Why May Is Family Month In Korea And How It's Changing

May in South Korea is a significant holiday as Children’s Day (May 5) and Parent’s Day (May 8) are celebrated—widely known as Family Month. Flower shops are usually busy during this month because flowers are one of the traditional gifts to parents during this celebration, and families traditionally increase their spending because of expensive dinners and gift sets.

However, Koreans' views on family in 2025 are changing in different aspects. Amid rising inflation and the economy, Korean families are not having a grand celebration. Koreans are also prioritizing their careers over families, according to the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion.

History of Family Month

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Bang JeongHwan, a supporter of children's rights and an independence activist, observed Children's Day for the first time in 1923. The Child Welfare Act of 1961 granted the holiday legal validity, and May 5 was formally declared the day to commemorate the event in 1945.

Korea observes Parents' Day, in contrast to many other nations that have distinct days for each parent. Christian missionaries are credited with introducing the idea of Mother's Day. President Rhee SyngMan proclaimed May 8th to be Mother's Day in 1956. But in 1973, it was renamed Parents' Day in response to growing calls for a Father's Day. Children usually enjoy meals with their parents on this day and offer them handcrafted messages and roses.

From Flower Shops to Secondhand Apps

Screenshot from Karrot app

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