Join the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC), the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), the DC Public Library and chef Patrice Cunningham of Taegu Kimchi for Kimjang Day 2026, a hands-on celebration of Korea’s beloved communal tradition of making and sharing of kimchi!   This grand annual event now in its fourth year commemorates the 2022 establishment of Kimchi Day in Washington, D.C., as well as in Virginia, Maryland, and other states, and coincides with the same holiday in Korea on November 22.   This year’s Kimjang event has expanded to a full afternoon of cultural programs at DC's iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and offers a richer and more diverse experience than ever before, including a conversation with local chef Danny Lee, K-Pop performances by N2 Studios, traditional samulnori percussion music, and the signature Kimjang event with chef Patrice Cunningham, where guests can make and take home their own batch of fresh kimchi.   Kimjang Day 2026 Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1 – 5 PM (check-in opens 30 minutes before each event) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 5F 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC   RSVPs OPEN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 at 10:00 AM! Schedule of Events   1:00 PM | Special Pre-Event Complimentary copies of children’s book Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun courtesy of the DC Public Library (for children ages 5 and up, while supplies last).   1:30–1:50 PM | Auditorium Youngnam Samulnori: Performance by the Open Door Korean Cultural Ministry Team   1:50–2:50 PM | Auditorium Fireside Chat with Chef Danny Lee and MOAPIA Director Ben DeGuzman   3:00–3:40 PM | Auditorium K-Pop Dance Performance & Workshop featuring N2 Studios   3:00–4:30 PM | Event Space (5th Floor) Kimchi Demo & Kimjang Workshop with Chef Patrice Cunningham   Admission: Please note that all events are free with registration, but a separate RSVP may be required for each part!   Important Registration Information Please review the details below before registering!    ●There are three separate tickets options for this event. Please register separately for each part you wish to attend. ●Space and supplies are limited. Up to two tickets can be reserved when you RSVP. ●If you follow a vegan diet, please let us know at check-in. ●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 guests may need to stand throughout some events, such as the Kimjang workshop. Limited 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. ●Attendees with food allergies must inform a staff member or the chef before participating in the Kimjang workshop. 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 annual kimjang partnership between the KCCDC and MOAPIA marks more than a decade 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, Virginia, and other states also already recognize Kimchi Day on November 22, as does Korea, and the U.S. Congress is considering a similar national designation.

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. invites you to My Korea Story 2: Share Your Memory, an evening celebrating the diverse ways people connect with Korea through their own lived and firsthand experiences!   Six local storytellers will share their personal stories and reflections on Korea, from discovering Korean culture through K-pop to exploring traditional practices, navigating questions of identity, and building meaningful friendships. Through their stories, audiences will discover different perspectives on what Korea can mean to people from diverse backgrounds.   Following the storytelling session, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their thoughts, and engage with the presenters during an open Q&A session.   Whether you have your own connection to Korea or are simply curious about Korean culture and the experiences of others, join us for an evening of storytelling, cultural exchange, and conversation!   My Korea Story 2: Share Your Memory Thursday, November 12, 2026 6:00–8:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!   Meet the Guest Presenters! Anne-Marcelle Kouame — Finding Community Through Korean Culture Her interest in K-pop and Korean dramas opened the door to a deeper exploration of cultural connection, the Black diaspora, and a sense of belonging across communities and generations.   Bridgette Cooper — Curiosity Without Borders What began with a BTS documentary grew into a journey of learning Hangeul, exploring Korean history, and discovering connections within her local community. Her story celebrates how curiosity can lead to friendship and cultural understanding.   Génesis Martínez — Discovering Korea Through Travel From exploring Seoul’s cultural landmarks to joining a dance workshop and visiting Busan, she shares how experiencing Korean culture and everyday life helped make her journey memorable.   Ines — A Wedding, New Friendships, and Two Unforgettable Weeks Traveling to Korea with her mother for her best friend’s wedding, Ines discovered Korean wedding traditions, historic landmarks, local tea culture, and the warmth of the people she met along the way.   Joseph Holzman — Identity, Belonging, and Returning to Korea Returning to Korea as a Korean adoptee prompted Joseph to reflect on his connection to his birth country and what it means to be Korean. His story explores identity and belonging as an ongoing personal journey.   Kimberly Do — Discovering Korean Buddhist Traditions A visit to Bongeunsa Temple during its lotus festival introduced Kimberly to the spiritual and communal aspects of Korean Buddhism, including temple culture, tea, and the practice of sharing with others.

Have a special story about Korea? We want to hear from you -- and so do our fans!  The KCCDC is looking for 5 great storytellers to share their unique experiences of Korea in-person at the My Korea Story 2: Share Your Memory event.  Whether it’s a memorable travel adventure, educational experience studing abroad, following your love for K-pop and media, discovering Korean food, or exploring other aspects of Korean culture, we want to hear and share your story. Selected participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with the local community through a presentation of approximately 10 minutes at the in person event on November 12, 2026 and will receive a $200 honorarium.  Important Dates:  ●Application Period: October 19–25, 2026 ●Selected Participants Announced: October 26, 2026 ●Event Date: November 12, 2026 ●Location: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Ready to Apply?  Please complete our application form when you're ready to apply!  Questions?  Check back for more details as they are announced! For questions, please email Jiehyun Park at jh.park@mofa.or.kr. 

Join us at the KCCDC to craft your own customized Korean postcard in celebration of Hangeul Day 2026!  From October 5 through 16, visitors are invited to choose a design and craft their own unique Korean postcard using stamps featuring hangeul alphabet letters, traditional Korean patterns, and iconic images of Korean culture such as hanbok clothing and dolhareubang statues. Create a custom message or choose a suggested one! The postcard is yours to send or keep.  Visitors are welcome to stop by for the activity, no appointment required, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, Oct. 5 - 16.  Stop by, get creative, and make your own one-of-a-kind Korean postcard! Celebrate Hangeul Day 2026 October 5–16, 2026 (1:00–5:00 PM) Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (1st Floor)

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC), in partnership with Indiana University Bloomington Institute for Korean Studies (IKS), will present the 2026 Hangeul Day Celebration on Thursday, October 8, at the Indiana University Bloomington campus. Held in celebration of Hangeul Day, the event invites Indiana University students and the local community to discover Korean language and culture through a variety of interactive activities. Participants can enjoy a Korea and Hangeul-themed quiz, tote bag decorating, Korean food, and raffle prizes. Earlier in the day, a Korean Rice Cake Workshop will be held in two sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Led by Rice Blossoms, the workshop will introduce participants to the cultural significance of Chuseok and songpyeon, a traditional Korean rice cake, followed by a hands-on opportunity to make their own songpyeon. The celebration will also feature a traditional Korean music performance by the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago (KPAC). Featuring samulnori percussion and gayageum, the performance will introduce audiences to the dynamic sounds and traditions of Korean music. 2026 Hangeul Day Celebration Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Location: Indiana University Bloomington, Global and International Studies Building (GISB), 355 N Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN Korean Rice Cake Workshop 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. / 2:00–3:30 p.m. GISB 1060 Hangeul Day Celebration 5:30–7:00 p.m. Shreve Auditorium Please refer to Indiana University’s event information for additional details and registration requirements for individual programs.