The New Year’s Eve of the lunar year is called "Jeseok" (除夕) or "Jeya" (除夜), or generally "Kkachiseol" or "Jageunseol." A rite to end the old year was observed at the family shrine, after which families bowed to their elders. This custom is called "Gusebae" (舊歲拜) or "Mugeun-sebae," which means "greetings to send off the old year."

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The Day Eyebrows Turn White in Seosan, South Chungcheongnam-do	Narye Ceremony

The Eve of New Year's Day is called "Suse" (守歲) because people used to light up their entire house and entrance gate and stay awake all night. According to a folk legend, if one slept, one's eyebrows would turn white. The reason why the night was lit up had the meaning of burning the old things and welcoming new days. As sleeping on this night was believed to be the sleep of eternity, people tended to stay awake all night, and housewives would be busy preparing food for the New Year's guests, or "Sechan" (歲饌).

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"Driving Out an Evil Spirit Yagwanggwi" by Lee Eok-yeong	Hiding Shoes in Asa, Chungcheongnam-do

One legend has it that on New Year's Eve on the lunar year, an evil spirit named "Yagwanggwi" descended to the earth. The spirit would try on shoes in people's homes and take them away if they fitted. Since it was believed that those who lost shoes on "Jeya" night would have bad luck, people hid their shoes.
Around midnight, people started a fire on the lawn and burned bamboos, which is called "Daebul-nokki." Fresh bamboos making a loud noise in a fire are called "pokjuk" (爆竹), which means "firecracker." This ritual of burning old things was meant to drive away evil spirits and welcome in a holy new year. 
In the royal court of the Joseon dynasty, a ceremony to drive out evil spirits called "Narye" was performed. Various events held on "Jeseok" were aimed at waving the old year out and ushering a new year in.