Hangul is the Korean writing system created by King Sejong the Great and was promulgated to the public on October 9, 1446. This annual event included learning how to make (assemble and roll) Kimbap (followed by eating Kimbap!), and learning Korean calligraphy. Instructors Hee-Jeong Jeong and Heeyeong Jung guided the events.

The Korean language classes have a devoted following at MIT. Several students reported they got interested in Korean because of “K-drama” (tv shows made in South Korea). Rachel Leighton, for example, is in Korean V. She took Korean I and II at MIT during the year, and then spent the summer studying up, covering the material for Korean III and IV over the summer. She’s interested in Korean culture and has Korean friends. She says her MIT language classes are so much better than those she had in high school, because at MIT the emphasis is on actual communication, not just word drills. Sam Ngueyn is also in Korean V. He said he loves the classes and that the teachers are great. He hopes to apply for internships or other opportunities to spend some time in Korea.

This event is funded by MISTI-Korea and MIT Global Languages