How Much Chugui Should You Give at a Korean Wedding?

Calculate the proper 축의금 (congratulatory money) amount for a Korean wedding.

What's your relationship to the couple?

This has the biggest impact on the recommended gift amount

Wedding Gift Culture in South Korea

Korean wedding gift money — called chugui-geum (축의금) — is a carefully structured social practice. Cash gifts are the universal standard, given in clean, crisp bills in a white envelope. Like Japan, odd numbers are preferred, and the amount you give is meticulously recorded by the couple's family for future reciprocity.

The standard chugui at a Korean wedding is ₩50,000 for friends and colleagues, with close family giving ₩100,000–₩500,000 or more. Korean weddings are efficient ceremonies held at dedicated wedding halls, typically lasting about 30 minutes followed by a buffet meal. The relatively streamlined format means gift expectations are standardized.

Korean wedding gift culture includes a detailed ledger system where every guest's name and gift amount is recorded. This creates a social obligation to give a similar or greater amount when the original giver's family hosts a wedding. Young Koreans increasingly discuss the financial burden this system creates, but it remains deeply embedded in Korean social customs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much chugui should I give at a Korean wedding?

Standard amounts: friends and colleagues ₩50,000, close friends ₩100,000, close family ₩100,000–₩500,000+. Acquaintances may give ₩30,000. Amounts typically follow increments of ₩10,000 and favor odd numbers.

How do I present money at a Korean wedding?

Place crisp bills in a clean white envelope and hand it to the registration desk when you arrive. Your name and gift amount will be recorded in the couple's ledger. Make sure bills are in good condition — wrinkled or old bills are considered disrespectful.

Is ₩50,000 enough for a Korean wedding?

₩50,000 is the standard amount for friends and work colleagues, and it's perfectly acceptable. Close friends should give ₩100,000. Don't stress about giving more than you can afford — giving within the standard range is respected.

What's the reciprocity expectation in Korean weddings?

Korean families keep detailed records of gifts received. When you host a family wedding, those who attended your events are expected to give a similar or slightly higher amount. This reciprocal system means your gift is also an investment in future social obligations.