New Minsang Members Discuss Autumn, Wedding Invitations and Outdoor Dining

New Minsang members gathered to talk about how they experience autumn, from seasonal moods to changing customs around wedding invitation gatherings. Their conversation began outdoors over meat when a fallen leaf landed in a member’s ssamjang, and ranged from the pleasures of autumn evenings to criticism of gatherings that prioritize appearances.

“You’re eating autumn”: A poetic take on the season

When a leaf fell into one member’s ssamjang during an outdoor meal, another replied, “That’s not a leaf falling; you’re eating autumn.” The remark drew a response that it sounded almost like something a poet would say, and opened a broader conversation about how people take in the changing season.

Members described different reactions to autumn. One noted that the approaching year-end and shorter daylight can bring low moods; the conversation also touched on receiving less sunlight from autumn onward and feeling more down in winter. Year-end events such as Christmas and reduced daylight were mentioned as factors in seasonal sadness. Others said they enjoy the season because the weather is good for taking photos. One member said they are affected by the seasons, wind and weather, adding that summer has its own discomfort, including getting sunburned.

Members criticize wedding invitation gatherings driven by form

With wedding announcements common in autumn, the members also spoke candidly about “cheongmo,” gatherings held around wedding invitations. One member objected to pressure to choose particular menus or venues, saying the focus should be on the sincere wish to congratulate the couple.

If the congratulations are heartfelt, the member said, the meal could be pork belly or kalguksu. They criticized gatherings shaped around posting on Instagram or expectations that the host serve a meal costing at least 30,000 won per person, saying such formalities obscure the purpose. Members related to the burden of taking another day off for a cheongmo after giving up a weekend to attend a celebration, and to gatherings becoming events for their own sake. One member said they intended to hold all their cheongmo gatherings at once for efficiency.

Autumn as “the season for adults”: Outdoor tables and seasonal food

The members named outdoor-table dining, or yaja, as one of autumn’s greatest pleasures. They described spring and summer yaja as carrying anticipation and energy, while autumn’s cooler air gives it a calmer, more grown-up feel.

They shared experiences of eating outdoors on benches near Seonyudo Station and in neighborhood parking lots, and spoke of enjoying the cool air after work. Their seasonal-food conversation included large prawns, gizzard shad, blue crab, ripe persimmons, oysters, apples, crab, giant mussels, odeng-eo, abalone, sweet potatoes, Pacific saury, mature pumpkins, Japanese Spanish mackerel, pears, tangerines, hairtail and sea cucumber. Members discussed preferences such as ripe persimmons and steamed blue crab as ways to enjoy autumn’s flavors.

Source: original video (YouTube)