KOREAN CARNIVAL IN UTAR

KOREAN CARNIVAL IN UTAR

Centre for Extension EducationUNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN Centre for Extension Education

orea is often referred as the “Land of the Soon after, two beautiful ladies played the flute and

Morning Calm”. The fast growing popularity of keyboard to the famous Korean folk song ‘Arirang’ KKorean entertainment and culture in Malaysia followed by the Chinese song ‘The Moon Represents My

had created an opportunity for the Centre for Extension Heart’ by the late Teresa Teng. The sweet soft melody

Education (CEE), UTAR to collaborate with Korean put smiles on some of the faces as it brought back fond

Language House to host the Korean Carnival in UTAR, PJ memories. The flute player also showed off her skills

campus. The Korean carnival was held in conjunction when she played the popular Malay folk song, ‘Rasa

with UTAR’s 10th Anniversary celebrations. There were Sayang’, and the audience enjoyed and participated by

12 stalls which sold Korean goods, souvenirs, Kpop clapping to the rhythm of the song.

products, handbags, food and DVDs. One of these stalls

provided Hanbok, a traditional Korean attire and most

of the participants took advantage of the opportunity to

pose in the Hanbok whilst their pictures were taken by a

professional photographer. Etude House, a well known

beauty product of Korea was the sponsor of the lucky

draw prizes (worth RM3000) for the carnival.

Participants also had the opportunity to write their

names in the Korean language.

Korean cultural programs were shown on the screen to

provide a Korean atmosphere to the carnival. This was

followed by a Korean movie, The Host. For a brief

moment in time, the audience were drawn into the

fictional world of the movie. Once back to reality, the

audience were eager to be selected by the lovely emcee,

Lam Li Naa to be one of the five lucky participants to

experience a hands-on preparation of the Kimchi

making session conducted by Shin Pil Hyo seon-saeng-

nim (teacher). She guided the participants and audience

in a step-by-step method of Kimchi-making and one of

the participants teasingly said, “Now I know the secret

of making good Kimchi.” Prior to the Kimchi-making

session, her stall was crowded with participants who

purchased her homemade Kimchi and Kimbap. Kimbap,

a popular Korean dish made from steamed white rice

(bap) and various other ingredients rolled in sheets of

dried laver seaweed (kim) and served in bite-size slices

was the most sought after food. It went very well with

Kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean dish made of

vegetables and a variety of seasonings.

Later in the evening, the multi-talented director Ho

Yuhang gave a commentary on the movie, The Host. He

provided fascinating insights of the movie and the

audience had the opportunity to pose questions on

issues related to the film industry. Ho Yuhang is a well

known director and a screen writer and had been

earmarked as one of the most talented young

filmmakers to emerge in Asia in recent years. Apart from

Ho Yuhang, Dr. Hyung-Yong Cho, the Vice Dean of Kyung

Hee University and an Associate Professor in the

Institute of International Education was also invited to

give a talk on Korean culture and non-verbal

communication. He stressed that Korea would be

nothing without its chopsticks and spoons as these

items were very important to the Koreans. He also

pointed out the difference between the non-verbal

communication of the Koreans and other nationalities

such as Malaysians, Indians and Japanese.

As a closure to the Korean carnival, Ms Lim Guat Yen,

Director of Centre for Extension Education was invited

on stage to draw out names and hand over the prizes,

sponsored by Etude House, to 5 lucky winners. Those

who attended the carnival left with feelings of pleasure

as they had learned more about Korean culture and

tasted delicious food as well. Most participants would

be happy to attend such culture related activity to

broaden their horizon and increase their exposure to the

unique cultures of the world.

The Korean chef, Ms Shih Pil Hyo, demonstrating how to make Kim Chi.

Dr. Hyun-Yong Cho from Kyung Hee University, South Korea sharing on Korean body language.

The multi-talented director Ho Yuhang gave a

commentary on the movie, The Host.

Local artist, Zac Lim, performing at the Korean Carnival.

Two beautiful ladies played the flute and keyboard to the famous Korean

folk song ‘Arirang’ followed by the Chinese song ‘The Moon Represents My

Heart’ by the late Teresa Teng.