The Lunar New Year holiday, or "Seollal" in Korean, is just around the corner.<br />It's next Tuesday, but with the weekend, people are enjoying an extended break lasting until Wednesday.<br />Normally time of year, Koreans spend time with family and relatives, perform ancestral rites... and enjoy traditional food and games.<br />For foreigners who'd like to experience these traditions, there are a number of events offering a chance to do that.<br />Our Choi Si-young reports. <br /><br />A deep bow to the elders called "Sebae" is a Korean traditional New Year's greeting that is a sign of blessing for the coming new year.<br /><br /> From this Tuesday to Wednesday, visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace can try out Sebae while it is open to the public for free.<br /><br />Deoksugung Palace will also be freely accessible during the holidays, where guests can play the Korean traditional outdoor game "Jegichagi" in which players kick "Jegi," a small coin wrapped in paper, into the air and attempt to keep it aloft. <br />There, they can also play traditional folk game "Yutnori," a board game where players toss four sticks.<br />"Tuho" or pitch-pot is another traditional game the visitors can enjoy.<br /><br /> Other eye-catching events are being held in the Korean Folk Village during the holidays.<br />Visitors can enjoy Korean folk music performance -- such as drumming, dancing and singing -- and traditional tightrope walking.<br />Known as "Jultagi," this acrobatic performance is different from other countries' tightrope walking because this is usually accompanied by music plays, telling a story to viewers.<br />Visitors can also pound rice cake, which is an essential ingredient of "Tteoguk," a rice cake soup eaten at this time of year.<br /><br /> The Seollal holiday is packed with colorful events... that will make the visitor's experience all the more unforgettable.<br /><br />Choi Si-young, Arirang News. <br />
