Seoul, South Korea – As the Lunar New Year holiday extended, so did the stress levels of many South Koreans. A recent survey conducted by Albamon, a popular job search platform, revealed that nearly 40% of respondents felt stressed during this traditional holiday period.

The survey, which polled 1,502 adults, found that women (44.7%) reported higher stress levels compared to men (33.8%). Additionally, individuals in their 30s experienced the most stress, with 48.6% indicating they felt overwhelmed during the holiday.

The source of stress varied across different age groups. For those in their 20s, excessive questions and nagging about jobs and careers were the primary stressor, accounting for 68.5% of responses. Individuals in their 30s, on the other hand, were most stressed about questions and pressure related to dating and marriage, with 49.4% citing it as a major concern. Those aged 40 and above were most burdened by the financial aspects of the holiday, such as gift-giving, New Year’s money, and overall holiday expenses.

Regarding New Year’s money, or sebaetdon, the survey found that while many respondents believed that 50,000 to 100,000 won was an appropriate amount to give, those who received the money were more likely to expect 50,000 won, while those who gave it out tended to give around 100,000 won.

These findings highlight the complex pressures and expectations that accompany the Lunar New Year holiday in South Korea, particularly for younger generations facing questions about their careers and personal lives.