Korean Job Discussion Forums

[annyongashley]

Hi, guys! I got some advice from a friend teaching ESL in Japan a few years ago to take up a hobby (in her case: Ikebana) while working abroad in order to make acquaintances outside the workplace and build fluency in the native language of wherever you are. I thought it sounded fun, and want to continue taking calligraphy classes/lessons while I'm in Seoul teaching.

I was wondering if any of you have tried taking up Chinese or Korean calligraphy in South Korea or know someone who has. I took a couple Chinese calligraphy classes in college and shifted to private lessons a year ago with a Korean man, who has encouraged me to not give it up when I move. If not, do you have any other suggestions for fun cultural hobbies? I've tried my hand at p'ansori, also, and liked it enough to be in a few public performances in college, if you know anything about schools for that, too. Thanks!

[yeoja]

I could never open up my throat enough (does that sound inappropriate to you?) for pansori.. Have you ever considered 사물놀이 (Samulnori)? Or the Gayageum - tricky instrument, she is.

Or Origami? Yes, the "english" word is Japanese in origin but Korea's big on 종이접기 as well. There are even certificates for it (teaching certificates, I think)

Or something more athletic, like Tae Kwon Do or Gum Do (태권도/검도)? You could easily pick up where you left off once you went back to the states.

[HapKi]

hanji- Korean style paper mache
Hapkido- Korean martial art
Korean style archery
there is also all the knitting and sewing hobbies, with a Korean style to it

[dalem]

I am also interested in taking courses on doing something here in seoul, but i am more geared towards the jewelry making classes. Anyone heard anything about that? (I know it is not exactly uber-traditional here, but i am very interested in in regardless)