[Seoul Travel] Dongguk University and Lotus Lantern Festival

One of the places i like to visit when i am in Korea is the university campus. The environment is usually beautiful and it gives you the positive vibes. This is Dongguk University (동국대학교) located in Seoul. I was there in May this year during the Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeon Deung Hoe), which is a highlight event during Budhha's Day in Korea.

The campus may not be as big as some of the universities in Seoul but it is a scenic place to walk around with tall green trees.

Every year, the Buddhist Cheer Rally is held at Dongguk University's Stadium. A feast of laughter and joy where the lantern parade participants, arrayed in their traditional Korean costumes, hanbok, rally together, laughing and dancing before the lotus lantern parade begins.

This is one of the filming sites for a 2018 Korean Drama, Encounter (aka Boyfriend) starring Park Bo Gum and Song Hye Gyo. Jinhyeok (PBG)' graduation scene was filmed at the entrance of Myeongjin Hall.

Catch a short glimpse of Jinhyeok's graduation video here.

Dongguk University (동국대학교) is a private, coeducational university in South Korea, based on Buddhism. Established in 1906 as Myeongjin School (명진학교) by Buddhist pioneers of the Association of Buddhism Research, the university gained full university status as Dongguk University in 1953. The university remains one of the few Buddhist-affiliated universities in the world, and is the member of International Association of Buddhist Universities.

Dongguk University's main campus is located in Jung District, Seoul, just north of Namsan. The upper buildings of the campus are directly connected into the trails of Namsan park.

The campus' main entrance is at Dongguk University Station the intersection of Seoul Subway Line 3 and 4. Chungmuro Station is near the rear entrance.

The 2020 Lotus Lantern Festival will take place from 24 to 26 April. There are events where priority is given to travellers such as tickets to watch the lantern parade and lantern making events. Interested participants may apply for tickets via the LLF website.

http://www.llf.or.kr/eng/info/festival.php?wr_id=9

Zoom into the map to check the walking direction from Dongguk University Station to the campus.

[Korean Culture] Red Bean Porridge (Patjuk) during Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice (Dongji, 동지), is celebrated on the day of the year when daylight hours are the shortest.  This day usually takes place between 20 to 22 December of the solar calendar.  Starting from this day, the days become longer, marking the coming of spring, which is regarded as the real start of a new year.  Dongji is sometimes referred to as "Little New Year's Day".

Koreans celebrate Dongji by eating red bean porridge (Patjuk, 팥죽).  Dongji patjuk contains saealsim (새알심) meaning bird egg, a ball made from glutinous rice flour, named as such due to its resemblance to small bird's eggs, possibly quail eggs.

(clockwise from top left direction: red bean porridge,

seaweed porridge, abalone porridge, pumpkin porridge)

The ancient Korean traditional believes that patjuk has the power to drive away evil spirits.  This is because red is a symbolic colour of positive energy which can defeat negative energy.  A such, cooking and eating patjuk is a ritual to drive away bad luck, diseases and evil spirits.

Nowadays people don't make patjuk at home, and rarely do they perform ancestral rites or place patjuk around the house. Instead, they purchase patjuk ready-made at food stores and eat it together with family.  Winter solstice falls on 21 December in 2013 (Korea Standard Time is 22 December 2013).


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Korean Ginseng Festival 2013 in Singapore

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted a 2-day event to introduce Korea's most symbolic health food, Korean Ginseng to the local community.   The Korean Ginseng Festival 2013 allowed guests to get acquainted with the goodness of Korean Ginseng and to discover why the 6-year Korean Ginseng is praised to be the highest quality ginseng in the world.  This natural medicine has been appreciated globally for its unique set of health benefits, including enhancing the immune system as well as boosting the stamina.

The Guest-of-Honour, Mrs Seo Ki Ae, spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, launched the festival on 7 November 2013 at Hansang Family Restaurant.  Guest speaker, Professor Kim Si-Kwan, President of The Korean Society of Ginseng, shared the findings from his extensive research in the study of the King of Herbs.  Prof Kim has won numerous academic awards and accolades in the study of Korean Ginseng.

The sharing was followed by a cooking demonstration on using the Korean Ginseng as an ingredient in traditional such as the Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup and the Beef Stew with Korean Ginseng and Sweet Pumpkin; and a Ginseng-themed buffet.

Snacks included Susam Shake, Insam Daechu Cha (Ginseng and Red Date Tea), Insam Latte, Insam Ice Cream, Insam Sherbet and Insam Goguma Mat Tang (Deep fried Ginseng and Sweet Potato).

The buffet line was really sumptuous.  Appetisers including Susam Salad (Ginseng salad), Insam Sak Jook (Ginseng Chicken porridge), Insam Japchae (Ginseng Sweet Potato Noodle), Insam Goojol Pan (Flour roll stuffed with 8 ingredients) and Insam Sanjok (Ginseng skewers).

Other than Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup), there was also Insam Ddok Galdi (Ginseng Beef Patty), Insam Ganpoonggi (Deep fried chicken and ginseng), Insam Danhabook Galbi Jim (Beef Stew with Sweet Potato) and Ogok Bab (Mixed grain rice).

Traditional desserts including Gyong Dan (Rice cake stuffed with bean paste), Hodduk (Traditional Korean Pancake with nuts and topped with brown sugar syrup) and Sujong Gua (Cinnamon punch) were also served to sweetened the buffet treat.


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