On Tuesday, I had the unique experience of participating in my first (and probably last) Pepero Day. For years, people in America have been mocking Halloween and Valentine's Day as Hallmark Holidays, or holidays invented by the candy companies. I have enough capitalist sense to know that the candy companies do help perpetuate these holidays, but I also have enough historical knowledge to know that these celebrations are based on years of tradition rather than just an excuse to succumb to one's sweet tooth.
In Korea, things are a bit different though. Every year, on November 11th, while Veterans in America attend memorial services, Koreans eat candy, more specifically, they eat Pepero. Pepero are thin breadstick like things coated in chocolate. They're a tasty treat, but I'm not certain they deserve their own holiday. Nonetheless, 11-11 is unofficially
Pepero Day here in Korea (because the date so closely resembles the phallic cookies). Couples and friends exchange the ridiculousness as symbols of their affection. There is a rumor that Lotte helped market the candy after sales dropped off each year in November, but that's unconfirmed. What is official, is that the holiday
was invented by a candy company, and that a few days, and a stomach ache later, I'm still marveling at the good marketing. It really is enough to make me sick.
