🧧 Guide · 2026-04-27
Korean Gift Cash for Weddings & Funerals — Amount Guide by Relationship (2026)
Coworker ₩50K, friend ₩70–100K, relative ₩100–200K — the 2026 reference for Korean wedding/funeral cash gifts, adjusted for meal-cost inflation.
TL;DR
Wedding gifts must be above the meal cost; funeral gifts emphasize sincerity over amount. With 2026 hotel meals averaging ₩120K, ₩50K is no longer the default.
Wedding gift — recommended by relationship
| Relationship | Recommended (₩K) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Coworker (not close) | 50 | 50 if absent / 70 if attending |
| Close coworker | 100 | meal + ₩10K |
| Boss / junior | 100–150 | scale by rank gap |
| Close friend | 100–150 | +₩50K if going as a couple |
| Best friend | 200–300 | friendship premium |
| Cousin | 200–300 | confirm with parents |
| Aunt / uncle | 300–500 | family custom first |
| Parents / siblings | 1,000+ | private discussion |
If attending at a hotel venue, set at least ₩20K above the meal cost.
Funeral gift — recommended by relationship
| Relationship | Recommended (₩K) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Coworker | 50–100 | usually pooled by team |
| Friend | 100–150 | when visiting |
| Cousin / distant relative | 100–300 | |
| Direct relative | 300–500 | |
| Parent's funeral (you) | N/A | you receive, not give |
Tradition prefers odd amounts (₩30K / ₩50K / ₩70K / ₩100K). Not mandatory, but elders notice.
Envelope tips
- Wedding: front "祝 結婚" or "축 결혼"; back: your name + organization
- Funeral: front "賻儀" or condolence phrase; back: your name
Common situations
- Q. Got an invite but can't attend? → ₩50K is safe. Even close friends may feel uneasy receiving over ₩100K when you skip.
- Q. Team is pooling cash? → Pay your share; if you're personally close to the bride/groom add another ~₩50K.
- Q. They gave me ₩50K — what should I give them? → Same amount or +₩50K for inflation.
- Q. Bank transfer instead of envelope? → Fine if the invite shows an account. Keep your own record of the amount.
Recommended tools
- Wedding/Funeral Gift Calculator — auto-suggests by relationship/meal/attendance
- Couple-Days Counter
- Wedding Budget Calculator — model gift income from your side
Bottom line
If your gift is below the meal cost, the hosts effectively subsidize you. With 2026 hotel meals at ₩120K average, "₩50K = not attending" has become the silent norm. New baseline if you attend: hotel ₩100K, regular venue ₩70K.