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WLE Newsletter - Spring 2006
Inside this edition:
 Student Activity – First Color of Spring: Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival
WLE Guided Tour – Gyeongbok Palace & The National Folk Museum
Student Activity – Hi Seoul Festival
WLE Weekend Excursion – Naksan Temple
Social Night – Watching The World Cup at Gwanghwamoon
Student Interview – Esther Tak
| First color of spring: Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival |
| One mild spring day in April, WLE Korean students gathered to go to the Yeouido Cherry blossom festival.
Yeouido is a man-made island in Han River and is known as Korea’s "Manhattan". It is 3km long and 2 km wide, with pleasant parks and high-rise buildings including the gold-tinted 63-floor building and the headquarters of many media, finance, insurance companies and diversified business interests. The Stock Exchange and the National Assembly Buildings are also on the island.
The Han River and Yeouido Park are the most popular places for Koreans to spend their weekends. In the middle of April, the Cherry Blossom Festival brings millions of people here from all over the country.
There are about 1,400 Cherry Blossom trees on the main street, Yunjung-ro, as well as many golden-bell trees, azaleas, white magnolias, and spring flowers.
Of course there were already many people by the time we arrived there, but the big crowds could not stop us from taking photos and capturing the First Colors of Spring in Seoul.
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| Irene (England), Lorraine (Singapore) in front of Hundreds of Cherry Blossom trees in Yeouido |
It was Lorraine's first time seeing the Cherry Blossom trees! |
Cherry blossom festival lasts until nightfall |
At the end of the main Cherry blossom street, we followed the path to the Han-River Park which was a great place to rest. It was interesting to see how people spent their time there. Some of them were exercising and others were just sitting by the river and enjoying the peacefulness of the place.
We had a great time and were completely refreshed by a nice cool drink whilst enjoying the view of the Han River.
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| The peaceful Han-River Park |
That’s a 63-floor Building! |
Lorraine and Irene counting the
bridges on the river |
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| WLE Guided Tour – Gyeongbok Palace & The National Folk Museum |
| When the Chosun Dynasty (the last Dynasty of Korea) was founded, the first king moved the capital city to Seoul and built the main palace called Gyeongbokgung. It was built in 1394 and it became the main palace for the royal family.
Although today is has no political power, Gyeongbokgung has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seoul. It is located in the center of Seoul and only takes about 20 minutes to get there from KLI on foot. One fine spring day, WLE students set off to the Gyeongbok palace to take a tour.
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| With the gatekeeper, at the palace |
Jae, Esther (America), Shimada (Japan), Sofia (Canada) |
Peaceful & relaxing view of the Geongbokgung palace |
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| Korean royal flourish roof interior & decoration |
The King’s chair from the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) |
Students with the Signboard of the National folk Museum |
With the help of our guide, we were able to learn more about the history of Korea and the architectural background of the palace. One of the impressive stories was the painting technology of the Chosun period. During the Chosun Dynasty, the palace was repainted every 100 years but now with modern technology it has to be done every 20 years.
After enjoying the palace, we moved to the National Folk Museum that is located at the back of the palace. Different styles of interesting folk relics were displayed in the museum and the miniatures in traditional Korean costumes fascinated us.
In the museum grounds there was a place where we could try traditional Korean outdoor games which we all got into and had lots of fun! |
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| Many delicate miniatures show ancient time’s traditional environment |
Since the palace is so close to the school, we can come back here anytime and find out more about the palace!!
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| Sofia and Esther in Traditional wedding costumes mannequins |
Jae & Shimada taking a good look at how to use the folk game tool |
Simada & Sophia trying a Korean folk game called ‘Jegi-chagi’ |
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| WLE Weekend Excursion: Naksan Temple in Gangwondo |
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Naksan Temple is located in Yangyang, Gangwon province which is about 3 hours from Seoul by express bus. That morning when we arrived at Naksan Temple, it was cloudy, but fortunately as the day went by, the weather became better.
Naksan Temple was built by Eui-Sang Daesa (one of the greatest monks in Sinra Dynasty) in 671. Buddhists believe that it was in a small cave in Naksan where Eui-Sang Daesa studied Buddhism and was spiritually awakened. He built the Naksan Temple there where he educated his followers.
Because of its rich history, the temple itself is a very important national treasure and houses many cultural relics and rooms including Haesugwaneumsang (statue of the Buddha), and Hongyeanam (prayer room).
The most fascinating thing about the temple is the view. It faces the Donghae Sea of Korea, and is surrounded by the range of remarkable mountains called ‘Seolak’.
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| On the way to the top |
On the top, higher than the clouds |
Great View from the prayer’s room, Hongyeonam |
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Haesugwaneumsang
(Statue of the Buddha) |
2006 Spring Naksan Temple |
It took us about 2 hours to look around the temple and when we got to the main building, we met some volunteers who worked there.
Last year there was a fire in Yangyang which almost completely destroyed Naksan Temple. Buddhist volunteers came to help raise funds for the reconstruction by selling tiles to visitors which they can write a messages on. The tiles will be placed on the new roof of the temple building. We saw some messages in other languages and thought it would be a good idea to leave our mark at the temple at the same time, helping with the reconstruction as well! All of us wrote wishes on the tiles. The messages were in English, Chinese and Japanese but the meanings were all the same, wishes for our families’ happiness and well-being.
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| After the fire in 2005 |
Muzi with her wishing tile |
With Volunteers at the temple |
We had such a great time visiting the temple. All of us refreshed by the fresh air from the mountains and the sea, had another good reason to come back to the temple – to see our wishing tiles and find where they were placed! With our hearts set to return to Yangyang in the future, we headed back to Seoul. |
| WLE Special Activity – 2006 World Cup support! |
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We had heard about how exciting it was in Korea during the 2002 World Cup Games and could not wait to see and become ‘Red Devils’ – otherwise known as Korean soccer supporters!
The first game, Korea vs Togo, started at 10:00 p.m. and we headed off to Gwanghwamoon, where most Red Devils gathered. By the time we got there it was about 9:00 p.m. The main streets were blocked from the City Hall and millions of people were already there. It seemed almost impossible to sit close to the big screens as we were guided by the police to the designated seating areas.
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| Yes, we are ready for the game! |
Dae-Han-Min-Kuk! (Republic of Korea) |
After the first goal |
Pointing hands to the sky and shouting “Dae-Han-Min-Kuk,” (the basic phrase for the supporters) we shouted and supported the Korean team with all our energy. It was a very long, but exciting two hours and the Korean team and its supporters enjoyed a victory (Korea 2 : Togo 1) at the end! The Korean players played hard and well, but the Red Devils did a really impressive job of supporting them, From the back, we didn’t see any supporters leaving early or taking their eyes off the screen. It was amazing to see how all those people became one voice and how they passed their energy on between each other.
When the victory was finalized, everybody stood up and shouted "Dae-Han-Min-Kuk" again and that was the moment when all the strangers became good friends. The party reached a climax with fireworks organized by the City Council and ended after 1:00 a.m.
With all that excitement, we could not just go home and sleep so we carried our excitement to the pub near Gwanghwamoon and talked about the day’s game and further plans to support the Korean team throughout the World Cup in Germany!
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| Strangers become friends |
With new friends |
Going home victorious |
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| Student Interview – Esther Tak |
Name: Esther Tak
Country of Residence: United States
Citizenship: United States
Profession: Attorney
Educational Back Ground: College, Law School
Brief Work History: Accountant for 3 years, Attorney for 2 years
Language Spoken: English
Hobbies: Knitting, reading, shopping, watching Korean Dramas |
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Is this your first time in Korea?
No, it is my second time.
Why did you decide to study Korean Language?
For personal education.
How are you finding your studies in Korea?
I have learned a lot that I will take back with me.
How do you like Seoul?
I had an awesome time!
What do you find most interesting in Seoul?
The people, the food and the shopping!!
How has your experience in Korea changed you, if it has?
It has made me become more aware of my Korean heritage and culture.
What is the thing you like best about Seoul Korea?
I would say “SHOPPING”.
Will you come to Seoul again?
Yes, I will come back for sure.
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