Text: Baek-il (백일) or “100 Days” is a traditional celebration in South Korea. It marks the 100th day after a baby’s birth, traditionally celebrated to honor the child’s survival through a once-vulnerable time. Once celebrating a day of survival, it’s slowly transitioned into a day that is more jolly and focuses on a child’s future.

Context: “In Korean culture, there’s a special celebration when a baby turns 100 days old. My cousin had a party for her baby’s baek-il and I actually got to experience one that wasn’t mine. There was a big spread of food, rice cakes, and the close family wore traditional hanbok. It was partly a family celebration, but also had this deep respect for the baby surviving the most fragile part of infancy, so many close friends were invited to come. During this ceremony, another mini-event is held called Doljaebi where a number (usually 6-8) of career symbolic items are placed in front of the baby (i.e. gavel for judge, stethoscope for doctor, money for a rich life) and the baby is encouraged by the crowd to choose an object for their future career.

Analysis: Baek-il is a significant Korean ritual marking a child’s 100th day of life, historically rooted in a time when infant mortality was high. Reaching this milestone was cause for gratitude and hope. The ritual blends celebration with protection, often involving food offerings and prayers. Even in modern times, it represents continuity with tradition, anchoring new life within family and cultural heritage. It has now transitioned to more of a ritual that celebrates what a child will become in the future now that they are “full of new life” through the doljaebi. It’s tone has moved from a more tense one to a more joyous and public ritual.