The third Monday in May is annually observed in South Korea as the Coming of Age Day, celebrating the passage into adulthood of young men and women reaching the age of 19. The ceremony, the origins of which are dating back to 10th century, is meant to make young people proud of their cultural heritage and to infuse them with a sense of responsibility befitting a full-fledged member of society.
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© AP Photo / Lee Jin-man
Exchange students studying in South Korea, wearing South Korean traditional dresses, take a selfie before attending the 44th Coming of Age Day ceremony in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Lee Jin-man
Young men and women wearing South Korean traditional dresses bow during the 44th Coming of Age Day ceremony in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
Performers wait as South Korean students take part in a 'coming-of-age' ceremony at a park in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
South Korean students take part in a 'coming-of-age' ceremony at a park in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
The ceremony marks the point at which a person is legally able to make independent life choices ranging from voting to drinking alcohol.
Above: South Korean students take part in a 'coming-of-age' ceremony at a park in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
Above: South Korean students take part in a 'coming-of-age' ceremony at a park in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Lee Jin-man
Women wearing South Korean traditional dresses, attend the 44th Coming of Age Day ceremony in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
Young people participate in a coming of age ceremony in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Lee Jin-man
South Korean women wearing traditional dresses check their smartphone as they snap pictures before attending the 44th Coming of Age Day ceremony in Seoul. May 16, 2016.
