One thing I’ve noticed quite a few times while watching Korean dramas is how beautiful their lantern festivals look. I honestly don’t know much about the festivals themselves, or whether they are still celebrated in the same way today. But whenever I see those scenes in a drama, I always find myself looking at the lanterns and thinking, wow, this is really beautiful.
There is just something about seeing hundreds of lanterns lighting up the streets at night. The colours, the traditional designs, the buildings in the background, and sometimes people walking around in traditional Korean clothes. Everything comes together so nicely that it almost doesn't look real.
I know that because these are dramas, some of what we see is probably made to look extra beautiful for the camera. Still, I believe there must be something special about experiencing the real thing.
What I find interesting is that the lanterns aren't just there to make the place look pretty. From what I have gathered from watching their dramas, Korean lantern festivals have religious and cultural meanings behind them, especially the lantern festivals connected to Buddhism. The lanterns can represent things like wisdom, hope, peace and wishes for a better future.
And I think that is what makes them even more interesting to me. Sometimes when we watch things from another country, we only notice the surface, the beautiful clothes, food, buildings, festivals and scenery. But behind all of these things is a history and a culture that we may not fully understand as outsiders.
For me, Korean dramas have actually made me curious about a lot of these things.
You start watching a drama because of the story or the actors, and then suddenly you notice a traditional ceremony, a type of food you have never seen before, an old palace, a festival or even something as simple as the way people celebrate an occasion. Before you know it, you are searching to find out what it is.
That is how I feel about the lantern festivals. I would really love to see one in person someday if they are still doing it. Not just through the camera of a Korean drama, but actually being there, walking among the lanterns and seeing all those lights with my own eyes.
I imagine it must be such a beautiful experience, especially in the evening when the lanterns are glowing and the whole place is lit up.
There are so many cultures around the world that we know very little about until something catches our attention. For me, this is one of those little things that has made me want to learn more about Korea.
Maybe someday I will get the opportunity to visit during one of these festivals. Until then, I guess I will continue admiring them whenever they appear in my favourite Korean dramas.
Have you ever attended a Korean lantern festival in person? Are they still doing it. If they are and If you have been there in person, I would honestly love to hear what it was like.
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