11/11 is 빼빼로 Day in Korea! It's a more recent "holiday" that is just a big deal with students! Basically, it's based off of the 빼빼로 candy that is called "Pockey" in America. (It's those Asian candies that are the long skinny cracker-sticks, dipped in chocolate, etc.) Anyhow, you give your close friends and the person you like/are dating a package of the candy! The kids always really excited about it--even moreso from middle school on!
Anyway, it's fun and maybe you could tie it into a lesson or offer to give a package of the candy to the person who participates the most in class!
So we have Pocky in the
So we have Pocky in the states, but here they actually the korean version and have it spelled out "Paparro" or something like that! You can find it in the candy/snacks isle of any super!
"Pepero Day"
Just about every market in town has a huge display of Pepero boxes neatly stacked in pyramids this week. They actually taste quite good; chocolate-covered sesame sticks with peanut bits.
Speaking of which, there was a news report on Arirang TV earlier today that says that "Pepero Day" is actually supposed to be Agriculture Day, which was instituted by the government in 1996.
hmmm.. interesting.
I'm not sure how accurate the Arirang report is, especially since Arirang is all American based. It's to my understanding, and of most koreans that it was made by the Pepero cracker industry to make lots of profits and have a fun day, but then again, there are other thoughs as well.. anyhow, here's what's written about it on wikipedia!. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepero_Day