Twelve-year-old Minjun lived in Seoul, where his science teacher had just taught him the astronomical seasons: winter begins on the winter solstice, around December 21 or 22. That evening, he proudly told his grandfather, Harabeoji, “Winter starts on December 22 this year.”
Then, on December 22, they stood on a bridge over the Han River in Seoul. The thermometer read minus six Celsius. “And today,” Harabeoji said, “the sun reaches its lowest point. From now, the light slowly returns. That is also winter’s beginning.” when does winter start in korea
Minjun tilted his head. “Two winters?” Twelve-year-old Minjun lived in Seoul, where his science
Winter in Korea is not just a season; it’s a mood that creeps in with the drying of the autumn leaves and solidifies with the first howling Siberian wind. It is a season of stark beauty, frozen rivers, and the comfort of steamy odeng (fish cake) soup on a street corner. “And today,” Harabeoji said, “the sun reaches its
His grandfather explained: according to the lunar calendar, winter begins around the start of Lidong (입동)—usually November 7 or 8. That’s when farmers traditionally prepared kimchi and stored root vegetables. But by the solar calendar used in schools, winter began at the solstice. And by feeling? Winter in Korea truly starts when the first Siberian wind sweeps down from Manchuria, usually in late November, turning the golden ginkgo leaves to dust overnight.
In Korea, the arrival of winter is not a single event. It is a dramatic clash between ancient astronomy and a very modern, very sharp, drop in temperature.
Instead of answering, his grandfather took him on a weekend trip to the old village. On November 8— Lidong —they woke before dawn. The old man pointed to the persimmon trees, dried and hanging with orange fruit like little suns. “See? The birds are already fluffing their feathers. The air smells of frozen earth. This is when we say winter has entered.”