Can you imagine a simple snack taking over a whole country for a day?
Every year on November 11 – South Korea turns into a place buzzing with chocolate and laughter. On this day, people gift these chocolate covered sticks called Pepero. And suddenly the whole country feels a little warmer and friendlier.
It’s not an official holiday or anything, but you’d never guess it from the amount of Pepero flying around. Couples swap boxes to show they care, friends share them just for fun, and even classmates get in on it.
But how did all this start?
In this article, we will explore the story behind South Korea’s favorite chocolatey tradition – Pepero Day.
Pepero Day
If you’ve ever had Pocky, you’re halfway there—Pepero is Korea’s answer to that beloved Japanese snack. It’s basically a long skinny cookie stick which looks similar to alphabet I or number 1.
Pepero day is celebrated on November 11th, a date that contains number 1s. The skinny shape of the pepero sticks resembles the number one in the date.
It had its origin that dates back to the 1990s. In the story, some female middle school students in the southern city of Busan gave each other pepero on November 11th in hopes of becoming tall and skinny, just like a pepero stick.
Later, students would also present a pepero snack as a congratulatory gift to friends who had successfully lost weight.
The company that makes Pepero heard about this trend and started to use November 11 as a marketing strategy to promote pepero day.
This strategy was a huge commercial success. Upto 30% of Pepero sales occurred within a week of Pepero Day. Convenience stores also reported their highest sales each year on pepero day.
How People Celebrate Pepero Day
Pepero Day started out as a small thing between friends. But now it’s huge—practically everyone in Korea gets in on it.
On November 11, you’ll spot people swapping Pepero sticks everywhere. Friends, couples, coworkers, even teachers and students.
On this day, not only pepero but also other items related to pepero are given as gifts. Some give pepero shaped cushions, and some glue pepero snack boxes together to make the shape of a heart and give that as a gift to their loved ones.
If you walk into a convenience store or supermarket around Pepero Day, you will see shelves practically overflowing with pepero boxes in every flavor you can imagine.
There is classic chocolate, almond, strawberry, and a bunch of limited edition flavors that only come out for the holiday. Big brands go all out with special packaging. So the displays look like a candy rainbow.
It’s not all about buying snacks. Schools and offices sometimes organize pepero games or little parties.
You will see social media filled with pepero pics, hashtags, and fancy gift ideas. Some people even put together homemade pepero bouquets or craft fancy gift boxes, so the whole thing feels personal.
Celebrate Pepero Day Wherever You Are
You don’t have to be in Korea to join the fun—Pepero Day is easy to celebrate anywhere. Here’s how you can get in on it:
Make or Buy Pepero
No Pepero in your local store? No worries.
Get some biscuit sticks. Dip them in melted chocolate and cover them in nuts, sprinkles or cookie crumbs.
Share Some Pepero
You can give a box of your homemade pepero sticks – to your friends, classmates, or anyone you care about. Tell them why you’re doing it.
Throw a Pepero Party
You can celebrate by having a pepero making party with your friends. All you need is some chocolate and toppings, blast some K-pop, and see who can make the wildest Pepero stick. It’s a great excuse to hang out and snack.
Conclusion
Pepero Day has become meaningful day for South Koreans. It allows them to show their affection simply, without being stressed about big gifts or grand gestures. A day all about sharing a bit of sweetness with people who matter. It has become their simple, sweet way of saying – I appreciate you.
Written by – Aparna Sharma
About the Author –
Aparna has a deep curiosity for languages and global cultures. She enjoys diving into stories that offer fresh perspectives and meaningful connections. For her, writing is a way to process ideas and connect with others who share similar interests.