Questioning A Korean Wedding Tradition

Chandler Thomas
Soc 202 TR 12:30
Blog #12
11/17/2009
9:53 pm

A cashier and cash-filled envelopes are fixtures of traditional Korean weddings. These things are just as important as the wedding officiant himself. One of South Korea's top financial regulator's, Kim Jong-chang, eliminated this tradition from his daughter's wedding recently. He believes that bribery is a major issue with it being abused. Its now being termed as wasteful and vote-buying. So there is now a fight against this long standing tradition, to stop the "vain and extravagant" culture they have created for their weddings. Nowadays, having a low-key wedding is called an oddity, its considered gossip worthy. The abuse of this tradition got so bad that bank account numbers were being put on invitations, and I.O.U.'s were being sent out by people that could not make it. The old standing of the "you help me, I help you" is being worn out and forgotten. Now its a chance for families to show off and create weddings that are more productions than ritual events.

I have to say I completely agree. I have nothing against having a big wedding, inviting tons of guests, or accepting cash gifts. But, it would not be showing off or expected in anyway shape or form. It would be fine if there were no gifts of money. This is a lovely giving tradition that has remodeled into an ugly judgmental event. I couldn't imagine being told my wedding didn't receive enough in cash gifts, I would be insanely grateful for every little penny. So, yes, this is kind of sad. Hopefully they can tone down the attitude and keep some of the original tradition from their culture in it so it still feels real to them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/world/asia/18iht-gifts.html?_r=1&ref=world