Want to share your unforgettable Korea travel experience with the world? Enter the KCCDC's brand-new My Korea Story: Share Your Journey Instagram reel contest!   Whether you've explored Korea's vibrant cities, discovered hidden cultural gems, savored unique K-food, attended a wild K-pop concert, or experienced Korea's rich traditions firsthand, we would love to see and hear your story!   Contest Period: July 6–20, 2026 Eligibility: Open to U.S. residents who have traveled to Korea. Prizes: Five winners will each receive a $100 gift card! How to Enter: 1. Create a 30–60 second Instagram reel about your Korea travel experience 2. Post your reel on your public Instagram account. Include both official hashtags: #MyKoreaStoryWithKCCDC, #KoreanCulturalCenterDC 3. Submit your reel URL and the required information through our Application Form here.    Important Notes: 1. All video footage must be originally captured by the participant. 2. AI tools may be used only for editing or post-production. 3. If AI tools are used, please disclose their use in your submission. 4. Your Instagram account and reel view count must remain public until the winners are announced. 5. Use only copyright-free music, images, and video materials. 6. Selected entries may be featured on the KCCDC's official website and social media channels; winners may be required to provide the original video file upon request. 7. The organizer reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates the contest rules.   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) looks forward to seeing your unforgettable Korea story and sharing your journey with the world!

Get ready for D.C.’s diplomatic party of the year—and everyone’s invited!   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) and embassies across the city will open their doors for Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The KCCDC will be open with a full day of cultural experiences and performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (other embassies’ hours may vary). See below for the complete schedule of events. No RSVP required—simply drop in throughout the day!   About the Event Passport DC is a month-long signature cultural event in Washington, D.C., organized by Events DC and local partner embassies. During the Around the World Embassy Tour, embassies welcome the public and showcase their unique cultures through performances, activities, workshops, demonstrations, tastings, and more. Passport DC is free and open to the public—no RSVP or tickets are required. Lines can become long later in the day, so we recommend arriving early for the best experience!   For more on Passport DC 2026 events throughout May and the Around the World Embassy Tour (May 2) in particular, visit Events DC.     Passport DC: Around the World Embassy Tour at the KCCDC Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. 2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 NO RSVP NEEDED -- FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY!    Main Stage Performances ●10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, & 2:30 PM – Korean Traditional Music and Dance Performances by the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago ●11:00 AM & 1:00 PM – K-Pop Dance and Workshops by Konnect DMV (featuring songs from KPop Demon Hunters, including Golden!)   Indoor Activities (10 AM – 4 PM)  ●KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Room ●KPop Exhibition and Folk Culture Box Experiences ●Exhibition: Connecting Lines (2nd Floor Galleries)   Outdoor Activities (10 AM – 4 PM)  ●KPop Demon Hunters Photobooth – Dress up like the Saja Boys and pose with characters from KPop Demon Hunters ●Korean DIY Crafts – Minhwa Folk Art Coloring & Stamps, Make Your Own Gat (Traditional Korean Hat) Keychain ●Face Stickers inspired by KPop idols and Korean cartoons ●Free Gifts – K-Pop albums, Korean culture magazines, Korean-themed pins, and more!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Red Horse at the Smithsonian's Lunar New Year Festival, featuring KCCDC cultural displays, activities, giveaways, and more that celebrate Seollal!  Find KCCDC table in the pop-up market inside the Arts + Industries Building, right next door to more festivities and performances at the National Museum of Asian Art. And don't miss Korean dance and drumming group Di Dim Sae Korean Traditional Art Institute the same day!  Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration: Korean Seollal  Saturday, February 21, 12:00 - 6:00 PM  Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building For details and to RSVP, visit the NMAA website. Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) 2026: Celebrating the Year of the Red Horse To celebrate Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, and welcome the Year of the Red Horse (2026), the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. will present an exhibition of traditional Seollal seasonal customs (sesipungsok) and display authentic ceremonial items associated with the holiday. Visitors will receive a limited number of traditional Korean craft souvenirs inspired by Seollal traditions. KCCDC Giveaway Items & Cultural Insights Please note: gifts are limited in quantity, one gift per person, and items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis! Thank you for your understanding.  ●Bokjumeoni (복주머니) – Korean Fortune Pouch A traditional silk pouch symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The bokjumeoni is believed to bring luck and abundance for the coming year. ●Year of the Red Horse 2026 Pin Button (2026년 병오년 붉은 말의 해 핀버튼) A commemorative pin celebrating the Year of the Red Horse, symbolizing energy, progress, and success. ●Bokjori (복조리) – Fortune Strainer A traditional bamboo strainer originally used to wash rice. During Seollal, bokjori is hung at the door to “scoop up” good luck and prosperity throughout the year. ●Mape (마패) – Joseon Dynasty Horse Pass A replica of an official horse credential used during the Joseon Dynasty, allowing government officials safe and unhindered travel. The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. bestows this symbolic horse pass as a token of authority, protection, and rising fortune. ●Aekmagi Myeongtae (액막이 명태) – Good Luck Fish A traditional dried pollock charm symbolizing protection and good fortune. Often hung at the entrance of homes during Seollal to ward off bad luck and welcome blessings. ●Minhwa Coloring Set (민화 컬러링 4종 세트) A Korean traditional folk painting coloring set featuring four symbolic themes: ○Tiger & Magpie – Protection and good fortune ○Peony & Butterfly – Prosperity, happiness, love, and longevity ○Deer & Crane – Peace, nobility, and good fortune ○Chaekgeori – Books and scholars’ objects symbolizing knowledge, learning, and aspiration ●K-Pop Random Album A limited number of K-Pop albums will also be given away as a special surprise gift.  

Join the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC), the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), and chef Ellen Lee of AJM Kimchi for Kimjang DC 2025, a hands-on celebration of Korea’s most beloved culinary tradition—kimjang, the communal making and sharing of kimchi! Community members of all backgrounds are invited to experience the taste, culture, and community spirit that define the kimjang tradition and Korea’s most iconic food, kimchi. Enjoy a live kimchi demonstration with chef Lee, then try your hand at making your own kimchi to take home in a free communal workshop that brings people together. Learn about the history, health benefits, and creativity behind this centuries-old culinary tradition, and celebrate the official Kimchi Day in Korea and the United States by connecting with others through the shared joy of food and culture! 📍 Event Details When: Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001) Admission: Free with an RSVP! RSVP FOP THIS EVENT! Opens Nov. 3 at 9:00 AM About Kimjang A centuries-old tradition, kimjang (김장) often happens once or twice a year in Korea as a way for communities to stock up on essential preserved foods like kimchi (김치), especially before winter. This labor-intensive process is rooted in the tight-knit rural communities of the past, yet the culinary and social bonding benefits of kimjang remain a treasured aspect of Korean culture today. This third annual kimjang partnership between the KCCDC and MOAPIA marks 12 years since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Kimjang on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Viriginia, and several other states also already recognize Kimchi Day on November 22, as does Korea, and the U.S. Congress is considering a similar national designation. About Chef Ellen Lee Ellen Lee is a Washington, DC–based culinary creator and founder of AJM Kimchi, a small-batch kimchi and fermentation brand dedicated to sharing the richness of Korean food culture. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in professional kitchens and community food projects, Ellen focuses on preserving traditional techniques while presenting them in approachable, creative ways.   Founded in 2021, AJM Kimchi embodies the spirit of Korean hospitality and craftsmanship through education, collaboration, and sustainability. The name AJM playfully nods to the Korean word “ahjumma”—a term of respect for strong, nurturing women—blended with Ellen’s feline-inspired persona, “Ahjummeow.” The brand’s motto, “Made with Purrpose,” reflects its mission to bring people together through the joy of fermentation, community, and cultural appreciation. For more, follow AJM Kimchi on Instagram.  ℹ️ Important Event Information ●Space and supplies are limited. Up to two tickets can be reserved when you RSVP. ●If you follow a vegan diet, please select that specific option when you RSVP. ●RSVP tickets are required for all attendees, and each person must have their own reservation. Complete information for each person must be included for each person for a valid reservation ("guest of" is not sufficient). ●RSVP tickets do not guarantee a seat, and much of the event activity will be while standing. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue. ●Please note that entry may close early once all seats are occupied. Early arrival is recommended. ●Parking is not provided. Guests are kindly asked to use street parking at their convenience, or nearby public lots. A reminder with additional details will be sent before the events date.

The KCCDC is prod to partner with the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures to present Korea Week 2025 at the University of Notre Dame, a vibrant celebration of Korean craftsmanship and language, marking the 579th anniversary of Hangul Day (Korean Alphabet Day). Join us for a dynamic week of events showcasing the beauty and excellence of Korean traditional arts and culture—including a live K-pop concert and a K-food truck featuring delicious Korean street food. Experience Korea’s past and present through music, food, art, and language! Korea Week 2025 is co-hosted by the KCCDC with the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies and sponsored by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, the Browning Cinema at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and the St. Joseph County Public Library. For complete details, see the announcement.   Fall 2025 Korea Week: Crafting Korean Excellence and Celebrating Hangul October 8 - 11 Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies University of Notre Dame 2150 Jenkins Nanovic Halls Notre Dame, Indiana 46556