What Is Kimjang? A Korean Family Tradition of Making Kimchi
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
며칠 전 저희 가족은 김장을 했어요.
A few days ago, my family did kimjang.
한국에서는 11월 말 즈음에 1년간 먹을 김치를 만들어요. 그걸 ‘김장’이라고 부릅니다.
In Korea, we make a year’s worth of kimchi around late November. We call that process “kimjang.”
김치 만드는 단계를 아주 간단히 보여드릴게요.
Let me show you the kimchi-making steps very simply.
1) 배추를 소금에 절인 후 물을 뺀다
2) Salt the cabbage and drain out the water
2) 무를 가늘고 길쭉하게 썬다
2) Cut the radish into thin, long strips
3) 양념에 무와 고춧가루를 넣는다
3) Add the radish and red pepper powder to the seasoning
4) 완성된 양념을 배춧잎 사이사이에 넣는다
4) Spread the finished seasoning between each layer of cabbage leaves
김치 만들기 끝!
Kimchi-making, complete!
이렇게 간단히 썼지만, 김장은 사실 굉장히 복잡하고 힘든 일이에요. 재료 준비에서 완성까지 하루 넘게 걸려요.
I wrote it simply, but kimjang is actually very complex and exhausting. From ingredient prep to the finished kimchi, it takes more than a full day.
제가 김치 만들기 단계를 위에서처럼 간단히 쓴 이유는…
The reason I wrote the steps so simply is…
김치 만드는 법을 모르기 때문입니다. 😱 😱 😱
I don’t actually know how to make kimchi.
저는 김장에 참여하지 않는 불효녀입니다. (사진에 제가 없는 거 보셨죠? 😂) 부모님의 김장을 돕지 않으면서 셀카를 찍기가 미안해 배추, 무, 양념 사진만 찍었습니다.
I’m an unfilial daughter who doesn’t participate in kimjang. (You noticed I’m not in the pictures, right?) I felt guilty taking selfies without helping my parents with kimjang, so I only took pictures of the cabbage, radish, and seasoning.
저는 김치를 많이 먹을 자격이 없으므로 앞으로 조금만 먹을 거예요.
Since I don’t deserve to eat much kimchi, I’ll only have a little from now on.
Today's Vocabulary
효: the value of showing respect, care, and gratitude to one’s parents
불효녀: a daughter who doesn’t fulfill her filial duties
효녀: a dutiful daughter who honors and cares for her parents
불효자: a son who doesn’t fulfill his filial duties
효자: a dutiful son who honors and cares for his parents
The value of 효 has existed in Korea for a long time. I've covered it in Volume 1 Chapter 5 of The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree. It was very strict in Joseon-era Korea, as you can see above—but even today, the idea of honoring your parents is still considered an important part of Korean culture.
With my illustrated K-drama novel series The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree, you can learn Korean while also discovering Korean culture and history.
BTW, should I help with kimjang next year… or keep my title as a 불효녀? 😆
(Disclaimer: I was working my butt off that day—but on my actual job, not kimjang.)
Written by Saehee Um
Saehee Um is the creator of ToonToon Korean and the author of illustrated novels for Korean learners. Her books combine binge-worthy storytelling, real-life dialogue, and cultural insights to make learning Korean engaging and fun.
She writes Korean learning novels presented in a K-drama-style script, helping learners improve their Korean through dramatic stories and immersive dialogue.
