As the Lunar New Year approaches in South Korea, the air is filled with anticipation, tradition, and, increasingly, financial calculation. Recent surveys and market data paint a vivid picture of how the holiday is evolving—not just as a time for family gatherings and cultural rituals, but as a season marked by rising monetary expectations and a surge in overseas stock trading.
According to a February 16, 2026 report by Newsis, a survey by KakaoPay’s financial brand ‘PayAttention’ found that the single greatest financial burden for Korean adults during the Lunar New Year is the expense of giving ‘sebaetdon,’ or New Year’s money. This tradition, where elders gift cash to children and younger relatives, has always been a hallmark of the holiday. But in recent years, the sums involved have been climbing steadily—sometimes to the chagrin of those expected to give.
Analysis of KakaoPay’s digital ‘money envelope’ data reveals a clear trend: the amount of sebaetdon distributed each year is on the rise. In 2025, the most common sum received by middle and high school students was 100,000 won (about $75), overtaking the previously dominant 50,000 won amount for the first time. Until 2024, 50,000 won was the most popular gift (chosen by 39% of givers versus 37% for 100,000 won), but last year, 100,000 won took the lead with 42% of recipients, while 50,000 won dropped to 37%.
Behind these shifting numbers is a generational tug-of-war over what counts as an ‘appropriate’ gift. In a January 2026 poll of more than 78,000 people, 65% overall said 50,000 won was the right amount for sebaetdon. But when broken down by age, the gap widened: 70% of adults in their 40s to 60s (the main givers) favored 50,000 won, while 60% of teenagers (the main recipients) said 100,000 won was the proper sum. That’s a pretty stark difference—one that’s likely the subject of many a family debate around the dinner table.
The tradition isn’t limited to children, either. Adults in their 20s to 40s also reported giving an average of 227,000 won (about $170) as holiday money to their parents. The older the giver, the higher the sum: those in their 20s gave an average of 190,000 won, while those in their 40s gave 230,000 won. It’s a sign that filial piety—and the wallet—both get a workout come New Year.
What’s fueling this upward trend? One major factor is the normalization of mobile money transfers. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of KakaoPay Lunar New Year money envelope transactions more than quadrupled, while the total amount sent increased 5.3 times. The ease of sending cash digitally has made it simpler—and perhaps more tempting—to be generous, or at least to keep up with the Joneses.
KakaoPay is leaning into the moment with a bit of levity, offering a ‘Survive Lunar New Year’ promotion until February 18, 2026. Participants can earn instant points by answering quiz questions, and those who collect six stamps are entered into a draw for up to 1 million points. It’s a playful nod to the real pressure many feel to navigate the season’s financial demands.
But the story of Lunar New Year finances doesn’t end with family envelopes. Increasingly, Korean investors are marking the holiday by turning to global stock markets. On February 13, 2026, 대한금융신문 reported that data from the Korea Securities Depository showed overseas stock trading during the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday reached record highs for the past five years. During the holiday, there were 220,811 overseas stock settlement transactions, totaling a staggering $12.44 billion—an increase of 137.8% in transaction count and 325.5% in settlement amount compared to the same period in 2024.
The lion’s share of this activity was concentrated in the U.S. market, which accounted for 96.3% of transactions (212,603) and 95.4% of the total settlement amount ($11.87 billion). U.S. market transactions jumped 2.3 times in count and 4.3 times in value from the previous year, driven by strong performance in American stocks and continued interest in tech giants like Nvidia and Tesla. The data also shows that the average size of each trade has grown, suggesting a shift from small, diversified bets to larger, more focused investments.
Other markets saw notable increases as well. Japan’s transaction count rose 3.7 times and the Euro market’s settlement amount soared by 5.1 times. Even markets that had previously seen minimal activity, such as Hong Kong and China, posted meaningful numbers: in 2025, the Hong Kong market saw 532 transactions worth $14.06 million, while China registered 151 transactions totaling around $400,000. For context, over the previous four years combined, China and Hong Kong together saw just two transactions worth $380,000.
What’s behind this explosion in overseas trading? Part of the answer lies in the global stock rally of 2025, which drew investors back after a dip in 2023 attributed to global interest rate hikes. The appetite for overseas stocks has become increasingly mainstream among Korean investors—a trend that’s only accelerated during holiday periods. Securities firms have responded by keeping their overseas market desks open throughout Lunar New Year and Chuseok, ensuring clients can trade even while the domestic market is closed.
Looking at the numbers over the past five years, the growth is unmistakable. In 2021, there were just 91,359 overseas settlement transactions during the holiday; by 2025, that figure had ballooned to 220,811—an increase of 2.4 times. The 2025 settlement amount of $12.44 billion nearly matches the combined total for the previous four years ($14.87 billion). The only dip came in 2023, when higher interest rates dampened investor enthusiasm, but the rebound has been swift and dramatic.
It’s clear that Lunar New Year in South Korea is becoming as much about digital transfers and investment portfolios as it is about traditional rituals and family gatherings. The generational debate over sebaetdon, the rise of mobile money, and the boom in overseas stock trading all point to a society where financial savvy is part of the holiday spirit. For better or worse, the red envelope has gone global—and it’s carrying more than just good wishes.