Summer in Korea is always an adventure. It is hot and humid and you’re always left wondering how quickly and harshly the heat wave grips the nation. Ever heard of “Boknal” (복날) or “Sambok” (삼복)? This Korean term marks the three hottest days of summer based on the traditional calendar.
What is Boknal?
Boknal or Dog Days, also known as Sambok, is just a way of marking the three hottest days of summer in South Korea. It has deep ties to the country’s history and is steeped in tradition. Three hottest days in summer – Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok – play an important role in South Korea’s summer.
Chobok (초복)
It is the first Boknal day which brings with it the hot summer season. At this time, people shift to traditional ways of cooking and using special foods to deal with the rising temperatures.
Its traditions date back to ancient farming practices when it was difficult for farmers to work in the extreme heats. It was believed that eating specific foods on Chobok will help in restoring energy and maintain good health throughout the summer season.
Samgyetang (삼계탕), a chicken soup infused with ginseng, is one such dish that is common. This dish has nourishing characteristics and can fight heat exhaustion. Another favorite dish for this day is mul-naengmyeon, a chilled buckwheat noodle soup. Both these dishes offer a cooling respite from the summer heat.
Explore Boknals: Korea’s Hottest Days of Summer!
— VisitKorea (@KoreanTravel) July 15, 2024
Boknals, also known as Sambok, mark the three hottest days in Korea: Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok.
On these special days, people indulge in a variety of nutritious foods to boost their stamina and maintain good health.
Who do you… pic.twitter.com/q6hKbff9qJ
Jungbok (중복)
The second Boknal day is where the traditions have changed significantly over the years. It is about keeping oneself cool and healthy in the increasing summer heat. People observe certain ceremonies and follow custom to celebrate this day.
Typically, it falls at the end, marking the peak of summer. While Jungbok shares some cooling foods with Chobok, like hoe (raw fish) and yeolmu naengmyeon (cold noodle soup), it ups the ante with unique practices. Traditional methods like using a “suyu,” a damp cloth placed on the body, take center stage during Jungbok. It just emphasizes Jungbok’s focus on active cooling rituals alongside specific foods.
Malbok (말복)
It wraps up the Boknal days, highlighting the need to bear the summer at its hottest. Again, to cope with the heat, people perform certain rituals. Dishes that help combat heat are also popular at this time.
Typically observed in early to mid-August, Malbok marks the official end of summer’s scorching days and the Boknal period.
It’s a day of celebration, a toast to everyone’s collective strength and unity in facing the summer’s challenges. Koreans come together to express gratitude, savoring unique foods like spicy dishes and participating in the “bokbulbok” tradition.
When is Boknal in 2024?
Chobok (초복): The start of the Boknal season lands on July 15, 2024.
Jungbok (중복): The middle day of Boknal, will be on July 25, 2024.
Malbok (말복): Finally, the last day of Boknal, is scheduled for August 14, 2024.
An Important Boknal Tradition – Iyeolchigyeol (이열치열)
Iyeolchigyeol (이열치열) is very important in Korean culture. It translates to ‘fighting fire with fire.’ What it means is the idea that you eat hot and spicy food to deal with the heat of the summer. It may seem odd to most tourists and foreigners, the concept is that eating spicy food will elevate your body’s temperature. It will result in you sweating, and eventually cooling you down enough through the body’s natural mechanisms.
Spicy foods like chili peppers, ginger, and garlic, along with other spices, are believed to possess a warming “heat” that counterbalances the environmental heat. People commonly enjoy spicy stews, kimchi, and other fiery meals during Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok, reflecting the belief in Iyeolchigyeol.
This tradition highlights the Korean understanding of the body’s connection to its natural environment. Iyeolchigyeol isn’t just a practical way to combat summer heat; it’s a testament to the harmonious balance between cultural customs and the elements.
Modernization’s Impact on Boknal: A Balancing Act
While Korea embraces modernization and global influences, Boknal traditions are adapting. City life has caused some practices to fade, but the core values and spirit of Boknal endure. However, Boknal isn’t without its challenges.
The consumption of dog meat during Jungbok, a practice rooted in the past, faces criticism. In January, the National Assembly passed a special bill with rare political unity that prohibits the breeding, butchering, distributing, and selling of dogs for meat in response to growing animal rights awareness in the country.
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