# data[].attributes.body
CULTURE PASS (2% x 2=4%)

Students are required to submit two reports regarding culture pass. Students can 1) attend two Culture Pass Events or 2) attend one Culture Pass Event and participate in at least two Language Exchange Sessions. Each culture pass report will count for 2% of the final grade. Both culture pass reports are due by the last day of class, December 9th. Students can find Korean culture events in the Boston area on the BU Korean Program's Instagram page (@bukoreanstudies): https://www.instagram.com/bukoreanstudies/

Culture Pass Event Report:

Students attend Culture Pass Events organized by the World Languages and Literatures department or other cultural events approved by the professor. Students will write interesting aspects about the event in English and post a photo they took at the event on Padlet. For each event, students may describe the event, what they have learned from it, and what they thought about it in 15-20 sentences.

Language Exchange Session Report:

Students participate in at least 2 Language Exchange Sessions (50 minutes each) with students at Sogang University or Daegu National University of Education. They will write a report summarizing what they learned throughout the Zoom meeting sessions in 15-20 sentences in English. The students will post a screenshot of the online meeting participants with their names on Padlet to report along with other writings. Each session will consist of 25 minutes in Korean and 25 minutes in English. While speaking Korean, students can practice the expressions and vocabulary words they’ve learned in class. Participation in 2 language exchange sessions will be counted as 1 culture pass report. The report writeup should include the date, duration, and main topic of each session.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Relevant Picture to Hangeul Day Celebration because I forgot to take a picture. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangeul Day Celebration - Joonseo M. (1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangeul Day Celebration - Joonseo M. (1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
The Hangeul Day Celebration event was split up into two different sections. The first of which I attended was mainly centered around the history and historical significance of the Hangeul language and its development. The speaker spoke about King Sejong and his process of creating the Hangeul language. Though Sejong is recognized as the main founder of Hangeul, he was not the only one who had significant influences on the language itself. One thing that I found interesting in this segment was the shape of the characters in Hangeul and its relevance to tongue position. Though I am Korean and its language is not completely foreign to me, this was the first time I found out about the shapes of the characters resembling what the position of the tongue when you pronounce the character looks from the side. After this segment, there was a short break where participants could indulge in well known Korean snacks such as choco-pies and sikhye. This was when the two different groups swapped to go to the other respective section. The second section I attended was about the different dialects in Korea and how it changes the meaning of some slang and phrases in Korean. The most important difference in the various dialects is the rising and falling intonation patterns that each follows. At first it was difficult for me to adjust to such different patterns because I am used to hearing the one associated with Seoul from my family (I think). The different dialects really brought to light how accents are associated mainly with regionality rather than nationality. This section of the event incorporated a fun quiz style activity on what we thought the meaning of certain phrases in Korean meant. Additionally, the speakers encouraged conversation with our peers by allowing us to repeat the phrases we were learning. Overall, this was a great event that was both informative and engaging.

# data[].attributes.body
For my Culture Pass Event, I ended up going to the "Pepero Day" Event where I manually decorated peperos along with making cards to a loved one. The event took place at a kitchen where there was a chocolate fountain, a table full of pepero sticks, and some sprinkles to decorate your pepero. We started off by grabbing a pepero stick, dipping it in the chocolate fountain, and then sprinkling it with different kinds of sprinkles. The activity itself was very enjoyable and I had a fun time decorating my own peperos. I in fact ended up making more than 10 sticks to eat it later while I did some work. Then, as a group, we went outside of the kitchen to a table area to decorate our cards. They provided us with mini cards and letters along with markers, cute stickers, and gems. I liked how crafty and fun this activity was as it was a break from actual college work. Along with that, there was also a Korean traditional game called "gonggi" that a lot of students were playing. After playing games, and crafting our cards, we went back into the kitchen to check up on our pepero sticks making sure the chocolate dried and if it was dried, we were able to put it into a cute plastic wrapping bag. However, if you didn’t want to wrap it up, you could just eat it on the spot and it was very delicious. In addition, they also provided us with a Korean "cider" that tasted like sprite which I also enjoyed as it was very flavorful. With that being said, from Pepero Day, I learned that Pepero Day is a national day in Korea and it is similar to Valentine's Day where instead of giving flowers, you give your loved one peperos. I learned that at first, peperos were supposed to represent being "skinny" and "tall" which are the Korean standards, however, the history moved far from that and now it is like a Valentine's Day in Korea. Overall, from this event, I learned more about the history of Pepero Day along with how to make peperos and I had an amazing time!

# data[].attributes.body
I recently participated in a Pepero Day event through a culture pass, and it turned out to be a fantastic and enriching experience. Pepero Day is celebrated annually in Korea on November 11th, and it’s a day where people exchange Pepero, a snack similar to chocolate-covered breadsticks, with their friends, family, and loved ones. At the event, we had the chance to make and decorate our own Pepero, turning a simple snack into a fun and creative project. Each person personalized their Pepero by adding colorful sprinkles, icing, and designs, making them as unique as possible. In addition to the Pepero-making station, there was another setup where we could create personalized cards for our loved ones. This added an emotional and heartfelt layer to the celebration, as we could express our feelings in a thoughtful way. It was especially meaningful since the cards paired well with the handmade Pepero, giving the gifts a more personal touch. One of the highlights of the event was meeting new people. As I worked on decorating my Pepero, I had the chance to talk to others about what the day meant in different cultures. In Korea, Pepero Day is like Valentine’s Day, where people show their appreciation and affection for those close to them by exchanging these sweet treats. However, in other cultures, like Chinese culture, November 11th is Singles' Day, a day to celebrate being single, which contrasts with the romantic theme of Pepero Day. These conversations deepened my appreciation of how different cultures interpret similar holidays. To make the event even more lively, there was a traditional Korean game called Gonggi that we played as a group. The game involves tossing and catching small stones, and it was a fun and lighthearted way to bond with the new friends I made. The mix of games, creativity, and cultural learning made the event even more memorable. Overall, the event was more than just making Pepero. It was a fun and meaningful way to connect with others, learn about different cultures, and enjoy a sense of community. Experiencing Pepero Day firsthand helped me see how food, traditions, and cultural practices can bring people together in a warm, inviting atmosphere. It was a perfect blend of creativity, culture, and connection, making it an event I’ll remember fondly.

# data[].attributes.body
I also attended the Thadingyut Light Festival event for the culture pass event, hosted by BU BURSA, in collaboration with NEU BURSA and TUFTS MSU. The event took place on the second floor of CDS, and it brought together over 50 people, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Thadingyut, also known as the Festival of Lights, holds deep cultural significance in Burma, symbolizing respect, gratitude, and the lighting of the way for Buddha’s descent to Earth after preaching in heaven. One of the most exciting parts of the event was the Jeopardy game, where we formed 6 teams. The game had us answering questions about Burmese culture, history, and some fun trivia. It was both entertaining and educational, with friendly competition adding to the event’s energy. After the game, we transitioned into hands-on creative activities, which was one of my favorite parts of the day. We got the chance to make flower bouquets and paint lanterns, both of which are symbolic of the Thadingyut celebration. The activity allowed us to express our creativity while also embracing the traditional aspects of the festival. The lanterns we painted reflected the spirit of the event, representing the light and hope central to Thadingyut. The bouquet-making added a personal, delicate touch, allowing us to create something beautiful to take home. Following the arts and crafts, we gathered to enjoy some Burmese traditional food, which felt like a perfect way to end the event. The food was not only delicious but also comforting, making me feel closer to my culture, especially being far from home. Sharing a meal with everyone created a sense of community, and it was wonderful to discuss our shared heritage and memories of celebrating Thadingyut in different parts of the world. Overall, the event was a mix of fun, culture, and creativity, bringing together students from different universities and backgrounds. It was heartwarming to see so many people celebrating this important festival and learning more about Burmese traditions. The combination of games, creative expression, and food made it an enriching and enjoyable experience.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangeul Day Celebration- Minjie(Zoe) Zuo (1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangeul Day Celebration- Minjie(Zoe) Zuo (1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
The Hangeul Day celebration is a very fun and enlightening event. In the first section, we learned about the creation of Hangeul by King Sejong. He designed it to reflect the true pronunciation of Korean. Before Hangeul, people mainly used Chinese characters (Hanmun) for writing,  which made understanding texts a challenge for those without advanced education. Hangeul made it possible for more people. Hangeul can be used to spread Buddhism and Confucianism. In ancient times, the classical texts of Confucianism and Buddhism were originally written in Chinese. After the implementation of Hangeul, many scholars translated those classics to Hangeul, people could better access and understand Confucianism and Buddhist ideas and even learned Chinese through these translated classics. Interestingly, the professor during the sections tells us that when Korean was first spreading, it could be used by spies during wars as a secret language to pass messages, because not many people knew Korean at that time.

In the second section, we explored Korean dialects and their different intonations and accents based on different regionalities. It made me realize how languages constantly change, reflecting the culture of each place. The discussion about slang showed how expressions evolve with time, making me think of similar trends in Chinese. The section also included fun quizzes and prizes, which made learning enjoyable. I also picked up some new Korean phrases throughout the process and made friends with others who attended. I enjoyed this event very much.

# data[].attributes.body
I went to the Pepero Day event for my first culture pass. Before starting the event, there was a presentation that introduced what Pepero Day was in Korea. It mentioned how Pepero Day was celebrated on November 11th and it's a day where people exchange Pepero sticks to show love and affection. It's somewhat similar to Korea's "Valentine's Day". It further stated how other cultures like China also celebrated that day. However, November 11th in China was Singles' Day, when people celebrated being single. Since it was 11/11, it represented 4 singles standing next to one another. It was really interesting to see how different cultures celebrated this day distinctly. After the presentation, we were told that we could make cards for our friends/family as a way of showing love and appreciation. There were cute stickers and colored markers on the table where we can decorate our cards as well. They even provided small envelopes where we could decorate and place our cards in. Moreover, I also got the experience of playing this Korean traditional game called Gonggi. They were small plastic stones where we have to throw one of the stones in the air and before it lands, we need to pick up the rest of the stones on the surface and catch the stone that is in the air at the same time. It was my first time playing it and it was quite challenging for me at first. But, as I practiced several times, I somewhat got a grasp of it. Then, after playing the activity, I finally got the chance to design my own Pepero sticks. On the kitchen table, they had a tray of Pepero sticks, mini chocolate fountain, and sprinkles to decorate the Pepero. I covered my Pepero stick with chocolate and added different-colored sprinkles on top. It was a fun experience and while waiting for the chocolate to dry, I also got the opportunity to communicate with other people at the event. To wrap this up, I felt grateful for attending this event. I not only got to learn more about Korean culture and tradition, but I also got the chance to interact with new people and create my own Pepero Sticks!

# data[].attributes.headline
Book Discussion: Human Acts by Han Kang - Susan (1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Book Discussion: Human Acts by Han Kang - Susan (1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
The Culture Pass event on Han Kang and the Gwangju Uprising was very emotional and made a deep impression on me. Hearing about the real-life stories from the Gwangju Uprising, especially the tragic death of Kim Gyeong-Cheol, a young man who couldn’t speak or hear, was heartbreaking. I found myself feeling sad and angry about how ordinary people were treated so unfairly, all because they were fighting for democracy.

Han Kang’s book The Vegetarian was discussed, and I found it interesting how she writes in a way that makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. It made me uncomfortable, but in a good way—it felt like I was being pulled into the characters’ pain and struggles. One poem we talked about said, “Departed, beautiful souls...You are coming back, aren’t you?” It gave me goosebumps because it felt like a message of hope, even after all the terrible things that happened.

This event made me realize how powerful stories can be in keeping memories alive. Even though it was hard to hear about the suffering, I felt grateful for the chance to learn about it. It reminded me that sharing these stories helps us remember the past and honors the people who stood up for what was right, even when it was dangerous.

# data[].attributes.headline
Book Discussion: Human Acts- Yoonseo Ashley Hwang (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Book Discussion: Human Acts- Yoonseo Ashley Hwang (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
On November 11th, I attended the Book Discussion: Human Acts by Han Kang who was the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. The event was presented by two of BU's Korean Literature Specialists Yoo Sun Yang and Dennis Wuerthner. At this event, I didn’t expect many people to come, however both undergraduate and graduate students came to listen to the discussion about this book. Nevertheless, at this event, both Yoo Sun Yang and Dennis Wuerthner discussed the Korean past that included a lot of tragedies and traumatic events. One thing that I found very interesting and saddening to hear is when BU specialist Yoon Sun Yang spoke to us about how she still to this day has dreams of getting terrorized by the North Korean communists as the events that happened in the past were very traumatic. However, with that being said and on a more positive note, I learned a lot about the history of Korea, in specific the Gwangju uprising which was a student led uprising along with the people of Gwangju. In this uprising, they were protesting for the release of Kim Dae Jung and this protest started off very peaceful, however, it ended with enormous violence. I found this piece of information very common as most protests start off very peaceful and always end with violence which reminded me of the Black Lives Matter protest. In addition, another thing I found very appalling was that this protest led to the deaths of 200 people with more than 2,400 people wounded. While that was occurring, apparently, the military dictators sealed the city so news wouldn't get that of the city of Gwanju and if anyone tried to tell the truth to others, they were either arrested, tortured, or sometimes even murdered for just speaking up. In my opinion, I found this very shocking as I didn’t know such tragedy can occur in Korea. With that being said, I also found this very informational as I got to know more about the origins of my own country. In spite of this incident, there were many books explaining the Gwangju Uprising and this specific book by Han Kang was edited and revised multiple times as more information was given.

One of the first books that spoke about this uprising was called "Beyond Death, Beyond the Darkness of the age" which became very popular as it became available in Korea, Japan, and even America. All in all, I found this discussion to be very informational as I got to know more about the history of Korea along with the tragedies that came along with. I find it very important that people are aware of this as this was a very tragic event in Korea. With that being said, we do not want history to repeat itself.

# data[].attributes.headline
Language Exchange Session Report - Yangchen Sherpalama(1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Language Exchange Session Report - Yangchen Sherpalama(1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
We held our Language Exchange Session on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 9:00 pm and it lasted till 10:00 pm. This discussion was mainly introductions. We started off with speaking in English for about 30 mins and then switched over to Korean. During the first half, we talked a lot about Korea and all the fun activities it has to offer. Yoo jewon - the guy from Sogang University - told us about how they have a Kbbq restaurant in almost every corner of the street. He also told us how karaoke is a very popular hangout for friend groups. He also recommended some place that I don't remember. But I found it interesting how it's very normal for restaurants to close late because here in Boston everything closes at 10 pm. I also told him about the fun things we do here in Boston such as going out for hot pot. We also talked about our hobbies and extracurriculars. Yaein is currently taking a Korean cinema class and Jewon is part of a movie club so we gave each other movie recommendations. We found out that we all love romance movies! For the korean part we discussed college admission and compared the admissions in Korea to the U.S. Apparently there are two exams you have to take in Korea, but over here we only have the SAT and that's also test optional. We asked each other about our grades, majors and expressed how college life is going for us. And we ended it off with everyone giving a fun fact about themselves. Yaein's was that she went to high school with the son of a very popular Korean talk show host and Jewon's was that his school is 10 minutes away from a street in Hongdae! Overall, it was very fun and I'm really glad I got to connect with them as well as learn more about Korea.

# data[].attributes.headline
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Minjie(Zoe) Zuo

# data[].attributes.subject
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Minjie(Zoe) Zuo

# data[].attributes.body
On November 16th, I attended the Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night, and it was so much fun! At the start of the event, the hosts introduced us to the history of Korean dramas, highlighting their rise in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, and again between the 1990s and 2000s with the Hallyu movement and Korean Wave. Many notable series emerged during this period, such as Love and Ambition and Sandglass. The hosts also discussed common K-drama tropes like love triangles, the rich guy & poor girl, and bullying/revenge themes. Since this was also a Spanish event, they shared the history of telenovelas, Latin American drama series known for their emotional, dramatic storylines and limited episode runs, often revolving around love, betrayal, and social issues.

After covering the basics, we officially started the murder mystery investigation. The case involved Detective Pedro Pascal looking into the death of Oscar Isaac, the CFO of a company who had been in a car accident and was recovering in the hospital but mysteriously died during recovery. We were divided into six groups, each with 12 pieces of evidence to examine. Our task was to investigate the people around Isaac, uncover their hidden relationships and conflicts, and identify the killer. The entire process was fascinating and full of brainstorming. We had lively discussions as a group, and when the time was up, we submitted our interpretation and waited for the hosts to announce the "result" and reveal the key evidence. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it right, as we didn’t expect the killer would be the detective!

# data[].attributes.headline
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Lucia Tao (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Lucia Tao (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
Last night we teamed up to attend the Mystery Night hosted by Global House. It was a lot of fun and informative. In the beginning, the host introduced the history of Telenovelas and K-Dramas. I'm informed that the "Hallyu Movement" started in the 1990s from which on started its profound impact on the drama fashion currents around Asia.

We then went over the complicated character relationship in which all the roles are named after famous Korean and Spanish TV stars. Then I was totally overwhelmed by the tons of clues and detective reports on the table. I mean is it always fun to discuss with friends but to go through the details one by one and to give clear reasoning in a short time is totally a challenge. We are largely distracted by the complicated character relationship when trying to get a conclusion. But we were actually very close to the truth thanks to the brainstorming of Speshall.

# data[].attributes.headline
Book Discussion: Human Acts - Joonseo M. (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Book Discussion: Human Acts - Joonseo M. (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
For my second Culture Pass event for this class, I attended a Book discussion event led by Korean Literature Specialists Dennis Wuerthner and Yoon Sun Yang. The book being discussed was the Korean book Human Acts by Han Kang. This book was actually the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. The discussion first started with the two specialists giving a brief presentation on the history of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising which is what Han Kang’s work is based off of. I found it intriguing to learn about this protest that took a turn to violence because I had actually never heard of it before. I felt good about being informed about another event in Korea’s history. As someone who was born in Korea but raised in the US, I find it difficult at times to find genuine connections with Korea. However, learning about events in history like the Gwangju Uprising allows me to learn and hopefully develop more feelings towards Korea and its history. Following this informative presentation, Wuerthner and Yang led a discussion amongst the attendees of the discussion. I thought it was very good that they allowed the students there to voice their thoughts on the book so that it could become a discussion. Though I was unable to read the first chapters of the book before attending the discussion, the bits of information on the book I was able to get from the discussion was in itself fascinating. I learned how the book’s chapters are told from the perspectives of the characters in the story allowing for a stronger connection between the reader and novel. I was also surprised to hear from my peers that the different chapters tell the story from different perspectives of various characters. Though I hadn’t read the novel, I imagined that this allowed the reader to get a deeper and holistic view of the Gwangju Uprising from the perspective of people who differed in their experiences. While it was at times difficult to keep up with the discussion because I had not been able to read the novel, it was still a great event that combined the acknowledgment of a Nobel Prize Winner and the informant of an important event in Korea’s History.

# data[].attributes.body
For my second culture pass, I attended this Thadingyut Light Festival event held by BU BURSA, NEU BURSA, and TUFTS MSU. It was located in CDS. Thadingyut Light Festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in Myanmar as it's the day where people welcome Buddha's return from heaven after he preached his mother. This festival takes place during a full moon day in October. People normally would light up candles, oil lamps, and lights in their homes, streets, and pagodas. This is also a time where families come together and show respect to elders and teachers. At the event held by BURSA, we started off by playing Jeopardy. They formed us into 6 groups and I was in a group with 2 BU students and 3 other NEU students. The Jeopardy game contained questions ranging from the festival to traditional food in Myanmar. Some questions were easy, while others were hard. This made it fun since through playing the game, I was able to gain more knowledge about the festival itself. I think it was pretty educational. Moreover, I was also able to interact with students from other schools and getting to know more about them. We connected through the game and it felt really nice meeting people from your hometown as you feel a sense of familiarity. After Jeopardy, there was a bouquet-making and lantern-painting activity. People could choose which activity they want to do and I chose to do the bouquet. They had cute ribbons for us to tie our bouquet after we were done. Overall, I think it was a light and fun activity. Lastly, they had Burmese food for everyone. This was my favorite part as I've been craving Burmese food for the longest time. It tasted so good and it brought me a step closer to home. On top of the Burmese food, they also had Burmese snacks and traditional Burmese milk tea. It satisfied my cravings and I think it was the best way to end the event. To end this report, I believe the event was really fun and heartwarming. I was able to connect with students from other schools and on top of that, I was also able to eat Burmese food. The event was also quite exciting since it was my first time seeing so many Burmese people gathered in one room. To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed the event as it made me feel like I was back in Myanmar and brought back a sense of familiarity that I especially needed after being away home.

# data[].attributes.body
I attended Sevnteen’s World Tour “Seventeen is Right Here” on October 27th. This was my second time seeing Seventeen and it was extremely fun both times. Seventeen is a thirteen-member group consisting of Seungcheol, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Vernon, Seungkwan, and Dino. The members are divided into three subunits: Vocal, Performance, and Hip Hop, each showcasing their unique strengths and talents. They performed about twenty songs spanning various albums and eras. The concert was 3 hours long. They performed some of my favorite songs including Fear, Super, and Lilili Yabbay. While the members do speak some English, most of the concert was in Korean. Throughout the concert, I picked up on many words and phrases that I learned in class. My favorite part of the concert was the “never-ending 아주 Nice.” One of their most popular songs is 아주 Nice and it's well known for its musical chorus. During the last ten minutes of the concert, they replay the chorus of the song over and over while letting the audience dance to it. I had an amazing time at the concert and learned a lot about KPOP and Korean culture.

# data[].attributes.headline
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Speshell Hall

# data[].attributes.subject
Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night - Speshell Hall

# data[].attributes.body
I attended the Korean/Spanish Multicluster Event: Telenovela/K-Drama Murder Mystery Night. I was pleasantly surprised by this event since I wasn’t sure what it would be about when I registered. The event was a murder mystery where teams worked together to uncover the murderer. Many Korean celebrities were included as characters, my favorite was Cha Eunwoo. At the beginning of the event, we learned about the history of K-dramas and their cultural significance. The first K-drama ever produced was "Death Row Prisoner" (죽음의 형무소), which aired in 1962 on KBS.  We also learned about  "What Is Love?" (사랑이 뭐길래), which was aired in 1991 and is widely recognized as a pioneer in Korean media. These dramas contributed to the beginning of the Hallyu movement and the Korean Wave.

The actual task of the event was to find the killer amongst a group of suspects. We were given several pieces of evidence such as bank statements, police reports, emails amongst CEOs, and more. This task was very challenging because we didn't have much to work with and had to piece together the case with only twelve pieces of evidence and general background information. The killer ended up being the detective, Pedro Pascall, which was a huge plot twist and only one group who participated correctly guessed it. This event was extremely fun and I would definitely recommend it to other students.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangeul Day Celebration - Yueyou Tao(1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangeul Day Celebration - Yueyou Tao(1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
The Hanguel Day celebration was fun and enlightening as well. It included two parts. I first went to the dialect events and learned some 대구 dialects. It was quite fun to know how the same words' meanings are different between the areas. Interestingly, when learning to pronounce Korean, I didn't realize that the tones are so important that it helps to show the hometown of one person. I remember the 경상도 dialect "가가가가" which means "it that the one you talking about?" This was so fun because the tone of it sounded a little bit mean, and when using dialects, it makes people feel safe and at home. So I think it is always alright that the dialects sound a bit mean in all the languages.

The second part of the event mainly focused on the history and origin of Hanguel. We learned about the creation of Hangeul by King Sejong. He designed the language to reflect the pronunciation of Korean. Back when Hangeul was not invented, the writing of Korean mainly used Chinese which made the understanding of it require advanced education. The creation of Hangeul made the spread of it much easier so that more people were able to get access to the information including the content of Confucianism and Buddhist ideas. This helps the spread of knowledge.

The snacks are nice, the events are wonderful, I really had a great time and learned a lot.

# data[].attributes.body
The Hanguel Day Celebration helped me get a true introduction to the included language itself. Before this event, I had no idea what Hangeul's history and significance was, but after learning about it during the celebration, I thought about how unique and special it was. One example I found particularly fascinating was that Hangeul, originally borrowed Chinese characters, which immediately more familiar to me since I have learned Chinese, so when I learned Hangeul, it is like a letter originated with my study, it was easier for me to get started. But gradually it became its own system of writing. About the fact that the sounds of "f" and "v" used to be part of the language, but eventually disappeared over time — I had also had no idea. It was a reminder of how languages evolve and change with time.

In fact, which made the experience even more worthwhile, I had the opportunity to taste some Korean snacks and drinks between the two sessions. I was delighted to discover these snacks, H-Mart later on, which made me happy. The second session was about the different dialects in Korea. I was surprised to learn that people say the same thing in different ways in different areas. It showed me how language can be different even in one country.

This event helped me understand Hangeul better and also gave me a sense of Korean culture and history. I didn’t know so much before, and now I want to learn more. It was a fun and interesting event, and I left feeling excited. Now, I feel more connected to the language, and I want to study Korean more.

# data[].attributes.body
This was my first NCT Dream concert in the U.S., one that I had been anticipating. I started to like them in 2018, and at that point, I couldn’t go to Korea because I was too young. The pandemic hit and made going to see them live even more difficult. But I had watched their concerts online so I regretted not doing it in person. Since summer break I had been counting the days in excitement, and the closer we got to concert day the bigger the anticipation. Just the feeling in the air, the crowd, the vibe of the event was something you would never forget.

I was inspired by Mark on stage — his love for his work and how hard he worked to bring his dream to reality. He wasn’t simply performing; he was living his dream, and it was evident from every last move. We were all there shining with him, lighting up the arena. His commitment made me strive to work that much more in my own life and served as a reminder that anything is possible if you put in the work.

K-pop has long been a major component of Korean culture, but it’s more than music. It shows how people from different cultures and backgrounds connect with one another." For me, the concert was less about an evening of great music than about being inspired by and feeling connected to the culture. K-pop, as a lesson, taught me to fight for what I love and never give up, and for that I’ll always be thankful.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangeul Day Celebration - Elizabeth Choi (1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangeul Day Celebration - Elizabeth Choi (1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
On October 11th, 2024, I attended Boston University’s Hangeul Day Celebration. There were two different sessions held during this event. The first session I attended was a presentation about the history of the development of the Korean language by Literature Specialist Dennis Wuerthner. I learned about King Sejong, who is one of the main founders of the Korean language. I always knew that the Korean language Hangeul was derived from the Chinese language, but when I audibly heard Professor Wuerthner differentiate between Hangeul and Hanja, it was interesting how different yet similar the words sound, especially with how articulating your tongue and mouth plays a huge role in being able to produce these sounds. Also, I learned that certain sounds like “v” disappeared over time, which fascinated me because listening to these Korean words with “v” sounds is very different from the modern Hangeul language.

The second session I attended was a brief introduction to Korean dialects, led by professors Heeju Lee and Jinmyung Lee. Hearing various examples of dialects from popular movies and k-dramas, and listening to the professors speak one word in different dialects was really interesting. Some of my favorite phrases I learned that day were “아아”, which means “ice americano” and “얼죽아” which is in short for “얼어죽어도 아이스 아메리카노” which means “Even if I freeze to death it’s ice americano”. This was really funny to me because I do this so often so I can relate to this phrase heavily. My mother is from Daegu, South Korea, so after the event I told her what I learned; she was very happy.

There were Korean snacks and drinks provided throughout the duration of the event, making the celebration day feel very lighthearted and welcoming.

# data[].attributes.headline
Book Discussion: "Human Acts" by Han Kang - Elizabeth Choi (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Book Discussion: "Human Acts" by Han Kang - Elizabeth Choi (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
On November 11th, 2024, I attended Boston University’s Cultural Event hosted by Korean Literature Specialists Yoon Sun Yang and Dennis Wuerthner. The event was a book discussion on “Human Acts” by Han Kang, who was the winner of the 2024 Nobel prize in literature. This was a very moving discussion to attend to.

I have some family members who are in some way related to the Gwangju uprising, so one of the main reasons I wanted to attend this event was to truly learn more about what happened during the Gwangju uprising. I was also interested in seeing any documentaries because I have only researched this tragedy through the internet and websites. It was truly devastating to hear and watch about the stories of the victims. The only standing documentaries of the Gwangju uprising were filmed by German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, who was also the only journalist who has filmed the 1980 tragedy of Korea. It makes me think that if it weren’t for his documentaries, the public media would’ve never gotten the truth of what life was like during the massacre. Due to political power and media, a simple “everything is okay” can truly throw off how the outside world viewed the legitimacy of what was happening in Gwangju. It would’ve been assumed that everything was fine when it really wasn’t, which is really horrifying to think about. Just imagining how scared and tense the city was, especially when the military isolated the city from the rest of South Korea, prohibiting citizens from speaking up, as they would be punished through violence.

Regardless of the heavy topic, I have learned a lot throughout the book discussion event, it was a very meaningful and powerful lecture and experience.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangeul Day Celebration - Yueshan Hao (1/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangeul Day Celebration - Yueshan Hao (1/2)

# data[].attributes.body
I attended a Korean cultural event organized by the World Languages and

Literatures department in October, and it was such a memorable experience. The event focused on the origin of Hangul, the Korean writing system, and how it was created by King Sejong in the 15th century. I was really impressed by how thoughtfully Hangul was designed—it’s simple, logical, and easy to learn, yet it holds so much cultural significance. Learning about its history gave me a deeper appreciation for the Korean language.

One of the best parts of the event was meeting my wonderful Korean professor and classmates. Seeing familiar faces made the event even more enjoyable, and it was a great opportunity to connect with others who are also passionate about learning Korean. We shared what we learned during the event and had some interesting discussions about Korean culture. It felt nice to be part of such a welcoming and supportive group.

Another highlight was definitely the food! There was an amazing selection of Korean

snacks, and I got to try some new ones for the first time. They were so delicious and added a fun, flavorful touch to the whole experience. Overall, attending this event was both educational and enjoyable, and it made me even more excited to continue exploring Korean culture.

# data[].attributes.headline
Whose Promised Land? Israel, Palestine and World Religions - Yueshan Hao (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Whose Promised Land? Israel, Palestine and World Religions - Yueshan Hao (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
On December 2, I attended the event “Whose Promised Land? Israel, Palestine, and World Religions,” organized by the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies at Boston University.

The lecture focused on the intersection of religion and politics in the region. Professor Troen highlighted the evolving relationships among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam regarding the concept of the "Promised Land." He provided insights into how religious doctrines have influenced political actions and international attitudes toward Israel and Palestine. The slides presented during the event were very informative. They outlined major historical milestones, such as the Vatican's role in UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (1947).

Overall, I found the lecture deeply. It made me realize how intertwined religion and politics can be, especially in regions like the Middle East. The reception afterward provided a great opportunity to interact with other attendees and reflect on the discussion. This event broadened my perspective on a complex issue that I previously knew little about.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Splash by BUCTCC&BU Mahjong Club- Susan (2/2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Splash by BUCTCC&BU Mahjong Club- Susan (2/2)

# data[].attributes.body
Walking into "Cultural Splash" felt like stepping into a vibrant, living tapestry of Chinese tradition. I was immediately drawn to the racks of traditional Chinese clothing—cheongsams and hanfu in radiant colors and intricate patterns. I couldn’t resist trying one on; the feel of the silk and the way it draped made me feel like I had traveled back in time. Seeing others do the same, each person transformed into a figure from ancient China, was heartwarming. It was as if we were all part of a historical drama.

I wandered from booth to booth, each offering something unique and exciting. One booth had Chinese-themed games where I got a crash course in my luck. But the snacks booth made up for it, I still dream about the red bean buns and savory dumplings. The smell alone transported me to bustling street markets in Beijing.

The highlight, of course, was the Mahjong tables. I couldn’t hide my excitement when I saw them. Being a Mahjong expert, I felt right at home. I joined a game, and it wasn’t long before a small crowd gathered to watch. Playing with a mix of seasoned players and enthusiastic beginners, I shared strategies, explained tile combinations, and celebrated with everyone when they nailed their first pung or kong. One beginner told me, "I’ve always wanted to learn this game, but it seemed so complicated!" Watching their confidence grow throughout the game was deeply rewarding.

The atmosphere became electric during the "Ichiban Prize" event. Everyone crowded around, tickets in hand, cheering as winners were announced. I didn’t win anything, but the energy in the room was so infectious that it didn’t matter.

By the end of the day, I left not just with a bag full of exquisite souvenirs but with a full heart. I felt more connected to my culture and proud to share it with others, especially through Mahjong. For a few hours, it wasn’t just about celebrating Chinese tradition—it was about building a shared experience with a diverse community, one tile and one snack at a time.

# data[].attributes.body
On Novemeber 6,2024, I attended "Cultural Splash" with two of my friends. This event had a lot of interesting things to offer. One being their cultural outfit - hanfu. Although I didn't try it on myself, it was fun to see all the different designs and colors that were presented. They had both male and female hanfu's which allowed me to observe the differences and similarities of the dresses. Males tend to have a one piece outfit, while women had to layer themselves. But they both carried a similar style specifcially in terms of how it flows. We took a bunch of pictures and they also had two tables of mahjong. Although I didn't know the rules a hundered percent, I still atempted to play and learn about the significance of this game in uniting people together. I felt as if I felt it first hand since I got to meet and make lots of new friends through this.

Some of the eboards were also teaching traditonal dances. I observed the techniques and the elegnace of the moves and even related it back to my Tibetan cultural dance. How they both tend to focus on the arms rather than the legs. And how each move is carried out perfectly and with patience. Overall, I thought this was a very fun event. It was very engaging as there were lots of interactive activites provided. 10/10 recommend.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hanguel day celebration -  Yangchen (3/3)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hanguel day celebration -  Yangchen (3/3)

# data[].attributes.body
This event was a great way to start korean class. It had to sections one where we foused on the origin of hanguel and the other where we focused on the dae- gu dialect. I liked how the teachers considered the importance of learning the history of the language and how it came to be before learning it. Learning of the history - who kim sejong was and how he created hanguel - made me understand the reasoning as to why hanguel is shaped as it is today. I also enjoyed getting to hear the evolution and the reasoning of why Kim Sejong made the hangeul language. How, although it wasn't necessary, he went out of his way to almost create an indentity to koreans that belongs to only Koreans. The second part of the presentation fouced on dialect. It wasn't interesting hearing how the same words, in the same country but different can sound so same. How the tone of how one pronounces a word can release a "vibe". In this case, hearing the tougher daegu accent was very interesting. It's also interesting how easy distingulishable it is. How the dialect is unique to a specific hometown. The reference to the BTS songs also made this part of the presentation more interesting. I also really enjoyed the snacks provided. It not only showed a side of the Korean culture but also kept us full. 😋