{
  "id": 19078191,
  "title": "How to celebrate Pepero Day, Korea's sweetest tradition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/how-to-celebrate-pepero-day-koreas-sweetest-tradition-19078191",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T03:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20261109/how-to-celebrate-pepero-day-koreas-sweetest-tradition"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When November 11th arrives in South Korea, be prepared for store shelves to be inundated with rows of thin, chocolate-coated biscuit sticks. Welcome to Pepero Day, a vibrant and lively informal holiday that has become an integral part of Korean culture. Originating from Lotte Wellfood in 1983, Pepero has transcended its humble beginnings to become a widely recognized term for these long, thin biscuit sticks throughout the nation.\n\nThe origins of Pepero Day are believed to have emerged in the 1990s when students in Yeongnam began exchanging these biscuit sticks as a symbol of their hopes for growth and slimness, saying \"May we both grow tall and slender!\" Over time, this simple tradition has blossomed into a nationwide celebration of friendship, romance, and affection.\n\nToday, exchanging Pepero sticks has become the ultimate gesture of showing someone you care. Whether you seek a budget-friendly option or a luxurious gift, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the various aspects of Pepero Day. Participating in this beloved November tradition does not necessitate a hefty budget. Leading up to November 11th, Korea's major convenience store chains, including CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24, will be stocking their shelves with Pepero Day essentials.",
  "summary": "If you happen to be in Korea on Nov. 11, you might notice store shelves overflowing with boxes of thin, chocolate-coated biscuit sticks. Welcome to Pepero Day, one of Korea’s most vibrant and fun informal holidays. First launched by Lotte Wellfood in 1983, Pepero has grown from a simple brand name into a household term representing all long, thin biscuit sticks here. Legend has it that the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}