Every year on the third Monday in May, Korea celebrates the coming-of-age ceremony for young men and women turning 19 in that year. Aside from the ceremonies in different parts of the country, there is also an award ceremony to laud exemplary young adults. The usual gifts for this day are popularly given as a bouquet of red roses and, if lucky, a first kiss. Champagne and perfume are other two options with high-tech gadgets being the latest addition these days.

Despite the western appearance however, the coming of age ceremony has its own tradition dating as far as the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The first written record of Korea's coming of age ceremony is found in 965, during King Gwangjong's reign (925-975). It was written at the time that the young crown prince was presented with new grown-up garments to wear. It became a popular custom of the upper class people by the time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) where social codes were necessary to uphold various family rituals. 

The procession of the ceremony for a young man was divided into several segments. During ‘sigarye' the young man wore a full-length traditional Korean jacket called a ‘durumagi.' In ‘jaegarye,' he put on an outfit called a ‘simui' and a matching hat known as a ‘yugeon.' In ‘samgarye,' he would have his hair coiffed into topknots and wear a cylindrical hat woven from horsehair known as a ‘gat,' the adult's hat and a full ceremonial adult outfit that includes ‘dopo,' a formal coat and matching belt. Throughout the ceremony the young man would receive                                                     blessings from adults at each stage.

After the full clothing section there came the ‘chorye,' in which the young man would bow to all the guests out of gratitude, and have his first drink of alcohol amid all the well wishers. In the stage known as ‘jagwanjarye' the young man was given a new name referred to as a ‘ja,' a token of acknowledging his initiation as an adult finding his place in society. Finally, at the end of the ceremony, during the ‘goyuje,' the young man visited his ancestral shrine and made one final bow to older family members and relatives. The entire ritual was called a ‘gwallye.'

Meanwhile, girls put up their hair in a bun, fastened with a ‘binyeo,' an ornamental hairpin, and put on a Hanbok dress (usually with a green top known as a ‘jeogori' and a blue dress). Their coming of age ceremony would take place in the year they turned 15 and they would be taught the virtues of a woman. They too would visit ancestral shrines to inform the heaven of their maturity. The ritual would be called a ‘gyerye.'

The coming of age ritual was a prerequisite for both men and women to get married.

As recently as the mid-1950s it was quite common to see traditional coming of age rites held in towns and villages with the attendance of the elderly. By the latter half of the 20th century however, the influx of western culture and its manner of enjoying the rite of passage into adulthood came to replace traditional rites more and more.

In 1999, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in order to resurrect the tradition, came up with standardized coming of age rites to be practiced in schools and towns. The purpose was to remind young people of the pride and dignity of traditional culture and teach the true meaning of being a responsible member of society.

This year's coming of age ceremony falls on May 19. Today, at the large plaza in front of Seoul City Hall, the city hosted the traditional coming of age ceremony for 200 youths composed of not only Koreans but also exchange students to Korea. Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the occasion to observe the event.

Busan city made sure to have everything it needed for the flawless revival of the old ceremony with three kinds of clothing rituals, the declaration and other processions. Over 200 guests came to observe young people's initiation into adulthood. There would also be a session to teach how to wear a Hanbok, bow properly, conduct a tea ceremony and so on. 

Universities also celebrated their young students in their own way, such as quiet tea ceremonies and certificates or a full-fledged Hanbok ceremony.
From concerts to traditional plays and gayageum (12-string zither) and pansori performances, a slew of traditional and modern performances will be put on today to welcome young men and women into adulthood.