Join Ginger Park and Frances Park, authors of the children’s book My Sister’s Doljabi, for a special K-Culture Talk exploring and celebrating Korea’s first birthday tradition. Discover the cultural significance of the one-year birthday milestone, dol (돌), and the meaning of objects babies choose during doljabi (돌잡이), through personal stories from the authors.   The Park sisters will also introduce their enchanting new book, My Sister’s Doljabi, and explain how Korean culture inspired their storytelling. Participants will also have a chance to enjoy hands-on activities, including a doljabi experience, tasting traditional Korean rice cakes (tteok) served at a first birthday, and trying on traditional Korean hanbok attire.   Families attending with children will also receive a complimentary copy of My Sister’s Doljabi (while supplies last). The program will conclude with a book signing and the opportunity for guests to meet the authors.  Discover Doljabi: Celebrating the Korean First Birthday Tradition with Authors Ginger Park and Frances Park Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM Location: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! About the Authors   Ginger Park is a Korean American author of many children's books. She has received multiple awards for her work, including the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award, the IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Award, the Paterson Prize Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award, among others. She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.   Frances Park is a Korean American author of books for children and adults. She has received multiple awards for her work, including the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award, the IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Award, the Paterson Prize Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award, among others. She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. For more, visit the authors' website at www.parksisters.com.   Excerpt from My Sister’s Doljabi by Ginger Park and Frances Park   The history of dol—the first-birthday celebration in Korea—goes back centuries. Like the great-grandmother in Binna’s Birthday, our mother, who was born in 1930, lost four of her nine brothers and sisters—all before their first birthdays. Our mother was the only sibling who would go on to celebrate her palsun (80th birthday), and many more birthdays.   Nowadays, with infant mortality very low, the objects in doljabi sets often represent careers, such as a gavel for judge, stethoscope for doctor, cellphone for engineer, and golf club or baseball bat for athlete. Still, dol remains the most important birthday for Koreans all around the world.

Experience the essence of K-Beauty through a special program led by a professional makeup artist from Amorepacific, one of Korea’s leading beauty companies, as they tour the United States! The 2025 Touring K-Arts: K-Beauty Makeup Class goes beyond simple demonstrations, offering in-depth lectures, hands-on training, and personalized guidance in a workshop format to help participants gain a deeper understanding of Korean beauty culture.  This program is supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) as part of the “Touring K-Arts” project.  Program Highlights: ●Introduction to Korean Beauty & Makeup Basics (60 min) Learn about the history and values of traditional Korean beauty, explore the latest K-Beauty trends, and gain essential knowledge of makeup fundamentals. ●Personal Color & Makeup Techniques (45 min) Discover the theory and diagnosis of personal color, learn application methods, and observe professional demonstrations with guided practice. ● K-Beauty Trend Makeup Practice (45 min) Experience hands-on practice with K-Beauty trending looks, followed by Q&A and one-on-one mentoring.   Schedule Monday, September 15, 6:00-8:30 PM Closed session, invited guests only Korean Cultural Center Washington D.C.   Tuesday, September 16, 6:00-8:30 PM Public session, application required (details below) Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.   As spots are very limited for this program, participants will be selected based on a brief application that considers applicants' unique personal aspects and interests. Click here to submit an application for the public session program (Sept. 16).    For questions, please contact us at yeong0@mofa.or.kr.

Pressed flower art is a timeless craft that captures and preserves the natural beauty of real blossoms. Fresh flowers are carefully pressed and dried to maintain their delicate shapes and vibrant colors. Once preserved, these flowers become artistic materials for creative expression, allowing the fleeting beauty of nature to last far beyond its natural lifespan. The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to partner with Director Jae Eun Byun of JUB Cultural Center to host this special K-Culture Talk and pressed flower craft workshop featuring blossoms of the Korean national flower, mugunghwa (무궁화), or rose of sharon, an important symbol of Korean national identity and culture. Mugunghwa flower crafts come in various forms, including framed art, cards, bookmarks, and decorations. In this workshop, participants will create a pressed mugunghwa flower framed art work. Participation in this special program requires a non-refundable materials fee of $10 paid to JUB Cultural Center. K-Culture Talk: Mugunghwa Pressed Flower Craft Workshop Friday, September 12, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C Workshop Overview ●Learn the techniques to press and preserve fresh flowers ●Create your own framed artwork with a unique, personal design ●Learn to make meaningful pieces for keepsakes or gifts   About Instructor Jae Eun Byun ●Director, JUB Korean Cultural Arts Center ●Certified pressed flower instructor ●Pressed flower workshop guest instructor at Fairfax High School ●Artwork exhibited at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. and Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art How to Participate Registration is first-come, first-served. To participate, please first register for the event via eventbrite and staff will email instructions on how to submit the required $10 materials fee to JUB Cultural Center (Zelle or Venmo required).   Click HERE to RSVP!   Pressed Flower Making Process 1.Select Materials Choose fresh flowers or leaves in good condition. Avoid flowers that are too thick or contain too much moisture. 2. Prepare the Flowers Trim unnecessary parts of petals or stems. Cut thicker flowers in half to prevent discoloration. 3. Pressing Place flowers evenly between blotting paper or special pressed-flower paper. Apply steady pressure using a flower press or heavy board. 4.Drying Leave flowers in a cool, dry place for about two weeks. Replace the paper occasionally to prevent mold and preserve colors.   5.Inspection Carefully remove dried flowers and check their shape and color. Handle gently to avoid breakage. 6.Creating Artwork Arrange pressed flowers into frames, cards, bookmarks, or decorative pieces, enhanced with background paper or other design elements.

Join the KCCDC in collaboration with JUB Cultural Center for a special traditional dance workshop centered on the concept of jeongchwi, or the charm of tranquility, mood, and atmosphere. Enjoy a live performance of traditional Korean dances, experience playing a traditional Korean sogo hand drum, and learn basic movements guided by esteemed Korean dancers.   The program will be guided by performers Park Ji Won (Director of Deon Dance Company and an Intangible Cultural Heritage holder) and Byun Jae Un (Director of JUB Cultural Center and the Korean Traditional Arts Foundation-Washington).   This participatory workshop will offer an unforgettable chance to experience the classical roots of Korean dance, characterized by its subtle movements, refined aesthetics, and essential place in Korea's centuries-old national cultural heritage. After the opening performances, participants will practice the basic movement and sounds of the Sinawi Sogo Dance, learn to combine footwork and use of the extended sleeve accessory known as han-sam, and then dance together in sync to live percussion.   Hwagwanmu (화관무) / Performer: Jiwon Park This traditional dance registered as part of the cultural heritage of Hwanghae Province. It is characteristic of Korea’s ancient royal court tradition, where movements were refined and subtle, and it often features the extended sleeve accessory known as han-sam. Experience the solemn movements and gravitas of Hwagwanmu complimented by the charm of the dancer’s decorative floral crown headpiece.   Seoljanggo Dance (설장구춤) / Performer: Jae Un Byun Seoljanggochum is a traditional Korean dance where the performer wears a janggu (an hourglass-shaped drum) over the shoulder and dances to the rhythm of the music. After the music ends, the performer continues the performance by playing the janggu themselves while dancing.   Traditional Dance with Instrumental Accompaniment / Performer: Jiwon Park, Jae Un Byun  A dance performance featuring Sogo dance movements accompanied by traditional Korean instruments such as the janggu (hourglass-shaped drum) and jing (large gong) is scheduled. Enjoy the lively and upbeat live music and dance.   This special K-Culture Talk series presentation and workshop is presented in collaboration with JUB Cultural Center.   Jeongchwi: Korean Traditional Dance Workshop with JUB Culture Center Thursday, June 12, 6:00 – 7:30 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.   RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!

2025 K-Pop Academy DC – Call for Participants ***Extended Application Period***                          Calling all K-Pop fans! Ready to dance like your favorite idols? Join the K-Pop Academy and bring your stage dreams to life!   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to announce the 2025 K-Pop Academy, to be held at the KCCDC from July 7 through July 19 with applications accepted June 9 – 20. This exciting program offers a special opportunity for local fans that are passionate about K-Pop to gain hands-on experience and connect with Korean dance and culture through live training sessions with Korean industry professionals.   There's no cost to join, but the application process is competitive. See below for full details on the program and how to apply.   Program Overview   ●Dates: July 7 (Mon) – July 19 (Sat), 2025 ●Schedule: Three sessions per week; final showcase on Saturday, July 19 ●Location: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) ●Participants: 20 students in the Beginner Class, 20 in the Intermediate Class ●Eligibility: Open to all K-Pop fans aged 15 and older! Participants must also be able to participate in all class sessions in-person in Washington, D.C. according to the schedule below. ●Fees: There is no fee to apply or participate, but due to limited space, submitting your complete application early is highly recommended. ●Language: All classes will be conducted in English—no Korean language ability is required to participate.   Instructor & Class Format   A professional K-Pop dance choreographer from Korea with experience training well-known K-Pop idol groups will lead the program, providing high-quality instruction tailored to participants' levels across two groups. This year’s academy will focus on dance training without a separate vocal training group.   [Beginner] For those who are interested in K-Pop but have little or no dance experience Focuses on basic choreography, performance understanding, teamwork building   [Intermediate] For those with prior experience in K-Pop dance at an intermediate level Focuses on choreography creation, effective practice techniques, role sharing, and leadership skills Not sure which level to choose? No worries! Just upload a 1-minute dance video in the application form, and our instructor will help determine the best level for you. Class Schedule     How to Apply   Application Period: June 9 – 20, 2025 ***Extended Application Period*** How to Apply: Complete the application form via the KCCDC website Selection Announcement: Wednesday, June 25 Selection: 40 participants will be selected through a review of applications   Applicants selected for participation will be contacted directly. Please understand that the process is competitive, and that due to strong interest only a portion of applicants are selected for participation. In your application, be sure to express your passion and tell us what participating would mean to you! Applicants are encouraged to be thoughtful and to convey, for example, their passion, how they could benefit from the program, or their personal motivations, all of which will be considered. Participants are not selected based on individual skill but on maximizing the overall positive impact of the program.   Inquiries   For more information, please visit the KCCDC website or contact us at soh24@mofa.or.kr. 👉Apply Now!(Extended Application Period)👈