The 51st Los Angeles Korean Festival drew a larger-than-expected crowd, bringing together the local community members.
However, the festival was also criticized for the lack of smooth execution of some cultural performances and the overly elaborated protocol of Korean politicians at the opening ceremony.
Some Korean-American visitors also complained that specialty products and food sold at the booths were too overpriced.
The 51st Korean Festival occurred at Seoul International Park in Koreatown from September 26-29. It was supposed to bring together Korean attractions, food, and activities to give an immersive experience as if visiting Korea. Still, the event was marred by some hiccups along the way.
The organizers presented more than 50 cultural performances on the center stage over the four days. However, visitors pointed out that there was a lack of prior advertisement, including a schedule for visitors. The Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation posted the schedule on its website in advance, but some visitors had to miss the cultural performances they had hoped to see.
Some visitors came expecting bargains and were disappointed by the high prices. A visitor to the festival, Yookyung Kim said, “It seems that the festival site hasn’t escaped the price hike,” adding, “I couldn’t buy much because the prices at the expo booths and food stalls seemed to have increased a lot.”
At the food market, many visitors seemed stunned to see a row of kimbap sold for $13, two skewers of fish cake for $15, and a bowl of tteokbokki for $15. One drink booth was selling strawberry sparkling water and matcha lattes for $10. On the other hand, a booth selling hot dogs, sotteoksotteok (sausage and rice cake), and chicken skewers for $5 drew a crowd.
In total, 169 vendors set up booths at the Agriculture Expo, selling Korean local specialties. Some exhibitors lamented that despite the large number of visitors, sales were not as good as in previous years.
“I brought a traditional Korean doenjang, but it seems difficult to advertise it to visitors,” said Youngsoo Oh of Baekyidonggol, of Gangwon-do, South Korea. Sooji Kim of Haru Geonggang from Daegu, South Korea, said, “The economy itself is not doing well, so visitors tend not to spend much money.”
Heejin Kim, 80, who visited the festival for two days on September 27 and 28, said, “The scale of the expo was quite large and there were many things to buy,” adding, “However, the selling price seems to have increased quite a bit compared to last year. It cost me $250 to buy the things I needed.”
There were also complaints about the excessive ceremonial protocol at the opening ceremony, especially involving Korean local governments and politicians.
“The opening ceremony was not as smooth as it should have been, with politicians from South Korea being introduced and greeted first,” said one Korean-American organization leader, adding, ”The elected local politicians and officials who sponsored and supported the LA Korean Festival should be brought to the forefront for the festival to continue to develop.”
Some elected officials dropped out shortly before the opening ceremony.
However, the festival was praised for providing visitors with a variety of cultural performances on the center stage of Seoul International Park over the four days.
The center stage performances attracted K-pop celebrities such as Killagramz, Justin Park, As One, Hong Kyung Min, and Kim Hyun Jung. Also, Korean American and Southern California cultural performers such as Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy, Hanbok Fashion Show, Team M TKD, Ballet, UCLA Music of Korea, Gayageum, LAPD Brass Quintet, and Silver Fashion Show provided highlights. With better publicity, more visitors could have enjoyed the festival.
“I think many people enjoyed the diversity of the festival,” said Alex Cha, Chairman of the LA Korean Festival Foundation. “I am especially pleased that the events to experience Korean culture firsthand were well received, and we will further explore the ways to make it a global Korean festival.”
The various Korean cultural experience booths were successful in attracting visitors from other ethnic groups.
They were particularly interested in activities such as kimchi making, hanbok making, paper art, and calligraphy. Visitors expressed satisfaction that they were able to experience the Korean culture they had seen on TV and in movies. The festival organizers also paid close attention to safety issues, as the event is a highly visited venue.
The festival foundation had 70 security officers on-site throughout the event for residents to safely explore the festival.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic division reinforced patrols, installed lighting in the restroom area, reserved parking for booth exhibitors, secured a large additional parking space, and operated free shuttles.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, HOONSIK WOO [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
