Korean Gift Money Guide (Amount by Relationship, Envelope, Etiquette)

Last updated: 2026-06-25

Why gift money is always a dilemma

When you receive a wedding invitation or hear of a death, the first question that comes to mind is "How much should I give?" There is no legally set amount for gift money, and customs differ slightly by region, era, and family culture. Still, there are broad standards that most people share. The two key factors are your relationship and closeness with the other person, and for a wedding, whether you attend and the meal cost. This guide organizes the appropriate amounts and etiquette around these two axes.

Korean wedding and condolence amounts by relationship

The most widely used standard is below. It assumes 'normal' closeness; the closer you are, move up one step. If the relationship is the same, wedding gift money and condolence money are usually given at a similar level.

If you want the amount that fits your exact situation, enter your relationship, closeness, and attendance into the Wedding Gift Calculator and Condolence Money Calculator to get a recommended amount.

Wedding attendance and meal cost — the "at least your meal" rule

Wedding gift money has one extra variable that condolence money does not: the meal. A venue buffet or meal usually costs ₩50,000–70,000 per person, and hotel weddings can exceed ₩80,000. So if you attend a wedding and eat, giving at least the cost of your own meal is considered basic etiquette. Even if you were thinking ₩50,000, if the meal is ₩70,000 you raise it to ₩70,000. If you bring a spouse or children who also eat, add one meal cost per person.

Conversely, if you cannot attend and only send an envelope, there is no meal cost, so a somewhat lower amount than attending is fine (for example ₩100,000 when attending becomes ₩50,000 when not). However, with very close ties people often give a similar amount regardless of attendance.

Odd numbers and amounts to avoid

Gift money has long-standing customs about amount units. Traditionally, odd numbers carry positive 'yang' energy and are seen as auspicious, so amounts like ₩30,000, ₩50,000, and ₩70,000 are common. Round tens such as ₩100,000, ₩200,000, and ₩300,000 are exceptions and are perfectly acceptable. By contrast, amounts with a '4' (like ₩40,000) evoke the word for "death" (死) and are avoided, and ₩90,000 is rarely used because it feels awkward. Choosing ₩70,000 when you are torn between ₩50,000 and ₩100,000 is a safe choice that fits these customs well.

How to write the envelope — wedding and condolence

The phrase you write on the envelope depends on the occasion. If the Chinese characters feel daunting, writing in Korean (or English) is fine, but knowing the traditional phrases is useful.

• Wedding gift — On the front center, write vertically a phrase such as '祝結婚' (congratulations on the marriage), '祝華婚', '祝聖婚', or '祝盛典'.
• Funeral condolence — On the front center, write '賻儀' (buui), '謹弔' (geunjo), '弔儀' (joui), '追慕' (chumo), and the like. '賻儀' (buui) is the safest choice.
• Both — On the lower left of the back, write your affiliation (company, group) and name so the recipient knows who the gift is from.

If you do not write your name, the other person cannot tell whose gift it was when they later organize their records, so always write your name.

Attendance and condolence etiquette

Attitude matters as much as the amount. At a wedding, offer congratulations to the bride's and groom's families and stay quietly in your seat in line with the ceremony. Funeral condolence calls for more care. Wear neat, dark clothing, bow or observe a silent tribute to the deceased at the memorial, then offer a few brief words of comfort to the chief mourner. Avoid prying into the cause of death or laughing and talking loudly.

The principle of reciprocity — return what you received

Gift money is fundamentally about mutual help. If you received an amount from someone in the past, remembering it and giving back a similar amount is considered polite. If you have a record, use it as your baseline, and if a lot of time has passed, adjust slightly for inflation. If you spend a lot on gift money, set a yearly budget in advance with the Gift Money Budget Calculator to spread out the burden.

Summary

• Relationship and closeness are the basis — ₩50,000 for a coworker or acquaintance, ₩100,000 for close ties, ₩100,000–300,000 for a near relative.
• If you attend a wedding, give at least the cost of your own meal (₩50,000–70,000 per person).
• Use odd numbers (₩30,000, ₩50,000, ₩70,000) or round tens, and avoid amounts with a '4'.
• Always write a phrase such as "congratulations" or "buui" and your name on the envelope.
• If you received an amount before, returning a similar amount is the reciprocal courtesy.

Last updated: 2026-06-25