Enjoy Busan
Enjoy K -Culture throughout the city
As the hot weather recedes, more relaxed mornings and breezy evenings hint that Autumn is just around the corner. September is the best month to nurture your body and mind and prepare for the fall season. Why not indulge in the calm atmosphere and experience traditional Korean cultural programs such as tea ceremonies? Busan is Good, the official English newspaper of Busan Metropolitan City, invites you to enjoy K-culture throughout the city.
The collection of hanbok at the Busan Museum features traditional clothing worn by all social classes.
A pink "jobawi" is the perfect way to cap off the hanbok outfit.
Top row: A museum guide will help you pick out the right hanbok.
Bottom row: Students learn how to properly brew and enjoy Korean tea.
■ Hanbok and tea at the Busan Museum
The Busan Museum represents Busan and embodies the history of the Republic of Korea. Since its opening in July 1978, the Busan Museum has served not only as a place for Busan citizens to rest, but also as a grand exhibition hall. Its exhibits cover the entire history of Busan, from the Paleolithic Age to modern times, through the Goryeo and the Joseon dynasties. National Treasures, including a Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva, are preserved in the Museum.
The cultural experience center, in Dongnae Hall of the museum, is where you can try traditional Korean printing techniques, participate in a Korean tea ceremony, and enjoy wearing "hanbok," traditional clothing.
Once you enter the experience center, you can try printing images on a ceramic, stone, wood or metal surface. There are two different types of printing, dry and wet. The necessary materials for wet printing can be purchased at the souvenir shop for 2,000 won.
Afterward, take part in a traditional tea ceremony. The ceremony is a 40-minute class with an instructor who explains the origin of green tea, how to brew it, and the proper manner to enjoy it. The art of brewing and drinking green tea relaxes the body and mind.
Next, try wearing traditional Korean royal court attire. The museum has a collection of costumes prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty, including the garments worn by kings and queens, royal physicians, and "uinyeo," female physicians who treated women of the royal court. You can also wear the clothing of the "yangban," the ruling class or gentry of dynastic Korea.
The museum's collection of hanbok claims over 100 pieces, from the ceremonial dress of kings and queens to the everyday attire of ordinary citizens. Pair the clothing with a variety of accessories, including the "myeonryugwan," the king's ceremonial crown; a "sat-gat," a type of woven hat featured in BTS member Suga's music video "Daechwita,"; and even "gache," wigs worn by women of high social standing. A museum guide is on hand to explain the significance of each item.
While the printing activity is open to anyone, the tea ceremony and hanbok experience require reservations, which can be made on the city's integrated reservation website. Search "부산박물관" on the site to see the available activities.
※ Busan Museum
Address: 63 UN pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and New Year's Day
Website: museum.busan.go.kr/busan
Reservations: reserve.busan.go.kr
`Jegichagi'is a game similar to hacky sack.
BTCC offers traditional cooking classes.
■ Learn traditional arts and more at the BTCC
The Busan Traditional Culture Center in Seo-gu district provides various programs and classes on Korean culture. The center, which opened in 2017, is a three-story building built in the style of "hanok," or traditional Korean house. The building received a Busan Construction Award in 2017.
The center offers regular classes, one-day experience programs and Saturday family programs. The regular classes run for 10 weeks throughout the year and feature courses on making temple food, playing the traditional stringed instrument "gayageum," and other traditional performing arts.
The one-day program offers eight classes, including tea ceremonies, traditional games, making rice cakes and traditional crafts, practicing "Taekkyeon," a traditional Korean martial art, and more.
On Saturdays, the center focuses on bringing families together, with programs offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Families can participate in activities such as playing games, making crafts and learning traditional etiquette.
During school vacation periods, the BTCC offers special lectures focused on Korea's proud heritage. This summer, students explored traditional occupations from the Joseon era.
Every program is free except classes for making temple food, rice cakes or crafts. Participants in those classes should pay for the materials or ingredients. Reservations must be made a month in advance; October sessions can be booked starting Sept. 1. For more information, visit the BTCC's official website.
※ Busan Traditional Culture Center
Address: 71 Kkonmaeul-ro 163beon-gil Seo-gu
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March to October, until 5 p.m. from November to February. Closed on Mondays, Sundays and holidays.
Website: bsjeontong.org
Inquiry: 051-240-4161∼4