The moon holds a special meaning for Koreans.
When I asked people in Western culture about the full moon,
they often spoke of mysterious powers, werewolves, lunacy, or even a face on its surface.
But in Korea, where I grew up, the full moon is different.
In Korean literature, it often symbolizes longing and heartfelt wishes.
Seeing a full moon might bring to mind
the face of a loved one, or the memory of one’s hometown.
This appears not only in books but also in dramas and films,
where the moon often evokes nostalgia, melancholy,
or a moment of quiet reflection. Even in song lyrics,
the moon stirs emotions and imagery.
The moon is not only a source of feeling but also of hope.
In old Korean folk traditions, people would make wishes to the moon,
a wide variety of hopes and desires, from health and success to love and many other personal wishes.
There is a holiday called Chuseok, similar in spirit to Thanksgiving.
Because it follows the lunar calendar,
a full moon always rises in the sky that night.
Families gather beneath it, making wishes together.
This act is called Dalmaji—“welcoming the moon.”
On Chuseok Eve, the weather reporter will often say,
“This Chuseok, the weather will be clear,
making it a perfect night for Dalmaji—welcoming the moon and making wishes.”
Thus, the full moon in Korea represents hope, desire,
and a moment to pause and reflect.
When I lived in the city,
I wasn’t interested in the moon framed between tall buildings.
But in New Mexico, watching the moon rise over the horizon,
I found myself making a wish without even realizing it.
That when this tunnel ends, stability may come.
Even now, I continue to offer my wishes to the moon.