Why Do Koreans Give Sebaetdon (New Year Money) at Seollal?
Koreans give sebaetdon (세뱃돈, "New Year's bow money") at Seollal because it is the reward and blessing that follows sebae, the deep New Year bow that children and younger relatives make to their elders. The elder accepts the bow, says a few words of good wishes for the year, and hands over money, usually in crisp new banknotes. One thing visitors often get wrong: in Korea the money is not traditionally given in red envelopes as in Chinese New Year. Korean families use white or patterned envelopes, or a small silk pouch called a bokjumeoni (복주머니, "luck pouch").
Sebae first, money second
Sebaetdon only makes sense together with the bow. On the morning of Seollal, after the family's ancestral rites (in families that still hold them) and a bowl of tteokguk, younger family members line up in front of grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. Many children wear hanbok for the day. They kneel and perform a full formal bow, then say a standard greeting: "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo" (새해 복 많이 받으세요), "Please receive lots of good fortune in the new year."
The elder replies with deokdam (덕담), short words of encouragement: study well, stay healthy, find a good job, get married this year. Then the envelope comes out. So the money is not a payment for bowing; it is the physical part of a blessing that passes from the older generation to the younger one.
Why the bow matters so much
Korean family culture puts weight on respect between generations, and Seollal is one of the few days a year when the whole extended family meets in one place. The bow is a way for the young to show respect at the start of the year, and the gift is a way for elders to show care and wish them a good future. Many Koreans remember sebaetdon as the moment their childhood New Year really began.
Why crisp new bills?
Elders try to give clean, freshly printed banknotes rather than worn ones. A new bill feels like a fresh start, and handing over wrinkled money to a child on such a symbolic day can feel careless. Before every Seollal, Korean news shows people queuing at banks to exchange old notes for new ones, and banks and the Bank of Korea often limit how many new notes each person can get because demand is so high.
Why not red envelopes?
In Chinese and some other Lunar New Year cultures, red is the lucky colour and the red packet is the symbol of the holiday. Korea shares the lunar calendar but developed its own customs. Traditional Korean sebaetdon was often wrapped in white paper or tucked into a bokjumeoni pouch, and modern stores sell envelopes in many designs: cartoon characters, hanbok patterns, the year's zodiac animal, or simple white with calligraphy. A red envelope is not offensive, but it reads as a Chinese custom rather than a Korean one.
How much do people give?
There is no fixed amount, and it depends on the family's means, the child's age and how close the relationship is. Very young children usually receive less than high school or university students, and many Koreans joke every year about how "inflation" has hit sebaetdon. If you are a guest, you are not expected to know the family's own customs; follow your host's lead.
Who gives to whom
- Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles give to children, teenagers and unmarried young adults.
- Working adult children often give money to their own parents instead, sometimes called yongdon (pocket money), as thanks.
- Students usually stop receiving sebaetdon once they start working or get married, though many families stretch the rule.
How sebaetdon is changing
Like everything else in Korea, New Year money has gone digital. Mobile banking and messenger payment apps offer special New Year "money envelope" designs, so relatives who cannot travel home can still send sebaetdon by phone. Some parents now open a savings account for their children and deposit the money, teaching them about saving. Even so, the bow and the envelope are still the heart of Seollal morning in most families.
The other famous Seollal ritual is the rice cake soup. Read why Koreans eat tteokguk and "gain a year" to complete the picture.
Visiting Korea at Seollal
Seollal follows the lunar calendar, so the date moves every year. In 2027 Seollal day falls on Sunday, February 7, and the public holiday period is expected to run around February 6–9 including a substitute holiday; check the official announcement before you book. Many family-run shops and restaurants close for a day or two while palaces, big malls and tourist areas usually stay open. Our guide to what is open and closed at Seollal covers the practical side.
Quick tips
- If a Korean family invites you, learning to say "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo" will make everyone smile.
- Giving to a host's children? Use a plain white or patterned envelope and new bills, and hand it over with two hands.
- Do not open your envelope in front of the giver if you are an adult guest; say thank you and put it away.
- Department stores and stationery shops sell sebaetdon envelopes in the weeks before Seollal; they make an inexpensive, very Korean souvenir.
FAQ
Do Koreans use red envelopes for New Year money?
Not traditionally. Korean sebaetdon is usually given in white or decorated envelopes or a bokjumeoni pouch. Red packets are associated with Chinese New Year.
Do you have to bow to receive sebaetdon?
In most families, yes. The money is given after the sebae bow as part of the elder's New Year blessing.
Is it rude to give old banknotes?
It is not a serious offence, but new bills are strongly preferred because they symbolise a clean start to the year.
Should a foreign visitor give sebaetdon?
Not expected. If you are staying with a family and want to give something to their children, a small amount in new bills is a kind gesture; ask your host first.