Feasts, food and drinkEast Asia
Black Day
In its own language: Black Day (Korean: 블랙데이)
A South Korean day for singles to gather and eat black bean noodles after missing Valentine's and White Day gifts.
Black Day is an unofficial holiday in South Korea observed on April 14 by single people. It follows Valentine's Day and White Day, serving as a gathering point for those who received no romantic gifts during the previous months. Participants wear black and share jajangmyeon to commiserate over their relationship status.
When is Black Day in 2027?
Black Day 2027 is on Wednesday, 14 April 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, Tuesday, 14 April 2026; 2028, Friday, 14 April 2028.
Black Day marks April 14 in South Korea as a time for single people to acknowledge their status. It emerges after the gift-giving cycles of February and March leave some without presents. The day offers a space to gather with friends, wear dark clothing, and eat specific foods while discussing the lack of romantic attention.
Origins and context
South Korea celebrates multiple holidays on the fourteenth of each month focused on romance. Valentine's Day falls in February when women give chocolate to men. White Day occurs in March when men return the favor. Black Day appeared later to address those who missed out on these exchanges. Marketers and cultural trends drove its creation, filling the gap for singles who felt excluded from the seasonal affection.
How it is kept
Singles who did not receive gifts on both preceding days meet on April 14. They often dress in black clothes to symbolize their mood. The group gathers to eat jajangmyeon, a noodle dish coated in black bean sauce. During the meal, they talk about their single status and the absence of romantic tokens. Friends join them to offer support or share in the communal experience of being unattached.
Commercial impact
Businesses recognize the day as an opportunity for sales through 'day marketing'. Restaurants expect increased revenue from customers seeking comfort food. Companies promote discounts on various goods to attract single shoppers. Events like speed dating or eating contests are organized to draw crowds. The day transforms personal commiseration into a commercial occasion for local enterprises.
How Black Day is kept
Singles who missed gifts on Valentine's and White Day gather on April 14. They wear black and eat jajangmyeon together. Friends join them to discuss their single status and share the meal. The event serves as a social outlet for those not in romantic relationships.
When and where
It occurs annually on April 14, following the February and March love holidays. The date is fixed and does not change based on the lunar calendar or seasons.
The custom is primarily observed in South Korea. It is a national phenomenon among single residents, though similar concepts exist elsewhere.
What Black Day means
Wearing black represents the somber mood of being single. Eating black-colored food like jajangmyeon reinforces this theme. The gathering allows singles to validate their feelings and find solidarity with others in similar situations.
Who takes part
- Singles: Gather to eat and discuss their relationship status
- Friends: Join the gathering to provide company and support
- Restaurants: Serve jajangmyeon and offer discounts to attract customers
If you are a guest
Guests at a Black Day gathering typically wear black clothing. They join the main participant to eat jajangmyeon and listen to stories about single life. The atmosphere is supportive rather than celebratory of romance.
Then and now
The day remains popular in South Korea as a commercial and social event. Businesses continue to use it for promotions. Some view it as a chance to embrace singlehood without societal pressure.
On the wedding table
- Jajangmyeon: Noodles with black bean sauce eaten by singles to match the day's color theme
Black Day dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Black Day date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 14 April 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, 14 April 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
Questions people ask about Black Day
When is Black Day in 2027?
Black Day 2027 is on Wednesday, 14 April 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, Tuesday, 14 April 2026; 2028, Friday, 14 April 2028.
What is Black Day?
Black Day is an unofficial South Korean holiday on April 14 for singles. It follows Valentine's and White Day, allowing those who received no gifts to gather and eat black bean noodles.
Who celebrates Black Day?
It is celebrated by single people in South Korea who did not receive romantic gifts on February 14 or March 14. Friends may also join them for the meal.
What do people eat on Black Day?
The most common food is jajangmyeon, a noodle dish with black bean sauce. Its dark color aligns with the day's theme of mourning single status.
See also
KransekakeA towering almond ring cake central to Scandinavian wedding and holiday traditions.
KenduriA communal feast and prayer gathering held by Javanese and Malay communities to mark life events.WanvunA Kashmiri choral singing style performed before weddings and religious rites
Marriage in KoreaA look at how Korean weddings blend ancient Confucian rites with modern legal practices.Good reading and sources
- Korea’s Black Day: When Sad, Single People Get Together And Eat Black FoodSmithsonian Magazine, Article
- Korea’s Black Day: When Sad, Single People Get Together And Eat Black FoodSmithsonian Magazine, Article
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Black Day (South Korea)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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