BOOK MORNING PROJECT: Starting the day with Reading and Self-directed Learning

By Dahyun Kang, Bugil Girls’ High SchoolAt Bugil Girls’ High School, students who apply for the “Book Morning Project” begin their mornings with books and self-directed study before classes start. The program is divided into two parts. Students participate in the reading session at the library, where they spend time reading books in a quiet atmosphere. During the book session, students choose books they are interested in, and the principal reads together with the students.For self-directed learning, students study independently at a study cafe while preparing for the day ahead. During the self-directed learning session, the vice principal participates with students as they study subjects they prepared by themselves. Through these activities, students can develop better study habits.The Book Morning Project is especially helpful for improving concentration. In today’s environment, students are easily distracted by smartphones and social media, but spending quiet time with books or study materials in the morning helps them organize their thoughts and focus better before class. Many participants and teachers say that students become more engaged in class after joining the project.Kim Seo-ha, who participated in the Book Morning Project, said, “I usually don’t have much time to read books, but it was nice to be able to build background knowledge and clear my head from studying as I now have time to read books in the morning.”Bugil Girls’ Academy continues to support students so that reading and self-directed learning can become part of their daily lives. The school hopes students will grow into independent learners who continue learning beyond school exams. In conclusion, the Book Morning Project helps students build concentration, responsibility, and deeper thinking skills and allows students to break away from the fast-paced school life and social media distractions.

Passion and Energy at the Ullim Festival

By Shin-hye Kang, Kongju National University High SchoolWhy did this year’s Ullim Festival become one of the most unforgettable school events for students?Last May, Gongju National University High School held the “Ullim Festival,” a school event full of students’ passion and teamwork. The festival gave students a chance to take a break from their busy school life and enjoy time with their friends and classmates. All around the school, students cheered for one another and enjoyed the lively atmosphere together. This year’s Ullim Festival attracted attention as it included not only sports games but also creative business booths and student council activities. More than just a competition, the festival became a meaningful time for students to encourage one another and create lasting memories.The Ullim Festival had many different sports events, such as boys’ soccer, girls’ futsal, boys’ basketball, relay races, and the 50-meter sprint. Among them, the boys’ soccer was especially exciting because each class tried hard to win for their classmates. Students gathered around the field and cheered loudly during the matches, making the atmosphere even more energetic. The girls’ dodgeball and futsal games also caught many students’ attention due to the players’ quick movements and teamwork. However, the relay race, often called the highlight of a school sports festival, brought the excitement to its peak. Every time the runners passed the baton and ran forward, loud cheers filled the field. When the last runner headed toward the finish line, everyone focused on the race. No matter which class won, students celebrated together and encouraged each other, showing true teamwork and sportsmanship. In addition, on the first night of the festival, a special event called “Bugoin’s Night” was held for the 70th and 71st generation students. During the event, students performed dances and songs that they had prepared themselves. Their performances added even more excitement to the festival.Another popular part of the festival was the business booths organized by second-year humanities students. Each booth had creative ideas and fun activities that made the festival more enjoyable. The “Seongwon Land” booth became popular with its balloon-popping game and tarot lemonade drinks. At the “Mind Vegetable Store” booth, students could make perfumes and buy glow sticks and bracelets. The “BUGO 101” booth sold teacher-themed goods such as badges, photo cards, and fans, which made many students laugh and enjoy the booth. The “Team Yul” booth also attracted many students with arcade games, betting activities, and prize exchanges. In addition, the student council prepared several activity booths, including a no-smoking campaign booth with quizzes, water balloon games, limbo games, face-painting tattoos, and a polaroid photo booth. These activities gave students more chances to enjoy the festival with their friends and make fun memories together. The cheerful atmosphere and laughter heard around the school made the Ullim Festival even more special.also in running booths and performing on stage, which made the festival more meaningful. This year’s Ullim Festival successfully brought together sports games, performances, and student activities into one exciting school event. Students actively participated not only in the games but Through sports competitions, business booths, and events like “Bugoin’s Night,” students were able to communicate with one another and show their talents freely. The cheers and excitement that filled the school during the festival showed the strong unity and energy of the students. The Ullim Festival ended successfully with active participation from many students, and it will be remembered as one of the most exciting and meaningful school events at Gongju National University High School.

A Perfect Store for Us

By Kim-Seo hyun, Gyeryong High SchoolWhat if you could buy fresh food while also supporting local farmers and helping your community? Surprisingly, these kinds of stores can be found nearby.Local food refers to agricultural products produced in local communities without long-distance transportation or complicated distribution processes. Fortunately, Gyeryong in Chungcheongnam-do also has its own local food store.There are three major advantages to consuming local food products. Firstly, shorter transportation distances allow consumers to buy fresher products while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Secondly, local food sales help increase farmers’ income and support farming families. Thirdly, it helps strengthen the local economy.These can be enough reasons to use a local food store, but there are even more benefits that can be discovered in person. Nonsan-Gyeryong NH invested and established the Nonsan-Gyeryong NH Gyeryong Local Food Center in 2019. At the entrance, the safety examination certificates of producer farms are exhibited. This helps consumers trust the quality and safety of the products.Inside the store, lots of fresh agricultural products are displayed along the path. The good thing is, people can purchase many products in season at reasonable, or even very low prices. For instance, strawberries in the local food store are being sold inexpensively. Sometimes they are more than 50% cheaper than strawberries in Seoul. “The price for green onion, lettuce and mushrooms doesn’t change dramatically, and other products are also very cheap.” said the regular customer of the local food store. The store also sells officially certified “6th industry” products. The term “6th industry” refers to combining agriculture, manufacturing, and services to create added value.A number of advantages come from consuming local foods and the local food store in our region has some merits of its own. Visiting a local food store can be a meaningful way to support local farmers, protect the environment, and strengthen the community.

Asan’s Three Hot Springs Wellness Festival: Warmth and Relaxation

By Si-hyeon Park, Seolhwa High SchoolAsan's Three Hot Springs Wellness Festival was hosted this spring, offering locals and tourists a relaxing and memorable experience. The festival took place from the 30th of April to the 3rd of May, operating daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Onyangoncheon Station and the foot bath experience area. Asan's hot spring water, one of the city's most valuable cultural assets, helped visitors relieve physical and mental fatigue while enjoying a relaxing experience.Asan has long been recognized as one of Korea's representative spa cities, renowned for three major hot springs: Onyang, Dogo, and Asan Hot Springs. Among them, Onyang Hot Springs, known for its rich history and long-standing reputation, continues to attract countless visitors each year. This festival reinterpreted Asan's hot spring culture as a modern hands-on experience that people of all ages could enjoy.A highlight of the festival was the hot spring foot bath experience, where participants could soak their feet in warm mineral water and take a break from the fast pace of everyday life. Bathed in gentle sunlight, visitors appreciated a cozy, comfortable atmosphere.Additionally, the festival featured hot-spring water slides and water-play zones, which continuously drew families and children to the venue. Children enjoyed playing in the warm, hot spring water, while parents rested in nearby areas. More than simply experiencing hot springs, the festival was praised for creating an interactive space where the families could come together and share pleasant experiences.Throughout the event, the festival grounds remained vibrant with both local citizens and tourists. Nearby shops and food booths were also filled with visitors, contributing to the local economy and adding to the festive atmosphere. One visitor remarked, "I truly enjoyed the wide variety of activities in the booths and was able to appreciate the unique charm of Asan fully."Asan's Three Hot Springs Wellness Festival became more than just a local event, serving as an opportunity to show the appeal of Asan. Even after the festival ended, the festival left a memorable impression on visitors.

Onyang Girls’ High School Wins Major Awards at Theatre Festival!

By Amina Akverdieva, Onyang Girls’ High SchoolAt the Chungnam Student Theatre Festival, Onyang Girls’ High School demonstrated outstanding talent and achieved impressive success!At the 27th Chungnam Student Theatre Festival in Asan, Onyang Girls’ High School’s theatre club “Amang” won the Superintendent of Education Award for its original performance “When the Last Bell Rings.”In the performance, a terminally ill teacher asks students an important question: How should we spend the final moments of our lives? Meanwhile, the students try to find their own answers to that question. The emotional depth and serious message of the performance received praise from the judges and the audience. The special education class also received the District Office of Education Award for its performance of “The New Tale of Byeoljubu,” a modern interpretation of a traditional Korean folktale. Their hard work and enthusiasm impressed the audience just as much as the theatre club’s performance did.In addition, Onyang Girls’ high school received both the Superintendent of Education Award and the District Office of Education Award in the group category at the same time. Furthermore, six students from “Amang” and “Special Education group” were individually recognized for their acting skills. O Bun Son and Nam Mi He, who guided the students in preparing for the performance, also received commendations from the Superintendent of Education for their contributions to the students’ achievements!The theatre club “Amang” is one of the school’s most respected art clubs and has a history of more than 30 years. The director said that he was proud of the students who participated in the performance despite their busy school schedules. He also expressed hope that they would continue to pursue their dreams and develop communication skills through theatre activities.Overall, the festival became an important and meaningful event for everyone, allowing them to express their creativity, build confidence and share important messages through performances.

More Than Just Mentors: The Vibrant Launch of 'Doran-Doran'

By A-jin Im, Bugil Girls’ High SchoolLaughter filled Bugil Girls' High School this March as the 29th Student Council launched 'Doran-Doran.' This senior-junior exchange program featured various games to help 1st-graders adjust, successfully bridging the gap between students and building a genuine, supportive sisterhood.The 'Doran-Doran' program was organized by the 29th Student Council, with many departments like planning, welfare, and public relations working together as one team. Their mission was simple: to make a supportive network where no one feels left out. Since high school can feel pretty overwhelming for freshmen, the council planned a month-long schedule that combined fun activities with helpful mentoring.It all started on March 23rd with an Orientation session. Instead of just sitting and talking, students participated in team-building games. Seniors and juniors were paired up to finish team challenges, which really helped break the ice. Freshmen found a comfortable space to ask lingering questions, while sophomores developed their leadership and mentoring skills.On March 30th, the program moved on to the 'Ask Me Anything' session. During the session, seniors shared study tips and advice about school life.One freshman said, "I was so stressed about all the homework, but my mentor showed me how she manages her time. Now, I feel like I have a real older sister I can lean on."As April came, the activities got even more creative. On April 6th, we had the 'Bugil Gourmet' and 'Mystery Box' events. These activities were all about teamwork and cooperation, as students had to solve puzzles together. Finally, on April 13th, the student council decorated the 'Sisterhood News Zone.' Students displayed photos and letters on the hallway board to remember all the good times we had.The 'Doran-Doran' program is much more than just four meetings. By providing students with opportunities to communicate and connect, Bugil Girls' High School is making a campus where everyone feels like they belong. Our Student Council Vice President, Bang Eun-bi, said that the goal wasn't just to have a one-time event, but to build a kinder and more connected school for everyone.Now that the cherry blossoms are blooming, 'Doran-Doran' reminds students that while grades are important, the friendships they make are what really make high school special. Even though the spring session is over, the school community is excited to see how these new friendships will grow for the rest of the year.

Why do schools hold sports days and festivals?

By Ji-min Lim, Gongju Geumsung Girls’ High SchoolSports days and school festivals have many positive effects on students, but what are those effects?Many middle schools and high schools hold sports days and festivals from May to June. Gongju Geumseong Girls' High School is one of them. During the sports day, students from different grades form teams based on their class numbers. For example, students from Class 1 in each grade work together as one team. The events at the sports day include volleyball, tug-of-war, and relay races. At the school festival, each class plans activities and encourages other students to participate. They sell food and organize activities such as slime-making booths. But why are these events important for school?Schools hold sports days and festivals not just for fun, but also for their educational value. The main reason is to develop cooperation and a sense of community among students. Schools are not only places for academic learning but also communities where students develop social skills. Students preparing for team events develop teamwork skills and a sense of belonging through communication with classmates. In this process, they also learn how to handle conflicts and mediate differences of opinion when disagreements arise. Furthermore, these events help students discover talents that may not appear in regular classroom lessons. Students who excel in sports or have talents in planning and the arts can fully demonstrate their abilities through festivals and sports days, experiencing the joy of showcasing their skills. This can give students confidence and hope that they are capable of achieving their goals.In summary, school festivals and sports days are an essential part of our education. These events help transform schools from places of competition to communities of cooperation. Through these activities, students learn the importance of teamwork and community. In the end, the lessons learned through sports days and festivals can be just as valuable as those learned in the classroom.

Handwritten Letters from the Heart

By Hye-won Ryu, Cheonan Sindang High SchoolAt Cheonan Sindang High School, there was an event where students could write letters to the teachers they were grateful to in celebration of Teachers’ Day.At Cheonan Singdang High School, a special event was held to celebrate Teachers’ Day, where students wrote handwritten letters to the teachers they were grateful to. This event was organized for students to express their gratitude to their teachers and share the warm bond between teachers and students. In an era where communication through digital devices has become commonplace, it was a meaningful time for students to reflect on the significance of Teachers’ Day by conveying their feelings through handwritten messages.The event was held during in-school extracurricular activities and breaks, and students wrote letters not only to their homeroom teachers but also to other teachers who had helped them. The letters contained heartfelt messages such as, “Thank you for always cheering me on,” “Your warm words gave me great strength when I was having a hard time,” and “Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy my school life.”The students spent a meaningful time conveying, through these letters, the gratitude they had previously been too shy to express. In particular, the students said that writing letters by hand served as an opportunity to recall memories with their teachers and to reflect once again on the help and teaching they received during their school life. One student who participated in the event shared their thoughts, saying, “I usually don’t have many opportunities to say thank you but I was glad to be able to convey my sincerity through this event.” and added, “I hope my teacher will be happy to read the letter.”The teachers who received the letters also stated that they were deeply moved by the students’ warm hearts. One teacher said, “Reading the handwritten letters from the students gave me a great sense of fulfillment,” adding, “It made me realize that as a teacher, I should guide my students with even more sincerity.” Another teacher conveyed, “Even though the writing was short, I could feel the students’ sincerity, making it very meaningful.”The school explained that this event is significant in that it goes beyond a simple occasion to foster a culture of gratitude and respect. An official stated, “We hope that students will express their gratitude to their teachers through handwritten letters, thereby creating a school atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect,” adding, “We plan to continue various activities that allow students and teachers to connect with one another.”This Teachers' Day event served as an opportunity for students and teachers to once again feel the importance of one another, and concluded as a meaningful school cultural activity filled with warmth.

Cheonan, Heart of Independence Spirit, Moves to Center of Global Culture

By Ye-won Jo, Cheonan Sindang High SchoolCheonan, a city with a proud history of Korea’s independence, is now growing into an exciting place for K-culture around the world.city as it is home to the birthplace of Yu Gwan-sun and the Independence Hall of Korea. During the dark period of Japanese colonial rule, Yu Gwan-sun bravely cried out for Korea’s independence, creating her legacy, which still remains in Cheonan today, alongside the Independence Hall of Korea which shows the painful history and strong spirit of the Korean people.These historical places are not simply tourist attractions or memories of the past. They give local people pride and allow visitors to feel the history of Korea’s independence movement. At the same time, they connect the past, present, and future of Korean culture. Recently, a special change has been taking place in Cheonan. The city is combining its traditional history with modern K-culture. This has resulted in Cheonan becoming more than just a city that remembers history, as it now grows intoa global city that creates new Korean culture.At the center of this cultural change is the Cheonan K-Culture Expo, which is held at the Independence Hall of Korea. This event is a bold and fresh attempt at creating a new name for the city, as it transforms from an event once known mainly for education and remembrance into a lively cultural festival enjoyed by people from all over the world. The expo introduces many parts of Korean culture, such as K-pop, K-food, and K-beauty. Visitors can enjoy exciting performances and various experience booths. However, what makes this festival truly special is the meaning of the place itself. Enjoying modern Korean culture in a place filled with the spirit of Korea’s independence sends a powerful message to the world. It shows how Korea overcame the pain of colonization and became a country that now leads global cultural trends.In the end, the Cheonan K-Culture Expo is not just a simple festival. It connects the past, present, and future of Korean culture in a place filled with the history of Korean independence, leaving visitors with a deep and meaningful impression. In particular, this event gives local teenagers new opportunities and pride. Through cultural programs and club activities related to the expo, students are no longer just consumers of culture. Instead, they are becoming creators who introduce the history and culture of their city to the world. Teenagers in Cheonan are growing up with both historical pride and global communication skills, and they are one of the most valuable results of this change.It is rare to find a city where traditional history and modern global culture are combined so beautifully. Watching people of all ages from around the world enjoy Korean culture together makes me excited for Cheonan’s future. Cheonan’s challenge to move toward the future while remembering its history has only just begun.

Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way

By He-yeong Chung, Onyang Girls’ High SchoolBehind every achievement in sports are countless hours of practice, patience, and effort. This article explores the challenges and passion of a student pursuing a dream through jiu-jitsu.Everyone has a different dream for their future. Many students in Korea study hard to enter good universities and get stable jobs. However, some students try to find and improve their own talents instead of only focusing on studying. In particular, students in arts or sports need a lot of practice and patience to achieve their goals. Because of this, the experiences of these students can be meaningful and helpful to others. For this article, I interviewed Ga Ye-seul and learned about her efforts and experiences in the sports field. Like people often say, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”After visiting a gym with her brother and developing an interest in the sport, she began practicing jiu-jitsu. In the beginning, it was hard for her because there were not many friends her age, and she sometimes felt the strength difference between male and female students. Even with those difficulties, she kept training and slowly became more confident. She practices every day from 5 p.m. in the afternoon to 9 p.m. at night. During training, she does muscle exercises and practices different techniques. Due to this hard routine, she has been able to improve step by step.Before competitions, she also needs to control her weight. Sometimes she does not eat dinner and only eats healthy food while continuing to practice. She said that weight control before matches is one of the hardest parts of jiu-jitsu. However, for her, the saddest moments are when she works hard for a competition and still does not get good results. At times, she felt stressed and lost confidence, but even then, she did not quit. Instead, she practiced more and continued moving forward little by little.At the end of the interview, she said that even if someone starts later than others, they can still catch up if they continue to work hard in sports. She also said that life is long, so people should try the things they truly want to do. There are probably many students around us who cannot choose a sports career because of their parents’ opinions. Some students may also feel afraid to start because they think it is already too late. However, in writing this article, we hope that Ga Ye-seul’s story can give courage to those students and help them move toward the future they really want. Lastly, I would like to thank Ga Ye-seul for taking part in this interview.

Designing the Future: A Look into Taean High School’s "Career Discovery Day"

By Seung-hyun Oh, Taean High SchoolOn Monday afternoon, May 11th, the quiet hallways of Taean High School were replaced with the excited voices of students asking questions about their future.The school held a special event called "Career Discovery Day" to help students design their career paths and follow their dreams. Instead of just reading from textbooks, students had a great chance to learn from professors and experts about real-world jobs.11 Different Classes for Every DreamTo meet the interests of many students, the school offered 11 different classes. There was a wide variety of choices: "Stocks? You Can Do It Too" for those interested in the economy, "UAM and Avionics" for future transportation fans, and "What is an Emergency Medical Technician?" for the healthcare field. Other popular classes included "Becoming Creative with AI and Big Data" and "Career Exploration in Public Administration."Learning the Secrets of AII attended the lecture titled "Becoming Creative with AI and Big Data," taught by Mentor Noh Hak-kyun from Daejeon University. In this class, I learned the basic principles of Artificial Intelligence. We discussed the differences between rule-based learning and data-driven learning. I also learned about difficult concepts like linear regression and logistic regression in a way that was easy to understand.We even looked at "perceptrons" and "CNN models," which are used in deep learning. It was interesting to see that being an AI expert requires not just coding skills, but also strong math, logic, and thinking skills. For example, the mentor explained how AI finds the best "ways" to reduce errors, just like analyzing a stock market graph. This showed me how AI and big data can be used in many different fields, including the economy.A Roadmap for the FutureMany students said this event helped them answer the old question: "Why do we have to study?" By seeing how school subjects are used in the real world, students could make their goals clearer. Most participants were very happy with the classes and said meeting experts was a big help for their future plans. We hope the school continues to provide these great programs so that students can find their talents and move toward their dreams with confidence.

Unique Experiential Learning at Hapduk High School

By Bo-hyeon Kang, Hapduk High SchoolHapduk High School, located in Hapduk-eup, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do, is drawing attention for operating a special cultural experience program for its students. Recently, the school conducted a teacher-student Reading and Humanities Trip after surveying students who wished to participate.Hapduk High School has a unique characteristic that sets it apart from other schools: its student population is very small. Because of this feature, students are able to participate in a variety of activities that are difficult to experience at larger schools. One example is the school’s Reading and Humanities Trip program.The Reading and Humanities Trip, held on May 16, 2026, included a visit to the Yoon Dong-ju Literature Museum as well as a docent program and free viewing at the Whanki Museum. First, students arrived at the Yoon Dong-ju Literature Museum, where they listened to explanations from a curator while learning about the life and literary world of Yoon Dong-ju. Second, after viewing the exhibition, the students spent time walking around the area surrounding the museum and enjoying a relaxed atmosphere together. Third, after having lunch, the students and teachers spent time at a nearby cafe, where they were able to relax and enjoy their free time. During the break, students and teachers reportedly spent time freely talking together and growing closer.The students later moved to the Whanki Museum, where they participated in the docent program and free viewing session. Through the docent program, students were able to gain a deeper understanding of the meanings behind the artworks and the artist’s methods of expression. During the free viewing session, students freely explored works that interested them and experienced various forms of cultural and artistic activities. The schedule concluded with a group photo and a final attendance check. A second-year student surnamed Son who participated in the trip, said, “I usually do not have many chances to visit art museums or literature museums, so it was nice to see various artworks and exhibitions with my friends,” adding, “It was also a meaningful time because I was able to become closer to my teachers while traveling and talking together.”These experiences provided Hapduk High School students, who have relatively limited opportunities for cultural experiences due to the regional characteristics of Hapduk, with chances to experience a variety of cultures firsthand. The program also served as a meaningful opportunity to strengthen the bond between teachers and students through the teacher-student trip. In particular, although Dangjin is known as one of the regions in Chungcheongnam-do with a high birth rate, there are also opinions that facilities, systems, and activities through which students can experience diverse cultural activities remain relatively insufficient. In response, Hapduk High School stated that it has been planning and operating various programs so that students can experience different cultural and artistic activities beyond regional limitations. In addition, approximately 20 percent of the school’s students expressed interest in participating in the program. In a satisfaction survey conducted after the trip, 95 percent of participants expressed high satisfaction, while the remaining 5 percent said they were disappointed by the hot weather.Hapduk High School continues to reflect students’ opinions through satisfaction surveys conducted after each program. By reviewing not only students’ satisfaction but also aspects they found disappointing, the school is striving to provide students with more diverse activities and even better experiences in the future.

Crowds Flock to Dangjin’s Janggo Port Silchi Festival

By An Kyum-ju, Hapduk High SchoolDo you know about the Silchi Festival in Dangjin?The Silchi Festival is held at Janggo Port in Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do, attracting many tourists as a representative local spring festival. The festival is held every spring during the peak silchi season and runs for two days over the weekend. It is popular for its variety of food and hands-on experience programs, with hundreds of thousands of visitors coming from all over the country.The name ‘Silchi’ refers to a small transparent fish before it grows into an adult. It is considered a rare delicacy that can only be enjoyed locally because it has a soft, clear body and quickly dies once it is taken out of the water. As a seasonal food available only in spring, the Silchi Festival at Janggo Port in Dangjin is especially popular during this time. Foods that can be enjoyed at the Silchi Festival include silchi-hoe (raw silchi salad), silchi-guk (silchi soup), silchi-bibimbap (bibimbap with raw silchi), and silchi-jeon (Korean-style silchi pancake). The festival also offers various activities for visitors such as bare-handed fishing experiences, making silchi dishes, seafood auctions, and performances by guest singers.At the Silchi Festival, held from May 2nd to 3rd, 2026, another highlight was the “2026 Dancing Stage in Dangjin”. While the main competition took place over that weekend, the preliminary rounds of the dancing competition continued every Saturday from May 2nd to June 13th. The opening competition took place at 8 p.m. on May 2nd at Janggo Port, and the city believes that such events help promote local tourism while providing richer entertainment through collaboration with regional festivals. A city official said, “This event is meaningful because citizens and tourists can directly participate in the contest through on-site voting. We hope for active interest and participation.”As such, the Silchi Festival is a special local food festival featuring delicacies that can only be enjoyed locally, offering visitors a pleasant experience by gradually updating its programs each year. The Janggo Port Silchi Festival Promotion Committee is preparing various experience programs and developing travel courses connected to nearby tourist attractions so that visitors can enjoy both the festival atmosphere and experiential tourism at the same time.

When History Became a Playground: Hongseong’s Festival for Families and Children

By Jung-hoon Lee, Hongseong High SchoolHistory does not always have to stay in textbooks. During the holiday weekend, Hongseong became a place where people could enjoy history through festivals, activities, and Children’s Day events.Hongseong Historical Figures Festival, held on May 2 to 3, has various educational and entertaining activities for families and children. The festival caught the attention of many parents as an event to spend a meaningful Children’s Day. The programs consisted of traditional games utilizing royal-themed decorations and props, old stories turned into songs, and many other activities, including calligraphy and archery.While these programs had the purpose of going back to history, the festival succeeded in engaging people with history in a fun way. Along with these goals were family-friendly performances and parades that entertained the audience and promoted local culture. Through various supporting events, such as history book exhibitions and contests, the Hongseong Historical Figures Festival addresses what history looks like to children and how students perceive history. Besides moving away from the oversized events of the past, this year’s festival shifted its focus to hands-on experiences featuring authentic local flavors and products.A major function of the festival was for fun, but in addition, people learned more about the town of Hongseong, its culture, and its history through simple, cultural activities and programs. And for many children and their families, it was an opportunity to have a good time during their holiday season while learning about their traditional culture in a new way.The 104th Children’s Day Grand Festival recently concluded at the Hongseong County Office and Hanok Village, featuring various programs centered around Hongseong's historical icons from the Goryeo and Joseon eras. If you missed out this time, make sure to put it on your calendar for next year.

East Asian Festival Held at Hongseong High School

By Tae-il Ju, Hongseong High SchoolIt was the best festival where students and teachers could fully immerse themselves in and enjoy the diverse cultures of East Asia.On May 12th, Hongseong High School in Hongseong-gun held its highly anticipated East Asia Festival. The event was designed to promote cultural diversity and global awareness among students in a fun, interactive way. At the event, various traditional costumes from East Asia and the clothes of popular characters from cartoons, animations, dramas, and movies were available for everyone to try on.The main highlight of the festival was the popular "Four-cut photo booth." Participants could wear traditional Korean clothes, such as hanbok and gonryongpo (which were worn by the kings of Korea in the past). For those interested in neighboring cultures, traditional garments such as Japanese kimonos, Chinese qipao, hanfu, and yuanlingpao were also prepared. To complete the look and make the experience even more authentic, they could also wear a variety of accessories, including hats, fans, wigs, geta (traditional Japanese sandals), and wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrella). Modern items like sunglasses were also placed in the photo zone, allowing students to create unique and humorous poses.Although most of the students were initially unfamiliar with the event, it elicited an overwhelmingly positive response from most participants. "I never thought the school would have such an interesting event," said Kim Ye-chan, a first-year student. "It was nice to be able to try on foreign clothes that I had only seen in the media and enjoy them with my friends. I want to have more events like this next time, and I definitely intend to participate."In the era of globalization, experiencing other cultures indirectly with such fun and interest provides students with a valuable global perspective. The event began at 1:00 p.m. on May 12th and lasted until May 13th at the Central Hall on the first floor, which was bustling with excitement throughout the two days. Not only regular students but also teachers and native-speaking teachers actively participated in the event, leaving unforgettable memories with the students and strengthening the school community.