When I got to Korea
I found there was no distinction between Mather's Day and Father's Day. They are one day, "Parent's Day". There is no Father's Day and there is no "Mother's Day".
I grew up remembering Mothers' Day
The day when the tulips were in bloom and the weather was as perfect as June Cleaver. We made breakfast in bed and bunt the toast and spilled the orange juice. We brought in hand crafted flowers from school and cards that said, "I love you."
Fathers' Day
A month later was Father's day when we barbecue red meat. We remember to be quiet and not disturb dad. And most important, "Help your mother!" Father's Day was the day we remembered how much our father got ticked off. It would be best to leave him in the living room with the lights off and NPR playing in the background. This was Father's day.
Mothers are honored in Confucianism
It seems like there used to be a Mather's Day celebrated in Korea during the colonial period and then finally after the war Mother's Day was established on May 8th, 1956. This seems reasonable to me as many came home to their mothers after the war and traditionally mothers are honored in Confucianism . Like many countries South Korea established an official Mothers' Day to commemorate Mothers.
Parents' Day in Korea
But when I came to Korea there was no Mothers' Day. It was changed to Parents' Day in 1973. And there never was a Fathers' Day ever in South Korea. Every year we celebrate the same day, May 8th as Parents' Day. There is now no Mothers' Day and there is no Fathers' Day. The is celebrated on the day of the week that May 8th falls on regardless of that day. It doesn't have to be a Sunday but it may just as well be a Tuesday. This year it fell on a Friday. My Son made some paper flowers following the instructions he learned from his online class. He gave me the flowers and said, "I love you daddy. Thank you for taking care of me." Then he gave his mom the same flower and said the same thing. This was Parents' Day.
Parent's Day in America
There is actually a Parents' Day in America celebrated the fourth Sunday of July since 1994. So there is not only a Mothers' Day and a Fathers' Day but also a Parents' just to make sure we didn't leave any parents out who may not be mothers or fathers.
I think it would be good for South Korea to follow this direction as parenting is very difficult and the birth rate is very low. Parents especially need a little extra pat on the back this year for helping their kids with online class.
Cultures and customs are different in each country. Not one is better than another, but we can learn from each other.
Peace
Do you have a Parent's Day in your country or a Mothers' Day? Is there a Fathers' Day in your country? Or all three?