| There are lots of special days in Korea. The first kinds are days marked remarkably on the calendar given special meanings by laws, such as historic days from viewpoints of development in the country as a whole, or in certain areas, or specific days to recognize or revere the memory of some distinguished people who had made a significant contribution to the country. Therefore, theses days are permeated with public purposes, in other words, publicity, which is teaching public lessons to the organizations and their members to emulate those who had made something. On the other hand, there is another set of special days which has no legal grounds, thus, it cannot be tractable to their origins, and were not marked on the calendar, but many people consider them special; Diary day on January 14th, Photo Frame Day on February 2nd, Valentine Day on February 14th, Samgyeopsal Day on March 3rd, St. Patrick¡¯s Day on March 17th, Black Day on April 14th, Cucumber Day on May 2nd, Rose Day on May 14th, Fan Day on May 31st, Beef Jerky Day on June 4th, Ring Day on June 6th, Kiss Day on June 14th, Taffy Day on July 7th, Silver Day on July 14th, Necklace Day on August 8th, Music Day on August 14th, Cap Day on September 14th, Angel Day on October 4th, Sunnyten Day on October 10th, Handkerchief Day on October 17th, Phone Calling Day on October 22nd, Apple Day on October 24th, Halloween on October 31st, Gum Day on November 1st, Pepero Day on November 11st, Movie Day on November 14th, Muffler Day on December 8th, and Money Day on December 14th. There are some common characteristics in these days. First of all, these days are mostly created and consumed by younger generations. Secondly, there are more than one day each month, reflecting not much happy reality younger generation has behind their ostensible intention of having more than one happy and joyful day. Third, all of these days focus mainly on their romantic relationship, between boyfriends and girlfriends, implying their desperation in which they have to check out if their relationships are still strongly concrete. Fourth, even though one side looks to present something to other unilaterally on an individual day, on average of all special days in 12 months each party exchanges almost same amounts of something to each other, not demanding a unilateral devotion or sacrifice for other. Fifth, production and consumption on the special days are done by more than two people, implying their sense of uneasiness feeling lonely without anyone beside them. Sixth, season¡¯s distinctive features are the basic subject matters to be designated as these special days. Seventh, commercial purposes laid beneath these days are not paid any attention. Eighth, creative ideas and humors are contained in these special days. Lastly, the main agents of these special days originally made and consumed by younger generation have been extended gradually to the older generation. On Valentine¡¯s Day, White Day, Halloween, Pepero Day and etc, the older generation has been copying the practices designated by the days, for their children as well as for themselves. If the special days legislated by laws or provisions can be called the days when people are supposed to take time in recognizing the specific areas or some people based on the public purposes and passing the days solemnly, the days for the younger generation are only limited to the personal basis, which is pursuing love and fun among their personal relationships, along with humor rather than solemnity being laid in the process of their legislation and implementation. However, despite of the difference mentioned above, there are two common things in these two different kinds of special days. The first common thing is a certain cause, from which the special day starts being considered to be legislated, imbuing the days with special meaning why the days are one of other ordinary days. The other common thing is recognition of something. Special days legislated by laws have people or historic events to be recognized by the nation, and on the other hand, the special days for the younger generation contains recognition of their girlfriend or boyfriend. Even though there are different purposes; one thing for public purpose and the other thing for personal one, both kinds of special days are based on recognition of something by someone. The suggestion that special days for family members should be enacted originates from these two common things; recognition and cause. We have to take a chance to make recognition of role of husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter, and to make special days for them with the cause to recognize them. Now, we can designate one day as a special day only for my father, mother, son or daughter, respectively. The date can be chosen considering when the family member looks to going through the toughest time or when the family member needs family support. As a case in point, the father¡¯s day can be on a day right after periodical promotion, the mother¡¯s day can be on a day right after the important memorial service or big holidays, the son¡¯s of daughter¡¯s day can be on the day just before the important examination. On the father¡¯s day when our father looks depressed resulting from getting passed over for promotion, other family members get together to prepare for the event of the father¡¯s day. First of all, banner would be made with some encouraging remarks printed on it, saying ¡®You are the household god- Our Father¡¯s Day¡¯, ¡®Please cheer up, father. We are here to support you.¡®Today is the day of our father, a critical pillar of our family.¡¯ The banner like this should be hung in eyeshot of the father from early in the morning. All family members are supposed to wake up ahead of the father and wait for him to get up in the living room. When he gets up, others should give him a clap, set off small firecrackers and hail him with acclamation. Great breakfast fixed with his favorite foods should be served to him and his outfits should be ironed well. After he went to work, other family members should have a small flowerpot hanging a ribbon with encouraging remarks printed on it along with thank-you card written by family members delivered to my father. When he comes back home from work, a small party should be thrown for him. The highlight of the party is reading the letters written by other family members, whose contents are mainly on saying ¡®thank you father¡¯ for his effort and on their commitment to their own roles as a family member. In the end of the party, everybody is supposed to inspire each other to do their best. The special day for other family members is similar to what mentioned so far, so to speak, all family members should get together to come up with good ideas in order to recognize the roles and efforts the family member has done and express their gratitude to him/her taking advantage of the days. In spite of so many special days for my boyfriend or girlfriend, it¡¯s obviously true that there is not a special day for family members whom we have to recognize in preference to anybody. More often than not, we don¡¯t really know how important our family is, taking them for granted, because they have always stood and will stand by us. Now we have to allot at least one day for one family member a year to recognize his/her existence in my family, and through this opportunity, we can confirm our solid love among family members. That¡¯s the special day for a family member. |