What is Korean etiquette for gifts?

Question

I'm travelling to Seoul to visit a Korean girl I've fallen in love with. I've never been to Korea and have limited knowledge of Korean culture, but as I understand, gifts are a big thing. What would be appropriate gifts to bring her family? Also, I know I will be there for Chuseok, visiting her parents and family. Does this tradition have a specific gift etiquette as well? I know I could ask my girlfriend for help, but it would be a nice surprise to show up a bit researched and prepared.

Answer 1

no no no~~ don't worry. there's no "wrong" gift and it depends on her family's tastes. umm.. when you visit any korean family (even if its your own family -_-), most people bring a box of a fruit that is in season. go to a supermarket and buy a box. or if they seem more refined, bring them a bottle of wine. don't bring soju lol =)

it's not a BIG thing as in pressure-to-bring-perfect-gift, its more pressure-to-bring-A-gift

Answer 2

aww that's cute. a great gift for korean families is probably to bring fresh delicious well-picked produce haha. today my mom went to an all natural farm and picked out a bunch of cucumbers, and she was so excited about how fresh they were that she bought some for my korean friend's family too lol. since koreans like cooking with lots of vegetables and other healthy things i would say it's a pretty nice and thoughtful gift. try cucumbers (we make kimchi out of it), fish, and OOOH what would be an AMAZING gift is if you managed to get some REAL dwen jang! it's this brown paste made out of beans that we use in dwen jang go.o.k [ that word is a swear?]  (which EVERY korean family eats :P) most korean families buy their dwen jang from the stores, so it's all packaged. but if you somehow manage to go to a farm and get some REAL dwen jang (it would look and smell like maneur, but that's good it means its good!) it would be amazing. my mom has worked with real dwen jang once before and it was so tastey :P

the most important part is that you must pick the foods properly. if you get something that's a bit old or unripe, it totally ruins the gift.

for chuseok, i'm sorry i can't give more advice but you could get them some 떡 (dduk)

http://pds2.egloos.com/pds/1/200604/03/2...

you've heard and tasted these before i'm sure.

but this isn't like a totally unique gift or anything. it's the traditional food and i'm pretty sure the family would have already had some at their house.

best of luck!