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.

We are excited to introduce the newly established “Ssireum” display in the Experience Room on the first floor of the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. The wall features a video explanation of the sport, a bull-shaped trophy awarded to Ssireum champions, a “satba” cloth belt tied around the waist and one thigh of each competitor, and much more.

Join the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) to celebrate one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays together at the 2025 Chuseok Family Festival on Saturday, October 4!  Now in its third year since starting in 2023, the festival has quickly become a signature program for the KCCDC and the NMAA, drawing more than 5,000–6,000 visitors of all ages for a full day of cultural experiences. This year’s highlight include a first-ever introduction and live demonstration of 씨름 (ssireum), Korean traditional wrestling, in Washington, D.C. presented by the Korea Ssireum Association, plus live traditional and K-Pop performances, dance workshops, Korean fashion photo booths, unique cultural heritage displays, and arts and crafts activities.   Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위) or more casually as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of Korea's most important and beloved holidays. For many Koreans it is a time to journey home, reconnect with family and loved ones, and to give thanks for life’s blessings. Chuseok traditionally falls on the day of the largest full moon according to the lunar calendar, signaling the end of the harvest season and a time to relax while thanking one’s ancestors for the season’s abundance. For more on Chuseok and its rich traditions, scroll down below. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the exciting and heartwarming traditions of Korea’s beloved autumn holiday that’s all about family, fun, and connection: Chuseok! Chuseok Family Festival  Saturday, October 4, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art 1050 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION ON THE NMAA WEBSITE! HIGHLIGHTS Presented by the KCCDC Ssireum: Traditional Korean Wrestling presented by the Korea Ssireum Association Location: Gallery 30, East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) Photo Display: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Demonstration Matches: 11:00 – 11:20 a.m., 12:30 – 12:50 p.m., 2:30 – 2:50 p.m. Hands-on Workshops:* 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 12:50 – 2:00 p.m., 2:50–4:00 p.m. *Workshop particpants will be selected through an on-site raffle and required to sign a safety waiver, per museum regulations. Participation may be limited.   K-Pop Music and Activities Location: Freer Plaza (West Building Plaza) Featuring music sets by DJ Taeon Lee, performances and workshops by N2 Studios, and music throughout the day, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Traditional Music & Dance Location: Meyer Auditorium, West Building Korean Traditional Dance & Drumming by Di Dim Sae Korean Traditional Art Institute 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Presenting Giwonmu (Ritual Dance), Mega Drum Performance, Burna Spin, Hwaraengi Chum (solo dance), and Samgomu (Drum Dance), under Director Soo Kyung Jung Samulnori Traditional Percussion Ensemble by Washington Samulnori 2:10 – 2:40 p.m. Presenting Samdo Sul Changgo Garak and Samdo Nongak Garak, under Director Sebastian Wang Korean Folk & American Old-time Fusion with Global String Band JOOL 3:00 – 3:40 p.m. Featuring Yoona Kim and Sammy Wetstein, and the Korean ajaeng (bowed zither)   Cultural Displays & Activities All day 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Life Size Charye (차례) Ancestral Rites Table Location: West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), North Corridor Korea Ssireum Association Photo Display  Location: East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Gallery 30   Crafts, Coloring Activities & Traditional Fan Decorating Location: West Building, South Corridor Hanbok (한복) Traditional Korean Clothing Photo Booth Location: East Building, Gallery 27 (Flex Space) Additional programs presented by the NMAA can be found on their website! This event is co-presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., the Korea Ssireum Association, and the National Museum of Asian Art. Generous support is provided by the National Museum of Korea. ABOUT CHUSEOK   Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위) or simply referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of Korea's most important and beloved holidays. For many Koreans it is a time to journey home, reconnect with family and loved ones, and to give thanks for life’s blessings. Traditionally it is on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which in 2024 falls on September 17. Chuseok literally means “autumn evening” and originates with agricultural society as a celebration of the harvest coinciding with a full moon. The holiday’s other name, Hangawi, also means “great ideas of autumn.” According to the lunar calendar, the largest full moon of the year appears on this day, signaling the end of the harvest season and a time to relax while thanking one’s ancestors for the season’s abundance.   Today, many families still gather to share food, games, and fond memories during Chuseok, wherever they live. Many families also maintain the tradition of holding a ritual of thanks with newly harvested crops, expressing their appreciation to their ancestors and to nature itself. Just like Thanksgiving and other harvest festivals worldwide, Chuseok is a blissful time to reconnect and be grateful for all of life’s blessings. As the Korean saying goes, “No more, no less—may it always be perfect like Chuseok” (더도 말고 덜도 말고 한가위만 같아라).   In Korea, the day before and after are also typically part of the public holiday, allowing people to travel to their ancestral hometowns and be with family. A traditional Chuseok feast includes an array of treats and delicacies, including half-moon shaped rice cakes known as Songpyeon (송편), deep-fried, honey-soaked wheat confections known as Yakgwa (약과), savory pancakes of meat, fish, or vegetables known as Jeon (전), and herb-infused rice wine known as Baekju (백주) or newly-made rice liquor known as Shindoju (신도주).   Chuseok is also often marked by other important cultural traditions. During Charye (차례), the family visits their ancestral gravesite for Seongmyo (성묘), to bow and present a symbolic offering of favorite foods or drink, usually accompanied by Beolcho (벌초), the act of tidying up the gravesites by removing weeds to maintain a cared-for appearance, perhaps while wearing traditional Hanbok (한복) clothing.     ABOUT CHARYE (차례)   What is Charye? Fundamentally, Charye is a way to remember, thank, and honor one’s ancestors, as well as to invite their continued blessings. Akin to an intimate memorial service or rite, it is often performed in the home during Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), and other traditional holidays. The Charye tradition centers around the Charye table; an array of foods are lovingly prepared by family members and displayed on the table, which also serves as a place to pay one’s respects with a formal bow. Traditional holidays in Korea often include merrymaking and family fun, but the presence of the Charye table is a quiet reminder that today’s blessings are made possible thanks to one’s ancestors.   Who performs Charye? Charye is a tradition that brings together all members of the family and extended family, each of whom has a chance to briefly offer their respects with a formal bow. Traditionally and when possible, the family's eldest son and his eldest son host the Charye table itself.   Where is Charye held? If a family has a dedicated ancestral shrine site, Charye would likely take place there. Otherwise, the Charye table would be set up in the main room of the home. Different families and regions in Korea may have their own Charye traditions.   How is Charye held? The constraints and pace of modern life can often impede time-honored traditions, but Koreans will generally make a good faith effort to meet the requirements of a proper Charye as best they can. After all, Charye is as much or more about one’s pure sentiment and good intentions as it is about adhering to protocol. While not an explicitly religious tradition in the Western sense of the word, Charye nonetheless has an important spiritual aspect.   Traditionally, one prepares prior to Charye by keeping the mind and body clean for three days. On the morning of, the room housing the Charye table is purified with a brief ritual. Then, under the supervision of the lady of the house, particular foods are prepared for display, including soups, tteok (rice cakes), and jeon (savory pancakes). Meanwhile, male members of the household prepare a written invocation, memorial tablets, ritual vessels, and meat and fruits, all to be included on the table. When it is time to hold the Charye ceremony, the table is carefully set according to tradition with a folding screen behind it. The table also includes a small cup for sul (traditional liquor).   Elements of the Chuseok Charye Table Charye tables can vary depending on region and family. However, an important foundational principle is Jinseol, or the proper directional arrangement of dishes according to their essential nature: for example, fish in the east and meat in the west, sweet sikhye drink in the east, and jujubes, chestnuts, pears, and persimmons arrayed from west to east. Some foods will appear in arrangements that contradict traditional Korean dining etiquette, indicating the table’s otherworldly significance. The table often features five rows of food items in total, all of which can take significant time to prepare by hand. The table itself also faces south, so that those taking part can face north.   The names of deceased family members are written on traditional Hanji paper and placed at the head of the table just in front of the screen to represent those ancestors’ spirits. Essentials like rice, soup, rice cakes, utensils, and liquor cups are placed in the first row just beyond the inscriptions; while Koreans universally eat with their rice bowls to the left of their soup bowls, here the rice is placed to the right of the soup—the proper position for those in the spirit world. During Chusoek, rice and soup will be replaced with Songpyeon, a traditional filled rice cake that resembles a half-moon.   The next row usually features beef and fish dishes, while the third row typically has three soups, each with a different base: beef, seafood, and tofu. The fourth row has dried fish on the left, sikhye at the opposite end, and vegetable side dishes in between. The last row is for sweets like fruit, nuts, and traditional confections; dates, chestnuts, pears, and persimmons are placed in this order from the left. Yakgwa (deep-fried, wheat-based cookies) and hangwa (airy and crunchy rice cookies) are on the right. Interestingly, peaches and red beans are never offered during these ceremonies as they are symbolically used to ward off spirits in other contexts—the opposite of the intention of the Charye table.   To learn more about Charye at Korean traditions, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, the Korean Culture and Information Service, and  Korea’s main information website, Korea.net.

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

Join us for this month's second free K-Cinema Korean movie night!  Exiled to a remote island during the Catholic Persecution of 1801, aristocratic Joseon Dynasty scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (Sul Kyung-gu) becomes fascinated by the sea, its creatures, and the ordinary folk who live there. He agrees to an exchange of knowledge with young fisherman Chang-dae (Byun Yo-han), who himself aspires to make his mark on the world. But as the two become companions, their conflicting world views become more apparent, setting up a fateful decision. Director Lee Jun-ik’s stylish 2021 period film The Book of Fish (자산어보) blends equal parts comedy, history, folk culture, and social commentary into an irresistible story of friendship and its trials in life. Free with an RSVP! Complimentary snacks. In Korean with English subtitles. 126 Minutes. RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!