Social Event Held to Mark Brazilian President Lula's State Visit
First Lady Janja Arrives in Korea One Day Before President Lula
Sharing the Beauty of Hanbok, Strengthening Ties Between First Ladies
Brazilian First Lady: "Korea's Soft Power
On the 21st, Kim Hyekyung visited Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, together with Brazil's First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, who is visiting Korea, for a hanbok-themed social engagement.
Kim Hyekyung and Janja Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are visiting a shop and looking at accessories during a social engagement at Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. (Photo by Cheong Wa Dae) Yonhap News
Cheong Wa Dae deputy spokesperson Jeon Eunsu explained, "This event was prepared to share the beauty of hanbok, Korea's traditional clothing, and to strengthen the friendship between the first ladies of the two countries." First Lady Janja arrived one day earlier than President Lula.
Kim wore a hanbok consisting of a green jeogori and skirt symbolizing the colors of the Brazilian flag, matched with a yellow goreum, delivering a heartfelt message of welcome to the Brazilian state guests. When Kim mentioned the "hanbok proof shot" that Janja had posted on her social media (SNS) and praised her by saying, "It suits you so well," Janja replied, "It is an honor," adding, "Hanbok is so beautiful. I wore hanbok and made the Korean finger heart, and Korea is incredibly popular among young people in Brazil."
Janja also told Kim, "Korea's soft power is remarkable," and introduced the Korean Wave boom in Brazil, mentioning the K-pop group Black Swan, which includes a Brazilian member.
The two first ladies then visited a custom hanbok shop inside Gwangjang Market. As she entered the store, Kim asked, "This is the place that uses domestically produced silk fabric, right?" and looked specifically for Korean silk. When the shopkeeper explained, "We can of course use domestically produced fabric, and after hand-dyeing it, we can tailor it to your taste," the two first ladies immediately picked out pastel-tone fabrics, confirming each other's preferences.
When Janja chose a pink-toned fabric, Kim said, "In Korea, the mothers of the bride and groom sometimes match the colors of their hanbok as a couple for the wedding," and selected another fabric with the same pattern in a different color. Kim also said to Janja, "If you wear hanbok, the people of the Republic of Korea will cheer. How about we surprise the presidents?" turning the scene into a sea of laughter.
Mrs. Kim Hyekyung and Mrs. Janja Lula da Silva, wife of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are looking at silk fabric together at a hanbok shop in Gwangjang Market, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. (Photo by the Blue House) Yonhap News
At the accessory shop they visited next, Kim chose a binyeo, a hairpin, and a norigae in the same design but in different colors to add a symbolic meaning of friendship, while selecting identical rings. As they left the accessory shop, when Janja asked whether she often comes to Gwangjang Market, Kim replied, "I try to visit not only Gwangjang Market but also traditional markets across the country as often as I can."
As the two first ladies strolled through the market chatting, merchants and citizens welcomed them with applause and cheers, and the two responded by waving. They stayed at Gwangjang Market for about an hour before departing.
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