The Cheongchuninmun Nonjangpan (청춘인문 논장판), or “Exploring Korean Humanities Together,” a yearly series of performances and competitions where groups of university students from around the world gather together to talk about ways to globalize Korean traditions, wrapped up on July 5 with the announcement of the winners.
The competition grouped college students from across Asia, Europe, North America and elsewhere with Korean students, allowing them to prepare presentations under the theme of “Rediscovering Korean Traditions.”
Among the 50 competitors and 13 teams, Team Ttelight (떼라이트) came in first, with a prize of KRW 10 million, for its skit “Pungmulnori Meets the World.” The team consisted of one Korean, Park Ji-yoon, one Russian, Marina Chuvakova, one Japanese, Nakamura Yuka, all from Yonsei University, and, lastly, Twining Lyndsey, an American student at the Academy of Korean Studies. The four-member team summed up the charms of pungmulnori, a genre of percussion-based folk music, with three concepts -- diversity, a sense of togetherness and unity -- winning the highest prize.
“I had some difficulties communicating with other members in a different language and of different nationalities, but it was really interesting and rewarding to get to hear in person opinions and thoughts from other Asian and Western friends,” said the Japanese member.
Team Jiphyeonjeon (집현전), made up of two Korean and two Brazilian students, was the runner-up for its presentation about Korean food. The team garnered much applause from the audience as in its skit it introduced some delicious Korean food items, such as bibimbap and bulgogi, as well as many kinds of healthy traditional teas.
“I hope this would be a chance for other people from around the world to learn more about Korean traditions and about Korea through us and our research,” said Brazilian Rafael Milliati Ramalho, who is currently studying for a master’s in development and cooperation with North Korea at Chung-Ang University.
Two third prizes worth KRW 3 million each went to Team Flame Blossom (플레임 블라썸), consisting of two Koreans, one Chinese and one German, and to Team Secrete Move (은밀한 무브), made up of students from Korea, Congo, Tanzania and Mongolia.
Two other teams jointly came in fourth place. Team Danmi (단미), made up of Korean and Chinese students, focused on Korean demons and goblins, known as dokkaebi (도깨비) in Korean, and Team Descendants of Obangsaek (오방색), consisting of Korean, Russian and Canadian students, shed new light on Korea's five traditional colors, known as obangsaek.
“The three months that you all invested in researching Korean traditions will surely become one of your most precious, unforgettable memories of your life,” said Korean Culture and Information Service Director Kim Kabsoo. “In that sense, the time was really meaningful, as young people today can rediscover Korean traditions and, also, communicate with their friends from different cultures,” the director said.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer, reporting from Yangpyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Photographer
jiae5853@korea.kr
The competition grouped college students from across Asia, Europe, North America and elsewhere with Korean students, allowing them to prepare presentations under the theme of “Rediscovering Korean Traditions.”
Director of the Korean Culture and Information Service Kim Kabsoo (left) poses for a photo with members of Team Ttelight which won the grand prize in the Cheongchuninmun Nonjangpan competition on July 5.
Among the 50 competitors and 13 teams, Team Ttelight (떼라이트) came in first, with a prize of KRW 10 million, for its skit “Pungmulnori Meets the World.” The team consisted of one Korean, Park Ji-yoon, one Russian, Marina Chuvakova, one Japanese, Nakamura Yuka, all from Yonsei University, and, lastly, Twining Lyndsey, an American student at the Academy of Korean Studies. The four-member team summed up the charms of pungmulnori, a genre of percussion-based folk music, with three concepts -- diversity, a sense of togetherness and unity -- winning the highest prize.
“I had some difficulties communicating with other members in a different language and of different nationalities, but it was really interesting and rewarding to get to hear in person opinions and thoughts from other Asian and Western friends,” said the Japanese member.
Team Ttelight, comprising of college and graduate students from Korea, Russia, the U.S. and Japan, enjoys the honor of wining the grand prize in the Cheongchuninmun Nonjangpan competition on July 5.
Team Jiphyeonjeon (집현전), made up of two Korean and two Brazilian students, was the runner-up for its presentation about Korean food. The team garnered much applause from the audience as in its skit it introduced some delicious Korean food items, such as bibimbap and bulgogi, as well as many kinds of healthy traditional teas.
“I hope this would be a chance for other people from around the world to learn more about Korean traditions and about Korea through us and our research,” said Brazilian Rafael Milliati Ramalho, who is currently studying for a master’s in development and cooperation with North Korea at Chung-Ang University.
Two third prizes worth KRW 3 million each went to Team Flame Blossom (플레임 블라썸), consisting of two Koreans, one Chinese and one German, and to Team Secrete Move (은밀한 무브), made up of students from Korea, Congo, Tanzania and Mongolia.
Director of the Korean Culture and Information Service Kim Kabsoo (left) poses for a photo with members of the runner-up team Jiphyeonjeon in the Cheongchuninmun Nonjangpan competition on July 5.
Two other teams jointly came in fourth place. Team Danmi (단미), made up of Korean and Chinese students, focused on Korean demons and goblins, known as dokkaebi (도깨비) in Korean, and Team Descendants of Obangsaek (오방색), consisting of Korean, Russian and Canadian students, shed new light on Korea's five traditional colors, known as obangsaek.
“The three months that you all invested in researching Korean traditions will surely become one of your most precious, unforgettable memories of your life,” said Korean Culture and Information Service Director Kim Kabsoo. “In that sense, the time was really meaningful, as young people today can rediscover Korean traditions and, also, communicate with their friends from different cultures,” the director said.
Participants in the Cheongchuninmun Nonjangpan competition pose for a group photo following the award ceremony on July 5.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer, reporting from Yangpyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Photographer
jiae5853@korea.kr