Black Day

What Is Black Day?

Every year on April 14th, South Korea observes "Black Day," an unofficial day for people who received no gifts on Valentine's Day (February 14th) or White Day (March 14th) and are still single. They wear black clothes and eat black-colored food. It isn't an official Japanese holiday or commemorative day, but it's widely known as part of South Korean youth culture.

Origins and Background of Black Day

Black Day grew out of South Korea's broader culture of romance-related observances. It is said to have emerged spontaneously around the early 1990s, and its exact origin is unclear.

• Date: April 14th
• Position: The month following Valentine's Day (February 14th) and White Day (March 14th)
• Who it's for: People for whom neither of those days brought romance — sometimes jokingly called the "solo troops" in Korea

On this day, it's customary to wear black clothing and eat or drink black-looking foods such as black coffee.

The Connection to Jajangmyeon

The food most associated with Black Day is jajangmyeon, a noodle dish topped with a black bean sauce that's a popular everyday meal (and delivery favorite) in South Korea. Eating it on Black Day is a playful link between the color of the food and the name of the day.

South Korea's "14th of Every Month"

Following Valentine's Day and White Day, South Korea has a custom of giving the 14th of each month a romance-related theme.

• February 14th: Valentine's Day
• March 14th: White Day
• April 14th: Black Day
• May 14th: Rose Day (couples exchange roses) and Yellow Day (singles wear yellow and eat curry)
• June 14th: Kiss Day

None of these are legal holidays — they're customs spread through youth culture, the media, and food companies. Some people even complain there are too many of them.

Interesting Facts About Black Day

• A way of saying "I'm available": Taking part in Black Day is like announcing that you're looking for a partner, and it's said that some couples actually get together this way.
• A day to spend with others: Rather than spending the day alone, many people gather with friends in the same situation.
• Spreading to Japan: Events tied to April 14th appear in Japan too; in 2021, Meiji designated April 14th as "Black Chocolate Day," linking it to Black Day by color.

Ideas for Observing Black Day

• Learn about South Korea's calendar of observances and youth culture
• Try jajangmyeon and compare it with Japanese-style jajamen
• Compare romance-related observances from different countries

Black Day as Modern Culture

April 14th's Black Day doesn't commemorate a historical event. It's a modern observance in which singles turn a romance-centered calendar into something to laugh about together — an interesting window into the diverse values of contemporary society.