On October 9 (Hangeul Day), the Institute for Korean Studies, along with the Bloomington Sejong Institute, hosted their annual Hangeul Day event. This observed holiday was originally created to recognize the impact the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) has had on South Korean society. Nowadays, IKS uses this day as a time to spread Korean culture and raise awareness about Hangeul.
This year, festivities started with tote bag decorating. When participants entered the event, our volunteers would teach them how to write their names in Korean while handing them a tote bag. After which participants had the opportunity to decorate their tote bags, provided by the Bloomington Sejong Institute, with their names as well as whatever their hearts desired. It was a time for their creative skills to shine. While waiting to decorate their bags, participants could grab a bite to eat from an array of Korean staples provided by the local Korea Restaurant.
After dinner was served, festivities shifted to the hallmark event of the night, the quiz. Presented by the Korean Language Program teachers, the questions were made to make participants think deeply about their knowledge of Hangeul and its history. With prizes ranging from an Apple Watch to the BTS Recipe Book, participants were putting their all into the quiz. Proudly, many of the winners were IKS’s very own Korean Language Program and Sejong students. It’s good to know that their programs are teaching them well.
Hangeul Day ended on a high note, with a raffle in which the winners could take home a tote bag of Korean snacks. With ten winners in total, there were a lot of Korean goodies to go around.
All in all, Hangeul Day was a success. The event brought in an astounding 130+ people from all different corners of campus. Participants were able to interact with peers and professors alike, bringing a wonderful atmosphere to the Hamilton Lugar atrium. Here at IKS, we are still reeling from the event and absolutely cannot wait for next year, when we get to do this all over again!
Elena Bonitz
MA in East Asian Studies (Korean Studies)
Program Assistant
Institute for Korean Studies
Indiana University Bloomington