Festival-Goers Get Good Taste of Korea Traditions

Jennifer Robles never had kimchi, the spicy Korean cabbage, that was quite as spicy as the ones sold at the 12th annual Orange County Korean Festival. But then again, she never knew that Kia cars were a Korean line or that a karaoke machine plays laser disks.

“My grandmother is Korean and my mother’s half Korean and half Russian,” said the 17-year-old from La Puente, one of the thousands of people at the festival. “I’ve never tasted so much Korean food.”

Under cloudy skies, festival-goers feasted on Korean barbecue, noodles, sushi and rice cakes simmered in kochijang, a red spicy sauce. People chatted in Korean while browsing through the 60 booths brimming with books, clothes and Korean art on both sides of the quad at K.D. Plaza, where the festival continues today.

Sponsored by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and the city of Garden Grove, the event was held to educate those who don’t know much about the Korean culture, said Byung Pak, festival chairman.

“The second-generation Korean Americans don’t know much about Korea,” Pak said. “They have to learn. American people come here and see that we are one. Koreans, people from other countries, we’re here together.”

Many of the fun-seekers brought their children, parents and in-laws to the festival just for a day out of the house. Others such as Robles went to the festival to learn more about themselves.

Cindy Lee, a 14-year-old Garden Grove High School student clad in traditional Korean dress, said she has seen many Koreans stick to their same groups. Having friends from other cultures has made her life better and she hopes the festival will do the same for others.

“This is kind of like community service,” she said with a smile. “It’s really nice that the American culture can see the Korean culture.”

Sunny Hoang, 42, was preparing for the 1 p.m. Turtle Marathon, a walk of unity along Garden Grove Boulevard between Magnolia Avenue and Brookhurst Street. For the past few years, the Mission Viejo resident has been pushing her U.S.-born teen-age daughters to go to the festival so they can see Korean style and culture.

“They’re coming at night,” Hoang said. “At first, I had to push them to come, but now they really like it. They learn a lot.”

More than 1,000 people gathered across the street for the marathon. All participants received a free T-shirt.

The highlight of the day came at 3 p.m. with a parade along Garden Grove Boulevard. Hundreds lined up to see traditional dancers, marching bands and colorfully decorated floats. Young people demonstrated tae kwon do. This year’s grand marshal was Norm Doerges, the executive vice president of Disneyland, who brought along his famous pal, Mickey Mouse.

Cries of “There’s Mickey Mouse!” were heard from several children sitting on the curb waving little plastic U.S. and Korea flags provided by festival officials.

The festival, held at the shopping plaza at 9590 Garden Grove Blvd., began Oct. 6 and is scheduled to end at 10 p.m. today.

Though she was tired by the time the parade started, Jennifer Robles said it was a day well spent.

“I got to see dances and learn what Korea is all about,” she said. “It’s a very good learning experience if you don’t know much about your past.”