollal, perfectly reflects South Korea's dual identity as a nation that embraces both global trends and deep cultural roots.
With the global increase in K-culture interest thanks to trends and social media, and focusing on the familial New Year and the Lunar New Year, the K-pop industry can effectively bridge the old and the new, keeping tradition relevant for its worldwide audience.
When and how do you celebrate the New Year? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know!