The Four 'Romantic Holidays'

In the calendar year, there are four 'romantic' days for Koreans in the modern age. These days do not have long cultural histories for most of them were established during the 20th century. 

The first of the four is Valentine's Day which is just like the ones held around the world on the 14th of February except with a tweaked focus of the girls presenting their romantic interest or significant other with chocolate and gifts. However, it is not a rule set in stone and some couples and individuals choose to celebrate the day in the more common way.

The second of the four is White Day on the 14th of March. It is the reverse of Valentine's Day in that it is the guys' turn to either return the 'proposed' affection on Valentine's with chocolate and gifts on White Day. For people in relationships, it would just be a 'second half' to the 2-part series. 

The third of the four is Black Day which is held on the 14th of April. It is a Singles Awareness Day of sorts in Korea, as it is a day for singles who did not receive gifts on either Valentine's or White Day. The tradition is that singles would meet or go out to eat jjajangmyeon (짜장면), white Korean noodles with black bean sauce, to either celebrate or hold back the sorrows of singledom. 

The fourth and last is Pepero Day held on the 11th of November (11/11). It is named after the snack cookie sticks and falls on the particular day as 11/11 resembles four Pepero sticks in a row. It is like Valentine's and White Day in that confectionary and gifts are exchanged and gifted; but with the factor of no limitations of whose 'turn' it is. 

These four holidays are very commercial in nature, and are observed mainly by the younger population of Korea; which is the majority of the population considering the high majority of the population are under the age of 50.

-David

Sources:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6JcuZt_GP0/TViN55yE2aI/AAAAAAAACdk/7NjbekLWdiY/s320/heart.jpg
http://www.todayandtomorrow.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/louis_vuitton.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Korean_black_bean_noodle_dish-Jaengban_Jajangmyeon-01.jpg
http://adventureteachingkorea.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pepero.jpg