The 13th annual Korean Culturefest highlights Korean culture and lifestyles with folk dancing, Korean cooking, brush calligraphy, Tae Kwon Do, singing lessons, a talent show, games, Korean drawing, and traditional Korean customs on Saturday, October 4, at the First Presbyterian Church in Plainsboro. The free event will be held rain or shine.##M:[more]##
Jephil and Wonpa Ryoo of West Windsor have been coordinating the event for six years. A pharmaceutical researcher with a doctorate from Rutgers University, he lived in Edison 17 years ago, returned to Korea, and moved to West Windsor seven years ago. Their son David, a graduate of High School South, is a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon, where he is majoring in engineering. Their daughter, Sharon, 16, is a sophomore at South and a member of the dance troupe performing at the event.
Korean dances are presented by the Princeton Korean Dance Troupe led by Kiran Pack, a former West Windsor resident who now lives in Lawrenceville. The group performs in Princeton, New Brunswick, Trenton, and every year in the Plainsboro Founder’s Day parade.
“This year there are more Korean dances including Hwa Gwan Mu (crown dance), Bu Chae Chum (fan dance), Kal Chum (sword dance), Sa Mul No Ri (harvest dance), and Jan Go Chum (drum dance),” says Jephil Ryoo.
Jephil Ryoo presents Korean language and culture classes — usually to individuals or families planning a visit to Korea. He recently worked with a man who was adopted from Korea 40 years ago, when he was two years old. He visited Korea with his American wife in July. “He cannot find family members and it was very difficult for him,” he says.
“People come every year to see the children growing up,” says Jamie Wong, a West Windsor resident and one of the event co-founders 13 years ago. “More than 100 Korean and adoptive families are involved.
Wong gave up chairing the event during her children’s high school years. All active in sports, she spent many hours driving them to tennis matches near and far. Wong, who has been studying art at Rutgers for several years, has a courseload including calligraphy and art history this semester. She will be helping out at the event.
Although the event is aimed at families who have adopted Korean children, all adoptive families of Korean descent and their friends are invited to the experience.
This year’s event include an authentic Korean lunch featuring food cooked both by members and area Korean restaurants, a sing-along focusing on Korean folk songs, a video demonstration about learning basic Korean, Korean dance performance by Princeton Korean Dance Troupe; martial art performance and lesson by K-M Tae-Kwon-Do (Master Lee), and a talent show for children.
There is a Korean food demonstration and lesson presenting a typical Korean lunch “Kimbab,” including vegetables, tuna, noodles, and cheese. Brush calligraphy will be performed using a child’s name or memorable word. Adults and children may pose with Korean costumes. (Bring your own camera). Korean cultural books, souvenirs and travel guide (donated by Korean Culture Service, Korean Consulate, New York) will be displayed and given away for free.
“We want to introduce the culture to families, especially for children adopted from Korea,” Ryoo says. “It is a unique and interactive event with lessons on how to dance, play games, and cook Korean food.”
— Lynn Miller
Korean Culturefest, Princeton Korean Presbyterian Church, 500 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, 609-919-1344. Saturday, October 4, Noon-4 p.m.
