The 2 biggest holidays of Korea are Chuseok (Thanksgiving) and Seolnal (Lunar New Year). Everyone heads over to their families and celebrate these very family oriented holidays. The family performs jesa, a ceremony that honors their ancestors before they enjoy the food and the games.
Dwight School Seoul, though an international school catering to the foreign population here in Seoul, has always done a schoolwide celebration of these holidays. The Seolnal, which is officially today (February 16, 2018), was celebrated at Dwight last Tuesday. The day started with a schoolwide General Assembly where my son co-hosted:
Immediately after the General Assembly, the students took turns playing traditional Korean games. There’s the Yutnori, Tuho, Biseok, and Ssireum. The craft given to them this year was kite decorating. And oh boy, the kids had fun with their kites! It was also very windy that day, to the delight of the students.
My son has always looked forward to playing Ssireum (korean wrestling). Every year, these kids love to do this more than anything else.
My younger son had taekwondo in lieu of Ssireum but I’m pretty sure he would also love to do Ssireum when he gets the chance. Unfortunately for him, he’s got to grow up first. He brought his kite home and is looking forward to flying it soonest with his Dad.
The auditorium during the General Assembly was colorful and beautiful. Students and teachers don their hanboks. It was a beautiful site of Koreans and foreigners all wearing Korea’s traditional clothing.
Dwight has always appreciated its host country and respects its practices and tradition. My sons, as well as other foreign students, will definitely not forget all the fun and beautiful colors that Seolnal brings.
새해 복 많이 받으세요!
featured image grabbed from Dwight School Seoul’s Facebook page.
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So cute! The best part of Lunar New Year is when the city empties out, the streets are deserted, and Seoul feels like you can actually breathe! I love it.
I was actually surprised there were lots of people last Friday at Gwanghwamun. I thought people go home to their families on Seollal:-).
So great that Dwight takes the time to introduce the kids to these Korean traditions and holidays. I still have super fond memories of raucous games of yutnori growing up…and of course, the saebae (where all the kids clean up on cash from older relatives). 😉
they would have been luckier if they get to experience the saebae too, hahaha!
How cool that your son got to co-host the event! Just make sure he’s careful when he does ssireum… that’s how I broke my knee, haha. Although, I’m sure his young bones are a lot more resilient than mine!
Ssireum among adults must be more competitive, hehehe! It’s nice to see that he gets to host some of the important assemblies at school.
새해 복 많이 받으세요! I love to see children wearing hanbok every Seolnal!
Kudos to your son for being the host. I love how hands on you are as a mom.
thanks, Karla.
This sounds like such a great activity to be a part of! It’s a great way to teach international students about Korean culture which is so important! Congratulations to your son who co-hosted! You must have been a proud mama!
My sons know I am their number 1 critic and most loyal fan:-)
Wow this was a nice celebration of lunar new year. Daming activities na talagang nakakaenjoy like games, kite decorating, and korean wrestling. That was a memorable experience for your son to co host 😃
I always wondered what life would be like being an international school student and it’s cool to glimpse it through your blog, Wendy. I suppose the school would vary according to the country that it’s located in, as is the case with Korean holidays in your sons’ school. It seems they get the best of many worlds!
Thanks, Rocio. My husband and I hope that the boys will have a balanced international-mindedness and they get to appreciate all cultures.
Haha that ssierum match looks like serious business. Looks like everyone had such a great time!
We lived in Korea for 2 years and loved celebrating the holidays at school with the kids, it’s such an important thing to learn more about Korea’s traditions and culture. It looks like your son had a really good time!
Such a great experience for your son to be involved with! My wife and I just moved to Korea last year and have really enjoyed learning about the Korean holidays and the many traditions that go into them. We both found this post educational!
[…] My first son has hosted their school Chuseok and Lunar New Year celebrations and and has always looked forward to the Korean traditional games. His favorite has always been the Korean traditional wrestling called ssireum 씨름. […]
Wow ang galing naman po ng anak mo Ms.Wendy naging co-host sya nang event.Nakakatuwa din na yung hilig nila is Ssireum or korean wrestling at taekwondo👏