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Now people in Surabaya will have an easier and cheaper access to learn more about the language and culture of South Korea. KT&G – WM’s Sang Sang Univ Korean Language Center, is officially opened with an Open House event on Friday, February 28, 2020. Sang Sang Univ is the result of a cooperation between KT&G, through BBB Korea, and Widya Mandala Language Institute (WMLI), which aims to become a bridge between the languages and cultures of South Korea and Indonesia.
The Open House event was opened not only for students of Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University (WMSCU), but also for all Surabaya people who have an interest in Korean language and culture. “Through this event, visitors can participate in various traditional and modern games originating from Korea. In addition, visitors can also feel the excitement of wearing traditional Korean clothing, commonly called Hanbok,” explained Vincentia SHS as the Head of WMLI.
The event took place that morning at the 5th floor of Graha Widya Mandala building and was divided into three rooms. The first room was the Hanbok Room or the room to try Hanbok, Korean traditional clothes. Visitors could try on various models of Hanbok clothes and pose using some decorations. Mea Ansga, a WMSCU Vocational Faculty student, said that she was happy to be able to wear and take pictures wearing a Hanbok. “Korea is unique and Hanbok clothes are also unique because the style of clothes are layered,” she said.
Special food from this country, which is known for its ginseng, was also available at this event, so visitors could feel the Korean vibes. Free Korean tteokbokki or rice cakes with spicy sauce were available in the Snack Room, accompanied by Korean Pop or K-Pop songs and videos. Finally there was a Game Room where visitors could play three games, namely yut nori (stick game), ddakji (the game of slamming our cards against opponents’ cards), and hangul board game (Korean alphabet game board).
The yut nori game itself is one of the ancient games in Korea that can be played by four people. The way to play is to throw four wooden sticks with plain or round flat sides. “The ddakji game is played by two or more people. The method is by throwing a piece of paper that has been folded into a small card. Then there is also a hangul board game is a game to write hangul or Korean characters quickly,” explained Ivan Albert, one of the students of the International Business Management Program (IBM) as one of the volunteers.
Visitors were also able to register directly for a Korean language class while visiting the Open House. The first Korean language class will start on March 2, 2020. “Various advantages and conveniences are located in our tutoring place, affordable prices, strategic location in the city center, as well as native instructors from Korea,” said Danica Suradja as the Director of KT&G – WM’s Sang Sang Univ Korean Language Center. Danica hopes that with the Open House, the people of Surabaya will have easier access to Korean language lessons.
