Pepero Day originated in the mid-1990s among middle school girls in Yeongnam (Busan), South Korea, who exchanged Pepero cookie sticks (manufactured by Lotte Confectionery since 1983) on November 11 with the playful wish to grow 'tall and slender like a Pepero stick'. The date 11/11 was chosen because the four slender numerals mirror four chocolate-covered cookie sticks standing side-by-side. Rapidly embraced by popular culture, Pepero Day evolved into a nationwide celebration of platonic friendship, romantic affection, and workplace collegiality. Similar to Pocky Day celebrated in Japan on the same date, millions of beautifully wrapped boxes containing handwritten notes of gratitude and encouragement are exchanged across schools, offices, and universities.
Pepero Day originated in the mid-1990s among middle school girls in Yeongnam (Busan), South Korea, who exchanged Pepero cookie sticks (manufactured by Lotte Confectionery since 1983) on November 11 with the playful wish to grow 'tall and slender like a Pepero stick'. The date 11/11 was chosen because the four slender numerals mirror four chocolate-covered cookie sticks standing side-by-side. Rapidly embraced by popular culture, Pepero Day evolved into a nationwide celebration of platonic friendship, romantic affection, and workplace collegiality. Similar to Pocky Day celebrated in Japan on the same date, millions of beautifully wrapped boxes containing handwritten notes of gratitude and encouragement are exchanged across schools, offices, and universities.
