A Day of Traditions: Fan-Painting and a Hanok Village

A quiet afternoon for painting and relaxing

After learning the Seoul streets, going through orientation, and beginning class, students were treated to a relaxing afternoon of painting their own traditional Korean fan at Gahoe Museum.  Founded in 2002, the museum strives to preserve Korean arts, traditional painting, and history by providing painting classes and exhibitions.   The museum aims to tell folk tales and preserve symbols that teach us about the lives and wisdom gained from Korean history.  By painting a fan, students can better understand Korean arts and culture by painting significant images and symbols from history.  

Under the careful eye of our teacher, we learned to first add the color where we want it, then use a wet brush to blend it out, working from lighter to darker.  

We also had a special guest on today’s adventure, Pierre Le Gall, CIEE’s Marketing Director.  See if you can find him below alongside our hardworking, creative students! 

After that, we relaxed at a coffee shop in Bukchon Hanok Village, an area of Seoul with a long history.  During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), this was the residential area for high-ranking government officials and nobility and has been preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment.  It is so interesting to see these traditional structures intertwined with modern skyscrapers and we hope to soon return to this area to explore the alleys and hanok! 

Until next time, stay Seoul-ful!