THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN ADOPTEE COMMUNITY - Oct 2025

Written By Korean Culture Center KCC

Happy Chuseok! 풍요로운 한가위 되세요.

By Jon Oaks

Chuseok Reflections for Adoptees

This October brings Chuseok (추석), one of Korea’s most important holidays. On Chuseok, families honor ancestors with memorial services, visit graves, give thanks for the harvest, and share special foods or seasonal fruits. It’s about returning, remembering, and renewing connections.

For adoptees, Chuseok can stir complex feelings: the traditions are deeply rooted in ancestral memory and lineage, yet many of us carry gaps or questions about our personal histories. But there’s also possibility: ways to reclaim, adapt, and connect. Some adoptees mark the holiday by cooking Korean dishes or learning about the symbolism behind traditional foods. Others take the day as a time of reflection by journaling, visiting nature, or honoring personal histories in their own way. In recent years, adoptee groups across the U.S. and abroad have also begun creating spaces to celebrate together, reshaping tradition into something inclusive and meaningful.

 

Ways to Observe Chuseok as an Adoptee

Chuseok falls on August 15th of the year by lunar calendar, so there will always be a full moon on Chuseok

Cook or share traditional foods

Try making songpyeon (송편, half-moon rice cakes made from rice flour and often filled with sweet beans or sesame), japchae (잡채, glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat), or jeon (전, savory Korean pancakes) with friends or family.

Spend time moon-gazing and writing poetry

The full moon of Chuseok is a symbol of abundance and unity. Take time to write wishes, reflect quietly, or simply enjoy its presence.

Create an art or ritual project

Make a small altar with photos, herbs, or personal keepsakes. You could also try crafting paper lanterns or working with hanji (한지, traditional handmade Korean paper).

Reflect and explore cultural traditions

Gather with other adoptees or friends to share stories, memories, or personal reflections.

 

Learn More About Chuseok

If you’re interested in learning more, you can look into traditional activities like ganggangsullae (강강술래, a circle dance performed under the full moon), yutnori (윷놀이, a stick-throwing board game often played during holidays), or ssireum (씨름, traditional Korean wrestling). Even reading about these practices or watching videos can spark connection without needing to lead an event yourself.

Here are a few resources that give helpful introductions and perspectives on Chuseok (추석):

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art – Chuseok Overview A clear introduction to the holiday, its rituals, and its significance. https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/chuseok/

Go! Go! Hanguk – Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok) A beginner-friendly overview of history, rituals, and traditional foods, especially helpful for those outside Korea. https://gogohanguk.com/en/blog/korean-thanksgiving/

The Korea Herald – Traditions of Chuseok, Past and Present A feature showing how Chuseok has evolved over time, balancing old customs with modern life. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2954026

Chuseok & Korean Cultural Events

 

Closing

Chuseok reminds us that family is not only about ancestry, but also about the relationships and communities we create. Whether through cooking, reflection, learning, or gathering, adoptees continue to find ways to make this holiday meaningful. As we share stories, build connections, and honor both the known and unknown parts of our histories, we create traditions that are uniquely ours. May this Chuseok be a reminder that belonging can be shaped as much by choice and community as by lineage and that every act of remembrance, connection, and creativity adds to the collective story we are writing together.

Korean Culture Center KCC
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