Korean Adoptees Ministry hosted families, church members and friends to their annual Lunar New Year celebration last Saturday at Korean Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn Center. More than 100 were treated to an authentic educational and colorful experience of Korean dance, dress, traditional costumes, games and food.
A highlight of the evening was a presentation of traditional Korean dress styles. The Rev. Sung Choi Park explained how it was the custom for four generations to live together as a family.
This was illustrated in the Korean clothing across the life cycle, ranging from clothing for young children at a special event marking their first birthday, clothing worn by men and women in families, wedding clothes and clothing worn by elders.
The emcee explained how layers of clothing keep Koreans warm in winter, and how a widow wears white not black mourning clothes. This was preceded by equally colorful dances in costume by the Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Academy from Osseo, featuring one of the oldest traditional dances, the sleeve dance and a dance with drums, taught by Eun Hye Lee.
Traditional games played in the gym included Je-gi-cha-gi and Nul-ddwi-gi. Foods served buffet style included Bul-go-gi, Jap-chae, Man-doo.
In a brief overview about the activities of the Korean Adoptees Ministry Center, Rev. Sung Chul Park showed slides of their recent spiritual journey, when a group traveled from Minnesota to Korea. He invited Korean students to apply for this year’s visit that will be from July 21 to August 13. Scholarships are available through KAM.
Rev. Park also invited community members to help KAM support Korean adoptees, which includes their outreach to incarcerated young adults, one who will shortly be out on parole and needing help with housing and employment. To learn more about KAM and to download scholarship application forms for this year’s group travel to Korea visit their web site at www.KAMCenter.org.
For information on the Korean Institute of Minnesota classes on Korean language, culture, history, music cooking and dance contact Yoon-ju Park at koreaninstitute@gmail.com.
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