TOEFL ESSAY #1 : 'Saebe' (Custum to introduce to foreigners)

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   They say that people in the modern age are getting more and more distant. Although people now live closer to each other than any time in history, the actual intimacy is not so big. That phenomenon even applies to families and relatives; they gather less as time pass, and when you see people lesser your feelings of bond and care will not be as strong as it should, or can be. However in Korea, there is a tradition called 'Saebe', which is for all the families to gather on the first day of Lunar New Year and bow, trade well-wishing remarks, and also grant some money for the children. I would recommend this tradition, 'Saebe', to foreigners for them to adopt, for it has many virtues and merits.

  First of all, for 'Saebe', families and relatives gather on Lunar New Year, and get to meet all the members of the family. These days people are busy and even families cannot meet together easily. The problem with this is that as family members-especially those of distant relationships-encounter each other less and less, the feeling of 'family' and its bond will also decrease. This is a natural course, sadly, for the lesser you see the lesser you will think of him or her. But if there is a tradition for all members of the family to gather at least once a year, they will see each other regularly and get to know each other much better.

   Furthermore, 'Saebe' can assist in people starting a year with positive memories and feelings, along with tasty dishes. In 'Saebe', people trade well-wishing remarks and prepare traditional culinary dishes and enjoy them. As there even exists the famous proverb, 'Well begun is half done', starting a year with hearing good remarks and cheer-up messages is beneficial to one's mental health and feelings as well. Also nice, kind remarks can also arouse the 'good' chi(氣) around those people, as the Eastern world believes.

   Moreover, not only good wishes and food, but also some amount of money is given to the younger generation by the older generation. It is a symbol of 'good luck', and the money we receive is also called 'Bock-Don' which means 'Fortune money' literally. This custom can even arouse some interest from the children who might think of traditions such as this as 'old' and 'boring', because they receive some money to their likings. In addition, the money can be considered as a boon and an extra luck and be more of a surprise and luck.

   In summary, I strongly believe that the Korean custom 'Saebe' is a tradition that I would propose for people from other countries to adopt, because it can help us to contain more humanity and love, and to continue on having good family relationships. 'Saebe' can strengthen family relationships and affection between each other, and provide a positive start of year with sayings that contain lessons and good will. Finally, there is also the practice of giving some money to the young ones, and these customs all, I believe, will be beneficial for the sake of the family and will provide people with fortune starting from the New Year's Day.