Expo puts the spotlight on unique Korean culture

The Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe was jam-packed last Friday, Nov. 29, with the community coming in full force to learn more about Korea during the Korean Cultural Expo.

Korean Cultural Center president Daniel Huh, who gave the opening remarks, explained the importance of Oct. 9, called Korean Alphabet Day. He said the country’s alphabet, called Hangeul, is regarded as the most scientific, effective, and creative writing system for communication and is well known worldwide.

Huh also talked about the Korean national flag, Taegeukgi, and the Tooho, a Korean traditional arrow-throwing entertainment game.

The Blue Dragon Taekwondo Corp. then took center stage and demonstrated the Korean martial arts of taekwondo, showing basic moves first before transitioning to smashing wooden boards using only their hands and feet.

The assembled crowd also got a kick out of the Korean king and queen costume display.

“Two gentlemen and two ladies put on the Korean king and queen costumes. They showed off the luxurious and gorgeous outfits so elegantly that all the spectators applauded,” said Huh.

The centerpiece of the Korean Cultural Day was the Bibimbap-making and -tasting event.

Bibimbap is a Korean traditional dish that is a symbol of harmony and cooperation.

The Bibimbap station was a certified hit, with participants filing in by the tens to watch how the Korean traditional dish is made.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos joined Huh in stirring the big spoon—known as joogeok in Korean—to complete the cooking of Bibimbap.

While some mixed the boiled rice and a variety of ingredients that were in three big stainless steel bowls, some visitors played Tooho. Marianas Baptist Academy principal Ramir Trinidad was seen trying the game, while Joy San Nicholas listened to Huh talk about Korean heroes shown in the books donated by the South Korea government. A number of children accompanied by their parents and friends were also seen having fun coloring Taegeukgi prints.

The Korean Cultural Expo was made possible with help from the Academy of Korean Studies, a Korean governmental agency.

The office of Korean Cultural Center is located in Kagman. For more information, call Huh at 285-2221 or email kccmarianas@gmail.com.