Session 9 - Korean Cultural Center

[cgao]

 

Operated by the Korean government's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Cultural Center is dedicated to providing insights into the rich cultural heritage of Korea hrough specialized programs, sponsored events, and multiple learning resources.

[Amy Chen]

Being at the Korean Cultural Center for the first time, I found it very educational. Our docent gave us lots of information from a personal level. Her stories about visiting Korea were funny and interesting. I never heard of face shrinking or that subway announcers tell where the coesmetic surgery centers are. I enjoyed the traditional Korean rooms set up for us to view. The other center also provided a modern exhibit on the trends of Korea. KPop and KBeauty are so popular throughout the world now. I'm glad I had the opportuninty to visit the Korean Cultural Center.

[Jennifer Chang]

What a great experience! I have never been to the Korean Culture Center, and I really enjoyed learning more about our docent's personal life as a 1.5 Korean American, and her perspectives on gender growing up. I am sure there are many things that differ from 1st generation and 2nd generation. I loved that the museum also included a model of what their homes looked like in the past - I am sure that seeing this would give any student or visitor a chance to imagine themselves living during that time. Lastly, I enjoyed walking through the entertainment portion of the Korean Culture Center. It seems like Kpop, video games, entertainment are a gateway to learning to about Korean culture, and I am really glad that they have gained so much global popularity over the years. 

[Lin Kuang]

It´s  an amazing trip we made to Korean Culture Center even though my best firend is a Korean who is running Cal America Language Institue and M.I R. Aviation Academy, in which I first landed when I visited USA in 2001, I never have a chance to enter Korean Culture Centre passing by all the time without stops. The Kpop and Virtue Reality Studio are very impressive to experience authentic Korean culture.  I really think our students will enjoy a trip here. Especially, when I was told they actually offer $200.00 bus tour for public schools. How can we miss this great opportunity to bring our students here to learn the history and culture of this miracle nation on earth. I will talk to our 10 grade  teachers and make sure our Fall semester filed trip will land here.

[Joy Chao]

When people heard about the word “culture” center, most would immediately link it to something old or outdate. It is definitely not the Korean culture center we visited today. Besides the exhibitions of traditional Korean housing, clothing/textile, musical instruments and writing, there’re also other activities that attract the younger generation – Kpop academy, story time and language class. I also enjoy reading the pamphlets introducing different areas of Korea. Such a fantastic way to get people interested in visiting Korea.

[David Ojeda]

Today was my first time visiting the Korean Culture Center. I enjoyed hearing the docent's personal experience regarding her return to Korea (I believe she stated she was born in South Korea but was raised here in the states). Her comments reinforced what we had discussed earlier in the week: beauty is of high importance in Korea. She stated that beauty was a clear sign of wealth; beauty in Korea seems to be defined by one having clear skin, being stylish, and being thin. I wonder if, in addition to reading books and showing films, the center has speakers, like the docent, who narrate their experiences in Korea. The latter would be great as part of a narrative unit in ELA.

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

I enjoyed the Korean Cultural Center and think it was very interesting. I especially liked the model rooms and historical artifacts, but I'm sure my students would like the modern culture on the other side.  If I worked in LA I would take students there, but from San Diego it would be $1000 for a bus and 3 hours up and 5 back (I've taken students to the Getty and the Museum of Tolerance several times, and it always takes that.)  So I don't think it would be worth it for me from San Diego, as it isn't enough to justify the cost and time.

[Anthony Pollard]

     This is a wonderful resource provided by the Korean government's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. It's difficult to summary today's experience because the Korean government is offering us a plethora of Korean cultural activities and travel mto Korea; including activities for students.

     It is a challenge to bring students from San Diego to the Korean Cultural Center because the travel time would be about 3.5 hours each way; It is possible though. It would take some logistical planning, and when the planning is perfect, the plan can be used over and over again, with the modifications as needed. 

[Anthony Pollard]

     Yes, in agreeance, hearing our docent speak about the K-Beauty component and hearing she actually teaches a K-Beauty course was corroboration of the information we learned. 

     This causes conflict with some of the teaching about gender though, as lectured about women, beauty, and roles; Or maybe, it's not clear. But what is clear, both men and women are using K-Beauty.

     So, gender specification is not necessary when talking about K-beauty. Here are some inquistive questions: Are women attempting to make themselves more beautiful to attract men? Are men attempting to make themselves more beautiful to attract women? Are we attempting to become beautiful for attraction in general? Are we attempting to look beautiful for our own self-worth? Clearly, in Korea, this practice has been more popularized and published than other places. By the way, it will be very difficult to maintain "beauty" if you are doing blue collar work. Anybody? Anybody? Hmm?

[Anthony Pollard]

     Yes, exactly, especially for the establishment of the Korean writing system and overcoming invasion and war by assimulation. Now, Korea is a model of economic success, even here in America. 

[Madeline George]

The Korean Cultural Center was delightful before we even stepped into it! It’s garden was beautiful... a little oasis. The docent was so informative and really opened my eyes to the plastic surgery isssue in Korea. She also spoke to the issue of raising  / retaining ones culture .  I really enjoyed how we were shown the areas of the country and the docent gave her experiences with them. Even the instruments—she provided personal connections to them and their music.    I was really struck by the beauty and craftsmanship of the home decorations and the clothing. I wish I could attend some of the classes but they seem to be mostly on weeknights and that won’t work with a 4 hour drive ☹️  Maybe bringing a smaller group of students up in vans would be doable.

[Zoey McKinney]

On my second visit to the Korean Cultural Center, I really enjoyed the opportunity to listen to our docent's personal experiences in Korea. Most of this week is focused on studying East Asia through the viewpoint of an academic, which is a fascinating and thought-provoking experience, but I also like having a speaker who provides us with a more "everyday" perspective of Korea. Her emphasis on Korean people's interest in beauty and attractiveness was very interesting to me, especially in the context of our learning this week. I think it is interesting that this applies to both men and women, since beauty, skincare, plastic surgery etc. are usually gendered female interests. Of our three countries of study, Korea is the one I know least. The Korean Cultural Center is such a great resource for the Korean community as well as people looking to learn more about Korea in general. I am really interested in traveling there now, and glad I was able to get some pamphlets from the center!

[Zoey McKinney]

Interesting questions! I've heard similar discussions from the feminist movement in the U.S. Are makeup / attractive clothes / plastic surgery oppressive because they require women to sacrifice time, money, and comfort for the gratification of men? Or are they empowering because they allow women to feel strong, confident, and beautiful? It's a really difficult question (why does makeup give them confidence in the first place?) that I think each person needs to answer for themselves by really examining their reasons for engaging in these things and weighing the benefits against the required sacrifices. I think the fact that, in the US, we are allowed to choose for ourselves shows the progress we have made with respect to this issue. It's true that women who choose not to participate in that culture are treated a little differently even here, but it sounds like in Korea there is much more societal pressure to be concerned with looks. I think if someone is having plastic surgery because they are truly unhappy with how they look and the surgery will give them confidence and improve their life, all power to them, but when they opt for surgery because their society is demanding a very specific look from them, it is time to examine that particular value. I also acknowledge that I'm coming at this with my own Western beliefs about beauty and conformity, which of course are not universal!

And as to your point about blue collar work - that's often the point! Bound feet, pale skin, impractical clothing - beauty standards are often tied to a sign of wealth. It might be more subconscious for us today, but wearing nice clothing and perfect makeup are definitely signs of having money and time to devote to those things. I imagine that this causes anxiety for people with less money and time.

[Amy Chen]

Hi Anthony,

You're right tht a trip to the Korean Cultural Center would be too far from SD. I'm sure there is some type of Korean museum or communitty center in San Diego. Another way to experience a place that is too far for a field trip is an online excursion where you can have your students explore their website and look for particular facts,

 

[Scott Craig]

I agree with all the points you made. One of the things that struck me about the beauty/plastic surgery push in Korea is that it is not just women, men are doing it too. While personal appearance is definitely important here, it seems there is so much more emphasis on it there.

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