First trip with the Korean class to the Pohang Traditional Culture Center, and it felt like walking straight into a historical drama. Surrounded by hanok-style buildings, mountains, and the bluest sky ever, we followed the path like curious little tourists ready to experience Chuseok traditions. Good weather, new friends, and the calm beauty of Korean culture. Honestly, even the clouds showed up looking perfect. Can every school day be like this?

Meet the international hanbok squad -Ready to protect the kingdom… or at least take 100 photos before lunch. From bold red to soft lavender, every hanbok was more beautiful than the last. Even the guards (yes, someone got the full guard outfit!) looked like they stepped out of a historical drama. We may not speak Korean perfectly yet, but we definitely dress like royalty.

Chuseok lunchbox, but make it gourmet art. Fresh shrimp, juicy grapes, grilled eel, cherry tomatoes, citrus slices and tiny sauces tucked into cute cups — every bite tasted like a celebration. We sat in hanbok, under the autumn sky, eating this masterpiece like royalty from a K-drama picnic scene.

Stepping into this hanok village felt like traveling back 500 years ⏳ The weather was perfect, mountains stood quietly in the distance, and our hanbok swished like watercolor petals in the breeze. No phones, no rush — just calm footsteps on old stone paths, silence, and tradition all around us. For a moment, we felt like Joseon-era royalty wandering through history. Even the clouds seemed to pause and pose for the photo, as if the sky knew it was part of the scene.

Rice cake pounding time! We all took turns trying to hit the sticky dough with a huge wooden hammer, and wow — it’s much harder than it looks! Each hit echoed through the room while everyone cheered, laughed, and tried not to miss the target. We got a real taste of Chuseok tradition, not just by watching, but by doing. It felt like a mix of ceremony, teamwork, and comedy. Who knew making rice cakes could be this fun and this dramatic?

Here we are, making Korean rice cakes with full concentration and questionable talent. Gloves on, different designs everywhere, and our teacher pretending we’re doing great. Each rice cake is supposed to look like a flower… mine looked more like a potato wearing a hat. But taste over appearance, right?  This is Chuseok at its best — sweet snacks, new friends, and lots of laughter!

During the Chuseok cultural event, we were separated into girls and boys to learn the traditional Korean bow, jeol. The girls were taught how to kneel gracefully and fold their hands properly, while the boys practiced the deeper, more formal bow used in ceremonies. Standing on red mats in front of the stage, dressed in hanbok, it felt like we were rehearsing for a royal ritual. At first we were shy and confused, but soon we were laughing, bowing in sync, and really feeling the beauty of Korean etiquette and tradition.

Drumming our hearts out at the Chuseok Cultural Event! We put on hanbok, grabbed our drumsticks, and tried to follow the rhythm of traditional Korean drums. At first it was chaos — sticks flying, beats off-sync, but soon the room was filled with one powerful rhythm that made the floor shake. It felt like music, teamwork, and pure fun all at once. Who knew tradition could be this loud, this energetic, and this unforgettable?

Playing traditional Korean games in hanbok was honestly one of the cutest parts of the Chuseok program  We all sat in a circle on the wooden floor and tried our best at gonggi, a game that looks simple — toss, catch, repeat — until you drop every single stone like a beginner. Laughter, friendly competition, and dramatic fails filled the room. Surrounded by colorful hanbok and shelves of traditional drums, it felt like stepping into a childhood memory from the Joseon era. No phones, no pressure, just pure joy and culture shared together.

After all the laughter, dramatic throws, and careful strategy during Yut Nori, our team ended up winning, and the prizes were amazing in the most unexpected way. Instead of medals, we received shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste!  Standing in hanbok, holding beauty products like victorious champions, made everyone smile. It was the perfect blend of tradition, fun, and modern surprises. A simple board game turned into one of the most memorable moments, filled with teamwork, friendly competition, and gifts we can actually use. Definitely a win in every way.