There’s A Day For You, Too!

If you’re the type that hates Valentine’s Day, Asia may not be the place for you between February and April.

In the Western world, all romantic thoughts and purchases revolve around February 14th. You all know the drill: flowers, chocolate, dinner, stuff like that. About forty years ago, in Japan, confectionaries decided to evolve the holiday even further. White Day was developed, as a “response day”. Essentially, on February 14th, girls give guys chocolate to show their affections. Then, a month later, on March 14th, it’s White Day, where the guys can return the favour to the girls.

With that, Japan was quite pleased, because they made two holidays to make money instead of just one. But South Korea couldn’t rest there.

April 14th was Black Day. A day to celebrate being single. If you can call it a celebration.

I honestly didn’t remember it was Black Day until some of my friends mentioned needing to eat jajangmyun, which are noodles covered in a black soy bean paste. Otherwise known as one of the foulest foods to disgrace the good name of pasta. Eating jajangmyun is apparently done to celebrate being single, but as most of my friends agree, having to eat those noodles sounds more like a punishment than a celebration. Singles wear black, meet up with other singles, and either complain or rejoice in the joys or pains of being single.

…Perhaps it’s just me in my naïve mid-20s, but eating nasty, disgusting noodles and dressing like I’m going to a funeral is NOT conductive to me feeling good about being single. “Here lies Rebecca, essentially dead for she does not know love. Let us mourn her forever alone-ness. Pass the noodles.”

Just a suggestion, South Korea: If you want Black Day, at least let us have something nice to eat. 80% cocoa dark chocolate is just as black, and about ten million times more delicious.

Or, I could just skip Black Day altogether, because I think even an imaginary boyfriend would be better than suffering the wrath of jajangmyun.