KOREA FOUNDATION

Hello, readers! Welcome to my new column, Jeju Playbook. Every other month, find me here to chat and learn about the “real” culture of Jeju Island. As many of you know, the KF’s head office moved to Seogwipo City on Jeju Island in July of 2018. I’m excited to share and explore the culture of our new home together with you.

Today’s topic: Weddings! What are weddings like on Jeju Island?

[Question 1]
Suppose a friend of mine from Jeju is getting married in a ceremony in his hometown. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Jeju, but the only available flight to Jeju leaves Seoul at 1 p.m. Should I buy the plane ticket even though I’ll be late for the wedding?

[Answer]
Yes, book the ticket! Unlike weddings in other provinces that usually last only a couple of hours, the celebrations that follow a marriage ceremony on Jeju can stretch on nearly all day long. Family clans aren’t very organized or developed on Jeju, and weddings are regarded more as feasts than rituals. In the past, these post-wedding feasts often continued for a whole week, but nowadays, they’ve been simplified into day-long parties. While the extended celebration is great for well-wishing friends and family who can drop by at their convenience, it can be a long day for the bride and groom, who have to welcome guests until almost 6 o’clock in the evening.

If you take a 1 p.m. plane, you might be able to get to the wedding around 3 p.m. Close friends of the bride or groom often stay at the party until the very end. If you used the flight schedule as an excuse to skip the wedding, few Jeju locals would believe you.

[Question 2]
I’ve prepared an envelope of money as a gift for my friend’s wedding. How should I deliver it?

① Put the envelope into the cash box at the wedding.
② Give the envelope directly to my friend’s mother, along with my well-wishes.
③ Give the envelope directly to my friend’s father, along with my well-wishes.
④ Give the envelope to the person carrying a large bag who accompanies the groom all day long.

[Answer]
The correct answer is No.4. At marriage ceremonies on Jeju, a man and woman assist the bride and the groom so that the couple can concentrate on their wedding. These people are called businbu and busillang, meaning “assistant to the bride” and “assistant to the groom.” They welcome guests, accept gifts of money, and take care of general affairs on behalf of the busy couple. For guests who are flying in to Jeju, the bride and groom will usually cover the cost of airfare. One duty of the bride and groom’s assistants is to deliver this money to those guests on the day of the wedding.

If you give a gift of money intended for your friend to their father or mother, they might consider it as a gyeopbujo, or a “double gift.” A “double gift” is money given separately to two people associated with the wedding — for example, to the bride and to the groom, or to the bride and to her mother — by a guest who is friends with both recipients, because each relationship is considered separate. This is one of many unique customs that bear testimony to the independent spirit of Jeju islanders.

As time goes by, even the indigenous local culture of Jeju is gradually changing. While I’ll be discussing typical traditions and customs here, please keep in mind that I can’t speak for every person on the island. Everyone has their own circumstances, thoughts, and attitudes.

Written by the Mr. Tangerine