Too Many Special Days

On November 11, many Koreans celebrate Pepero Day, purchasing the popular snack and sharing it with their loved ones.

The reason why they do this is quite simple.

It is that when the long, chocolate-dipped cookie sticks are placed next to each other, they look like the number 11.

It seems that there is a day for all occasions in Korea.

Along with the traditional holidays, each month also brings a few unofficial special days, like Pepero Day or Black Day.

Some Koreans, however, feel pressured by having so many special days and wonder whether people are overdoing it.

These critics say that having so many special days makes each day seem less special.

A special occasion should make people do things that are memorable for everyone involved.

But if special days are taking place almost every other week, people will stop thinking that these events are out of the ordinary.

In addition, the critics say that many of these so-called special days have become too commercialized.

They say these days are mostly being used to encourage people to purchase different products of companies.

Instead of feeling real enjoyment, people become cynical about special days and feel a financial burden whenever they come around.

Other Koreans, however, say there is no need to take these special days so seriously.

They admit that they are just an excuse to give small gifts to each other.

However, they say there is no harm in showing appreciation to friends and family members on a frequent basis.

Furthermore,these supporters say that having many special days can be of great help to businesses.

They are a chance for numerous companies and restaurants to spotlight their goods and services and give a special experience to their customers.

Providing such opportunities to different businesses can help the economy run a bit smoother, they say.

 

• occasion  əˈkeɪʒn (어떤 일이 일어나는 특정한) 때[기회/경우],  (특별한) 행사[의식/축하]   

• dip  dɪp   (액체에) 살짝 담그다[적시다] ,  (아래로) 내려가다[떨어지다], 내려가게 하다[떨어뜨리다] (=fall)

• Along with  ...와 함께...에 따라.  overdo  ˌoʊvərˈduː   (…을) 지나치게 하다, 과장하다   involve  ɪnˈvɑːlv   (상황·사건·활동이 사람을) 관련[연루]시키다

• ordinary  ˈɔːrdneri  보통의, 일상적인  be out of the ordinary  보통과 다르다, 드물다  commercialize  kə|mɜːrʃlaɪz (특히 지나칠 정도로) 상업화하다

• encourage  ɪn|kɜːrɪdʒ  권장[장려]하다  burden ˈbɜːrdn  (운반하기 힘든) 짐 (→beast of burden)  부담 /  부담[짐]을 지우다 (↔unburden)

• come around  돌아오다 , 다시 의식을 차리다[정신이 돌아오다]   numerous |nuːmərəs   많은 (=many)

• there is no need to  …할 필요가 없다  spotlight   스포트라이트를 비추다 / 스포트라이트, 환한 조명