Exploring Korean Culture at the Mt. Pleasant Library

The smell of an ample Korean feast drew curious patrons to the downstairs area of the on Saturday.

Attendees of the "Fifty Wonders of Korea" program were treated to presentations about Korean history, culture and modern achievements by members of the Flushing, Queens-based Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project (KSCPP) donning colorful hanbok, or traditional celebratory Korean attire, for the occasion.

Kyeng Pak of KSCPP introduced the videos the documentary-style videos portraying some of the country's historical wonders, including its unique language, hangul, KSCPP representatives reenacted chesa, a memorial service Korean families hold on the anniversary of the death of a parent or ancestor.

"This shows the work after the Korean War in construction, shipbuilding and IT," said Pak of some of the nation's big achievements.

"I'm very excited about what I saw," said Marsha Thompson, a Pleasantville resident. "I've been to Korea in the 70s. It's very impressive for a culture to have such a drive after a war to make their nation better."

The presentations were followed by a meal cooked up by the KSCPP, which included popular Korean dishes including bulgogi (marinated beef), kimchi (spicy, fermented cabbage), bibimbap (mixed vegetables over rice) and japchae (clear noodles with vegetables), to name a few. Desserts included dduk (soft rice cakes) and maejagwa (ginger cookies with honey and pine nuts).

Attendees overwhelmingly said they were impressed with the presentation and the food, including Diane Fulues who first took part in a KSCPP event at the library last year.

"I'm just thrilled to be a part of this," said the Bedford resident. "We in America have to learn from the Korean people...their dedication and willinginess to work has to be infused into our educational system."

Fulues said she was so impressed with last year's presentation she has attended around seven or eight additional KSCPP events since then and can't get enough.

"This is an amazing group," she said. "They deserve such praise for what they're doing—they have such a love and respect for their culture."

See for photos of the KSCPP performing a traditional Korean wedding ceremony at the Katonah Village Library last week.