Valentine's Day

In the West, lovers usually express their love for each other by presenting cards, flowers, or confectionery on Saint Valentine's Day. In Japan, however, it is the day that girls give chocolate to boys. Additionally, office ladies hand out chocolate to their boss and co-workers to express their friendship (namely, giri-choco). It is believed that a confectionery company (i.e., Morinaga) originated the present custom in Japan. On Mar 14, called White Day, men oblige to pay back more expensive gifts to the women who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day.

On this winter, Japanese confectionery companies have marketed "gyaku-choko" to men. "Gyaku" means "reverse" and so the gyaku-choko indicates that men give chocolate to women on Valentine's day. See the photo. This is the chocolate designed for the "gyaku-choco". The inverted image implies "gyaku".

In South Korea, there are more holidays. On April 14, or Black Day, people who could not find their partner on Valentine's Day get together in black clothes and eat Jajangmyeon (noodles with black bean sauce). On May 14, or Yellow Day, men who failed to get girlfriend until then have to eat curry in yellow clothes. On the same day, couples present roses for each other. The day is also called Rose Day.