'Feel of Korea' comes to UND with drums, singing, K-pop and honey butter potato chips

The “Feel of Korea” cultural event brought both traditional and modern Korean entertainment to the UND campus on Friday, Nov. 5.

It was the first time such an event had been held in North Dakota. The all day, family-friendly experience brought plenty of attractions that not only entertained, but informed those in attendance.

From food and film to performances by the Chicago Korean Dance Company and the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago, attendees were given more than a glimpse into Korean culture and entertainment. The event drew hundreds of people who ebbed and flowed throughout the day, and included Republic of Korea Consul General Young Sok Kim, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford and other local leaders, who watched the live performances.

It’s all part of the mission of the Consulate General in Chicago, which hosted the event along with the UND Korean Culture Exchange Club, College of Arts & Sciences and International Center. The Consulate General’s office provides citizen and visa services in its 13-state jurisdiction, which includes North Dakota, but also works to enhance cultural relations between the United States, the Republic of Korea and Korean-American communities. There are 65 Korean students at UND, the majority of which study aviation.

It took an email from a UND communications department professor, who is also the faculty advisor to the Korean Culture Exchange Club, to get the ball rolling.

“This time, Professor Joonghwa Lee played a very key role in inviting us,” said Kim, who spoke to the Herald Friday morning. “The Korean club at the University of North Dakota also showed great interest in inviting us. They are our partners to cooperate with.”

Lee told UND Today that people would normally have to travel to a large city, if not the Republic of Korea, to see such professional performances.

“This is an opportunity for all people to love and enjoy all different types of Korean culture all at one time and in one place,” Lee said.

The cultural event began in the morning by screening the Golden Globe Award-winning Korean movie, “Minari,” then progressed on to an open house where people could taste popular Korean snacks. People played Korean games, had their fortunes told and made “ddakji,” a folded paper tile that features in the global K-drama hit, “Squid Game.”

At 2 p.m., the live entertainment, singing, dancing and music, began after opening remarks. Kim, Sanford, UND President Andrew Armacost, Mayor Brandon Bockenski and UND Provost Eric Link, each welcomed guests to the event and expressed their thanks that it could be held at UND, in cooperation with the Consulate General.

While speaking, Bochenski said he told Kim the old joke that in North Dakota you can watch your dog run away for three days. Sanford leaned over while Bochenski continued, and said to Kim: “In eastern North Dakota, not the west,” to which Kim smiled.

When Link addressed the crowd he revealed his affinity for Korean movies and music and snacks, and said he wanted to buy a truck load of the honey and butter potato chips put out for guests to try. In a very short span of time he named several Korean action and horror movies he urged the crowd to see.

Link then used double entendre to weave the names of nearly a dozen K-pop acts into his speech, including PSY, of “Gangnam Style” fame, Girls Generation, BTS and more, drawing squeals of delight from the crowd.

“It's not lost on me that this opening ceremony started at 2 p.m., am I right?” Link said, drawing groans from the audience, when they quickly connected the dots that a six-piece K-pop act shares the same name as the starting time.

Following those remarks and short trivia game, a five-piece drum ensemble took to the stage, and their thundering sounds rose and fell in crescendos, as the members played in unison.

Singing, a K-pop performance by members of the Korean Culture Exchange Club, and the Performance by the Chicago Korean Dance Company followed, while more food was served.

Soojung Kim, Joonghwa Lee’s wife and also a professor in UND’s department of communication, said Consul General Kim was pleased at the welcoming atmosphere of Grand Forks and UND. She said Lee will continue his efforts to promote Korean culture in Grand Forks, and that the consulate may consider supporting additional Korean cultural events in the future.

Perhaps then Link can stock up on those potato chips.