A DIVERSITY OF THANKS : Korean Americans Combine Holidays

In Korea, people observe Chusok-- a thanksgiving and harvest celebration which falls in early autumn--by traveling to the countryside to visit their parents and pay respects to the cemeteries of their ancestors.

“We have big celebrations,” said Tong Joon Lee, a pastor at the San Fernando Valley Korean Presbyterian Church in Granada Hills. “We make all kinds of foods and eat rice and grains.” Chusok, which falls on a different day every year because its date is regulated by the lunar calendar, is one of the biggest holidays in Korea.

But in America, because there is usually no time off to celebrate Chusok , many Korean Americans observe their day of thanks on Thanksgiving.

Lee’s three daughters come home from college to celebrate with the family and about 15 guests who gather at the house for a feast. His wife and three daughters prepare turkey and stuffing, but also offer guests traditional Korean food.

“Some people eat rice, some eat bread with turkey or with Korean barbecue,” Lee said. “It’s a family time. Everybody is talking together about school or studying or work.”

Tong Kim, who owns a dry-cleaning business in Northridge, moved with his wife and two children to Granada Hills from Seoul three years ago. He said his family also has a bigger celebration on Thanksgiving than on Chusok .

“Every American enjoys turkey on Thanksgiving,” Kim said. “I want to teach my son and daughter about this typical American holiday. They must live here and work here, and they must know American culture so they can get along with the American people.

“We try to have turkey,” Kim said. “But unfortunately, my wife is not good at cooking turkey, so we have to buy it from the market.”

The family eats Korean specialties with vegetables and beef and has turkey as a side dish.

Yong Lee of the Korean Senior Citizens Assn. of San Fernando said his family also follows Thanksgiving traditions.

“We eat turkey just like the Americans,” he said. “Many people don’t like turkey, but we make a small one anyway.”