"Korean for Travelers" Students Practice Traditional Korean Crafts

On Wednesday, April 1, the "Korean for Travelers" class integrated Korean culture in a hands-on, creative way. 

Taught by Sung Hye Yang, a Spanish instructor, the course incorporates interactive activities to give students immersive cultural experiences. "Korean for Travelers" is the second Korean course offered at the U of A. The first, "Korean ABC and Culture for Beginners," was offered in fall 2025. Both are second eight-week Special Topics courses taught by Yang, who specializes in Korean language and culture. 

Students participated in a hands-on crafting session April 1, creating small versions of irworobongdo, traditional folding screens, using paper cut into rectangular pieces. Yang explained that irworobongdo carry deep symbolism, representing prosperity and the presence of the king. 

The screens feature several key elements: the sun and moon, representing the king and queen; five peaks, symbolizing the five sacred mountains or the land; pine trees, representing loyalty and endurance; and waves, representing the people or the foundation of the nation. 

Students began by writing their favorite word in Korean before coloring, decorating and assembling their miniature screens. Yang provided yuja-cha, a Korean tea made from citrons, for students to enjoy during the activity. They also practiced polite phrases and gestures in Korean during class. 

"Korean for Travelers" will host another immersive cultural event open to the public this month: a Korean Art Song and Language Learning Experience at 3:15 p.m. on April 22 in the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio (JBHT 207). The event will begin with a lecture and interactive sing-along led by Moon-Sook Park, an associate professor of music at the U of A. 

The second half will feature another hands-on activity led by Yang: making and serving kimbap, a popular Korean dish made with rice, vegetables, cooked seafood or meat, danmuji (pickled radish) and rolled in dried seaweed. Other Korean dishes will be provided for attendees, including bulgogi, thinly sliced meat marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. 

The event is hosted by the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the Korean Foundation USA. For more information, contact Yang at sunghyey@uark.edu.