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South Korean Families Embrace Smaller, Diverse Celebrations for New Life
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

South Korean Families Embrace Smaller, Diverse Celebrations for New Life

From Dong-A Ilbo · (10m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • South Korean families are shifting from large-scale traditional events like 'doljanchi' (first birthday parties) to smaller, more intimate celebrations.
  • Trends include 'gender reveal' parties and elaborate maternity photoshoots, focusing on commemorating specific moments of pregnancy and early childhood.
  • Experts attribute this shift to declining birth rates, increased focus on individual children, and evolving family cultures emphasizing experiential consumption.

South Korea is witnessing a significant transformation in how families celebrate milestones related to pregnancy and childbirth. The once-grand 'doljanchi' (first birthday parties) are being scaled down, replaced by a growing trend of more intimate gatherings and personalized events. This evolution reflects deeper societal changes, including a declining birth rate and a shift in family values.

I think it's the first event just for the new life to be born. Rather than the gender being important, the meaning lies in being able to record a more special and memorable moment through the device of gender reveal.

— Unspecified individualReflecting on the significance of gender reveal parties.

New celebratory practices like 'gender reveal' parties and sophisticated maternity photoshoots are gaining popularity. These events are designed to capture and commemorate specific moments of the pregnancy journey, such as the announcement of the pregnancy itself or the revelation of the baby's gender. Couples are opting for 'small' events, often shared only with close friends and family, prioritizing meaningful experiences over large, costly affairs.

I planned a surprise family event to announce the pregnancy to both sets of parents in January. I sent my parents a link to a virtual news website I created myself, saying I 'accidentally did a news interview.' My parents were surprised by the pregnancy news on the 'fake' news website and were deeply moved by their bright smiles.

— Sung Min-jungDescribing a creative way to announce a pregnancy to family.

Experts like Lee Hong-joo, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women's University, suggest that the heightened emotional and financial investment in fewer children is driving this trend. The focus has shifted from the scale of the event to the quality of the experience and the creation of lasting memories. This aligns with a broader societal move towards experiential consumption, where the value is placed on unique and memorable moments rather than material possessions or ostentatious displays.

It seems like something that could have passed by as just a small event became even more special and memorable.

— Kim Ye-eunSharing her experience with a gender reveal event.

Furthermore, the economic burden associated with traditional large-scale events is a significant factor. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Consumer Studies at Inha University points out that the perceived obligation to host and attend expensive events is diminishing as relationships become more fluid. This leads to a preference for simpler, family-centric celebrations. While social media and consumerism play a role, the underlying shift is a redefinition of family culture and a more focused, personalized approach to celebrating new life.

I wanted to make it a fun process with acquaintances. As we are preparing for a child, events like balloons, cakes, and venue rentals are also a financial burden.

— SungExplaining the financial considerations behind choosing smaller celebrations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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