'Pengsoo' Visits Elementary School After-School Care Classroom... Ministry of Education Staff Also Say 'Pengha!'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] EBS's popular character 'Pengsoo' visited an elementary school care classroom and worked as a care assistant, looking after 1st and 2nd grade younger students.

On the 20th at around 11 a.m., Pengsoo visited the Ministry of Education at the Government Sejong Complex and received a 'One-day Care Assistant' appointment certificate from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye. Then, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pengsoo made a surprise visit to the vacation care classroom at Daepyeong Elementary School in Sejong City, spending a joyful time participating in after-school programs with the children.

About 100 1st and 2nd grade students are participating in the care classroom operated during the vacation period at Daepyeong Elementary School. Only school officials knew about Pengsoo's visit schedule, and it was kept a secret from the students.

This meeting was arranged for Pengsoo, who wanted to meet friends even during winter vacation. A Ministry of Education official said, "We will be filming ten-year-old Pengsoo playing with the younger students," adding, "Because Pengsoo is so popular, it took about five months just to arrange this."

Pengsoo's popularity even briefly stirred the Ministry of Education building. Upon hearing that Pengsoo would come to receive the appointment certificate, Ministry employees gathered in the first-floor lobby and hallways, shouting "Peng-ha!" to express their delight, and the sound of mobile phone cameras clicking to take pictures of Pengsoo echoed everywhere.

This was not Pengsoo's first visit to a government ministry. In November last year, Pengsoo visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to film a promotional video for the '2019 Korea-ASEAN Special Summit.' When Pengsoo encountered Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha while moving around, Pengsoo asked, "Where is the big boss here?" causing great laughter. In December, Pengsoo also produced an experience story titled "Today, I am the Big Boss" featuring the Minister of Health and Welfare.

The activities of Pengsoo, who transformed into an elementary care assistant for a day, can be seen early next month on the YouTube channel 'Giant PengTV.'