'autumn evening'), also known as Hangawi (한가위; [han.ɡa.ɥi]; from Old Korean, "the great middle [of autumn]"), is a major mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunisolar calendar on the full moon.

There are two major traditions related to Chuseok: Charye (차례; 茶禮, ancestor memorial services at home, also known as Jesa), and Seongmyo (성묘; 省墓, family visit to the ancestral graves), which is usually accompanied by Beolcho (벌초; 伐草, tidying graves, removing weeds around them).

Gabae started during the reign of the third king of the kingdom of Silla (57 BC – AD 935), when it was a month-long weaving contest between two teams.

[citation needed] In contemporary South Korea, on Chuseok, masses of people travel from large cities to their hometowns to pay respect to the spirits of their ancestors.

Chuseok is commonly incorrectly translated as "Korean Thanksgiving" in American English despite the holidays being vastly different in origin and celebration.

[8][9] Although most South Koreans visit their families and ancestral homes, there are festivities held at the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Many places are closed during this national holiday, including banks, schools, post offices, governmental departments, and stores.

Airline tickets to South Korea around the festival are usually sold out three months in advance and roads and hotels are overcrowded.

[10] Charye is one of the ancestral memorial rites celebrated during Chuseok, symbolizing the abundance of the harvest season and honoring ancestors and past generations.

[11] The rite involves the gathering of families in holding a memorial service for their ancestors through the harvesting, preparation and presentation of special foods as offerings.

The rite embodies the traditional view of spiritual life beyond physical death, respecting the spirits of the afterlife that now also serve to protect their descendants.

The basic structure of the hanbok consists of the jeogori jacket, baji pants, chima skirt, and the po coat.

[15] One of the major foods prepared and eaten during the Chuseok holiday is songpyeon (송편; 松餠), a Korean traditional rice cake[7] made with ingredients such as sesame seeds, black beans, mung beans, cinnamon, pine nut, walnut, chestnut, jujube, and honey.

[17] Therefore, during Chuseok, families gather together and eat half-moon-shaped Songpyeon under the full moon, wishing for a brighter future.

Because of its decoration and nutrition, Koreans eat hang not only during Chuseok, but also for special events, for instance, weddings, birthday parties, and marriages.

[22][23] Kooksoondang, a maker of Korean traditional liquors, restored "Yihwaju", rice wine from the Goryeo era (918–1392), and "Songjeolju" that has been widely enjoyed by Joseon (1392–1910) aristocrats.

[citation needed] Other foods commonly prepared are japchae, bulgogi, an assortment of Korean pancakes also known as jeon, saengseon (fish), and fruits.

The Korean people started sharing daily necessities, such as sugar, soap or condiments, as Chuseok gifts in the 1960s.

In the 1970s, Korean people had more options for Chuseok gifts; examples include cooking oil, toothpaste, instant coffee sets, cosmetics, television and rice cookers.

However, the most exorbitantly priced gift is six bottles of wine at Lotte Department Store for a staggering (33 million won) US$28,301.89.

Ssireum (씨름) is the most popular Korean sport played during Chuseok and contests are usually held during this holiday.

[30] Tournaments between players from different villages were carried out, starting with the children ("Aegi Taekkyon") before finishing with the adults.

[36] In addition, the extremely poor infrastructure of North Korea, especially in terms of public transportation, makes it almost impossible for people to visit grave sites and their families.