Nov 05, 2008
KORUS House prepared an open house for the annual crowds, mostly students, dressed up and canvassing Embassy Row on Oct. 31. By doing so, Korea hopes to show its efforts to embrace America¡¯s national traditions and, moreover, to combine them with Korea¡¯s own by giving out Korean treats, setting up pictures with Korean costumes, and providing information about Korea.
Many students who visited were excited to find an embassy greeting them so warmly.
¡°Korea has done a great job this year. I didn¡¯t expect this from an Embassy!¡± said one student dressed up as vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
Rather than Reese¡¯s or Hershey¡¯s chocolates, KORUS House gave out Korean traditional treats such as pumpkin candy, rice cake treats, milk candy, and more. KORUS House interns also took part in welcoming guests while wearing Korean traditional clothing (hanbok) of the king and queen, as well as tal, a traditional mask costume, and taking pictures with guests clad in Halloween costumes.
By opening up the embassy, guests also had a chance to walk around the building and view the permanent galleries, a Hanok exhibition on the traditional Korean home (Oct. 23 – Nov. 4, 2008), and watch videos about Korea and its culture, including the importance of Dokdo.
By Minhae Choi
