Halloween originated from Samhain, a custom festival of ancient Celts. Celts regarded Halloween as the last day of a year, and they appeased dead souls and cast out demons by having a ceremony. People who were afraid of demons decorated themselves strangely like demons to confuse the demons.
  Halloween has spread around the world but in different forms from country to country. Halloween came to Korea in about 2000. Before that, people only knew about Halloween but didn’t enjoy it. Halloween was first spread among English language institutes that middle school or high school students attended. It hasn’t yet become popularized, but it is usually enjoyed  by some younger age groups.
  Mostly, children or young people enjoy Halloween. Children dress up for Halloween, or young adults go to Halloween parties in clubs or drink alcohol in Itaewon or the streets of Hongik University. Stores stock costumes which are targeted at children, and the streets of Itaewon and Hongik University are ready for many people who will come out for Halloween.
  Enterprises prepare for various events to attract many consumers on Halloween. Olive-Young prepared a Halloween party kit. Moreover, Skin Food decorated their stores in a Halloween theme and opened Halloween camping until November 8. CGV presented Halloween packages which were aimed at children. 
  Halloween has made a new market and had a positive effect on the economy. On the other hand, it also had a negative aspect. According to SBS news on October 31, many school parents felt burdened from Halloween events which were opened in kindergartens or private educational institutes because dresses or accessories which are required for Halloween parties were more expensive than other normal items. The range of these prices was from 50,000 won to more than that. However, many parents inevitably accepted the high prices to please their children.
  All cultures have intrinsic features which were made by their nation. Halloween was not made in Korea, so we should accept it suitably with our conditions. Korean culture regards harmony and communication as important because of our agriculturally historical culture. However, it is a problem that cultures that are used for marketing are the only survivors and that other Korean traditional cultures that focus on harmony and communication have vanished.

By Shin So-hyeon
sh36@cbnu.ac.kr