Every spring, South Korea bursts into a frothy pink spectacle of cherry blossoms, and people (myself included) lose their collective minds over it: pictures, picnics, proposals, you name it. But have you ever wondered how these fluffy floral celebrities ended up here in the first place?

Cherry trees (beotkkot namu, 벚꽃나무) have been blooming on the Korean peninsula for centuries. Native species like Prunus yedoensis var. nudiflora bloomed quietly in places like Jeju Island, minding their own business. But things got messy in the early 20th century during Japan’s occupation of Korea (1910–1945). The Japanese government, big fans of cherry blossoms as a symbol of imperial beauty and fleeting life, planted thousands of Japanese cherry trees throughout Korea, including around Seoul’s royal palaces.

After liberation in 1945, many of those trees were removed due to their association with the Japanese colonial period. However, like any good K-drama plot twist, the cherry blossom made a comeback. By the late 20th century, Koreans had re-claimed the bloom, this time as a joyful harbinger of spring and a prime excuse for festivals, soju-fueled picnics, and camera rolls full of petals (me. that’s me).

Today, cherry blossoms are celebrated nationwide, from the modern skyscrapers of Seoul to Gyeongju’s historic streets. There’s still some debate over which species is truly Korean (Jeju’s native King Cherry Tree gets plenty of patriotic love). But at this point, the cherry blossom isn’t just a flower — it’s a whole season, a social event, and a cultural love affair.

Cafes and shops take advantage of the pink petals’ popularity and add cherry blossom flavored, scented, and shaped items to their menus and shelves in March and April.

My Instagram feed has been PINK for weeks.  And the third week of April I was able to get out to a couple popular cherry tree streets in Hapjeong and take a lot of pictures of my own. But last weekend’s heavy rains pulled down most of the petals in Seoul…and now we have to wait for next year to enjoy them again.

So next time you find yourself under a pink-blossomed canopy, remember: these trees have history, drama, and serious staying power. Just like Korea itself.