First lady presents essence of 'hallyu' to dignitaries

First lady Kim Yoon-ok, ninth from left, poses with wives of visiting heads of state and international organizations, including Yoo Soon-taek, sixth from left, wife of U.N. Secretary General Bank Ki-moon, who were invited to the presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, for a taste of "hallyu" or the Korean wave including a Korean luncheon, and traditional and k-pop shows. / Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog

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By Kim Ji-soo

First lady Kim Yoon-ok treated the wives of visiting heads of states and world leaders to a taste of "hallyu" or Korean wave shows in the presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae.

A total of 15 wives ― Yoo Soon-taek, wife of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and wives of visiting leaders of Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Malaysia, Vietnam, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Italy, Chile, Turkey, Philippines and the European Union ― were invited to a meal and culture shows. In a luncheon titled "Korea's Spring", the first lady presented "kimchi-jeon" or kimchi pancake, "nokdu-jeon" or mung-bean pancake, "japchae" or noodles with sauteed vegetables and shredded meat, "sinseollo" or royal hot pot, oriental tea and Korean desserts. The menu was specifically selected by the first lady, the presidential office said.

Following the luncheon, ballerina and principal dancer Kim Joo-won of the Korea National Ballet Company reenacted how a 16-layer royal wedding robe was put on. Also, Korean balladeer Sung Si-kyung and popular three-man idol group JYJ performed for the dignitaries.

A Cheong Wa Dae official said that the luncheon and the following cultural events were prepared to show the traditional and the modern, the past and the present of Korean culture to visitors to the biggest international summit taking place in the country.

janee@koreatimes.co.kr