Black Day in South Korea Date in the current year: April 14, 2024

In South Korea, there are two holidays when people give gifts (typically chocolate) to the opposite gender. On Valentine's Day (February 14) females buy gifts for males, and on White Day (March 14) males reciprocate. Black Day is the holiday for those who did not receive anything on either of the holidays.

On this day, singles usually put on black clothes, gather together and eat jajangmyeon, a noodle dish topped with black soybean paste, diced pork and vegetables. This dish was chosen to symbolize the holiday due to the black color of the sauce.

Businesses use Black Day as an opportunity to advertise their products by holding various events. Such events include speed dating and other matchmaking activities, jajangmyeon-eating contests, and sales.

South Korea is not the only country that has a holiday specifically for singles. In China, Singles Day is celebrated on November 11. The date 11/11 was chosen for the connection between number 1 and singles.