Excessive questions from relatives top list of Chuseok irritations

According to a recent survey conducted ahead of the Chuseok holiday, excessive personal questions and interference from relatives have been identified as the most unwanted aspects of the celebration. A 2026 Chuseok holiday survey by research firm PMI found that 48.5 percent of 1,000 adults aged 20 to 69 nationwide expressed a desire to see this tradition change. The survey was conducted from September 11 to 14.

Other practices that respondents cited as irritating included excessive preparation for ancestral ritual tables (40.8 percent), unequal distribution of holiday chores (29.8 percent), holiday cash gifts (25.5 percent) and excessive holiday gift giving (23.7 percent). Intrusive questioning from relatives also topped the list of customs that respondents felt needed to be altered, with 30.6 percent of respondents citing it as the most urgently needed change.

When asked about topics they would prefer to avoid discussing with family and relatives during Chuseok, comparisons with siblings and others were cited as the most uncomfortable subject. The survey highlights the challenges and tensions that can arise during this important holiday, as people from all walks of life navigate their relationships with extended family members.