Resumption of Traditional Etiquette Education at Gwanak Traditional Outdoor Theater

[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu Offers Various Educational Experiences Including Etiquette, Traditional Games, Tea Ceremony, and Calligraphy... Jungnang-gu Hosts Youth Busking for Seniors... Seongbuk-gu Holds 2022 Parent Special Lecture 'In-Depth Exploration, Student Comprehensive Admissions from A to Z' on 26th... Dongdaemun-gu Family Center Recruits 15 Couples for Premarital Classes for Engaged and Unmarried Couples

Calligraphy experience conducted in 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu Gwanak Cultural Center announced that it will resume traditional etiquette education at the Gwanak Traditional Outdoor Small Theater (45 Nakseongdae-ro 3-gil, inside Nakseongdae Park) starting in June.

Since 2014, the Gwanak Traditional Outdoor Small Theater's Traditional Etiquette Center has conducted about 900 etiquette education sessions. Although operations were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, they will resume following the lifting of mandatory social distancing measures.

The main educational programs consist of four experiential categories: ▲daily etiquette covering greetings, dining, and character education ▲traditional play experiences ▲tea ceremony etiquette ▲calligraphy. Participants can choose two programs they wish to attend.

Operating hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and participants can select their preferred time slot. Children from local daycare centers and kindergartens, as well as Gwanak-gu residents, can participate free of charge. Those residing outside the district will incur a nominal fee.

Residents wishing to apply can make reservations online through the Gwanak Cultural Etiquette Center website or by phone.

Meanwhile, the Gwanak Traditional Outdoor Small Theater has been dedicated to fostering a proper understanding and development of Korea’s unique traditional culture, including resuming traditional wedding ceremonies last November.

An official from the district stated, “Through the resumed traditional etiquette education, we will take the lead in conveying and practicing the value of our culture,” and added, “We ask for the active interest and participation of all residents.”

Jungnang-gu will hold busking performances to provide emotional healing and various cultural experiences for senior citizens.

The district plans to hold four mobile youth busking performances annually for seniors. The first youth busking performance will kick off on the 24th.

The first youth busking will take place on the 24th at 4 p.m. on the outdoor stage of Surimdae Park located in Muk-dong. Attendees can enjoy the beautiful harmonica melodies performed by the volunteer group Korea Harmonica Field while taking in the rose garden scenery at Surimdae Park. The event will also feature 70s and 80s harmonica performances that evoke seniors’ memories, along with recreational activities.

The performance can be freely viewed by using the prepared seats or benches within the park.

Following the first performance, subsequent youth busking events will include various genres and instruments such as old pop songs, bands, acoustic guitars, and saxophones to revive nostalgic memories.

An official from the district said, “This performance was prepared with the hope that seniors will enjoy lively music in a beautiful park filled with blooming roses,” adding, “We will continue to strive to prepare diverse cultural programs for seniors.” Last year, the district held four youth busking events themed as a music vaccine for seniors on Parents’ Day.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) and the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center (Director Han Mi-young) will operate a two-session premarital class titled ‘Shall We Get Married?’ on the 28th and June 4th for engaged couples.

The premarital class ‘Shall We Get Married?’ is designed to help couples preparing for marriage deepen their understanding of themselves and their partners, introduce desirable communication methods, and teach proactive conflict resolution techniques to support a happy married life.

The curriculum includes ▲understanding differences (DISC personality type test) ▲happy couple communication skills (desirable communication methods) ▲checklist for marriage preparation ▲gender-equal companionship (awareness of gender equality sensitivity) ▲making boutonnieres and flower bracelets with fresh flowers.

Additionally, the Dongdaemun-gu premarital class offers special events such as writing letters to each other before the class and exchanging them after completion, a wedding photo zone, and unique experiences like pregnancy simulation.

The classes will be conducted face-to-face at the center, and any couple from Dongdaemun-gu can attend free of charge. Priority will be given to couples who can attend both sessions on the 28th and June 4th.

Couples wishing to apply can access the application link via the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center website or scan the QR code on the promotional poster. The program will accept 15 couples (30 individuals) who are engaged or unmarried.

For more details, contact the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center. A district official said, “We are operating this premarital class face-to-face to create precious memories for couples preparing for marriage or interested in marriage,” and added, “We ask for active participation as it is a great opportunity to meet various couples, communicate, and prepare for a happy married life.”

Seongbuk-gu will hold a special lecture titled ‘Focused Exploration, From A to Z on Student Record Comprehensive Screening’ on the 26th to provide practical support for local students preparing for college entrance exams.

As key details of this year’s university admissions gradually become public, interest among parents and students in the revamped student record comprehensive screening has increased.

Especially since the evaluation criteria and weighting vary by university, admission type, and department, many parents find it challenging to analyze multiple factors and prepare accordingly.

The lecture, lasting about two hours from 6:30 p.m., will be delivered both in-person and online simultaneously. Parents unable to attend in person can experience the event’s atmosphere through live streaming and receive 2023 admission strategies from a current admissions officer.

This special lecture is conducted in partnership with the Seoul Viewer Media Center and will be broadcast live. Instructor Min-kyung Jo (admissions officer at Kyung Hee University) will share practical know-how, explain the student record comprehensive screening?which accounts for a significant portion of early admissions?and analyze evaluation factors to guide systematic exam preparation.

Applications can be submitted via the Seongbuk-gu Office website’s ‘Online Lecture Application’ section until 6 p.m. on May 25.

An official from the district stated, “We aim to resolve parents’ questions about college admissions through such lectures, provide practical help for their children’s exam preparation, enhance parents’ counseling capabilities, and efficiently support local students’ university entrance.”

For more information about the lecture, contact the Seongbuk-gu Office Education Support Division or the Seongbuk Youth Future Support Center.