On September 17, for the first time in history, a Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving, celebration was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House complex, drawing attention across the country.
The event, attended by over 100 Korean Americans from various regions, including many from Los Angeles, has become a topic of interest.
Laura Park, owner of the Hanbok, or traditional Korean dress, specialty store LeeHwa Wedding and Hanbok in LA’s Koreatown, expressed her deep emotion after attending the event. “Forty years ago, I was an onlooker, staring at the White House from the outside. To now celebrate Chuseok inside its fence is overwhelming,” she shared.
Park was particularly surprised by the number of attendees wearing traditional Korean attire. “About half of the participants were dressed in Hanbok, with a wide range from traditional to modernized styles,” she added.
Park, who attended with her daughter, personally designed and tailored their Hanbok for the occasion. “I matched the basic colors of the Hanbok with the White House’s tones and incorporated Korean elements like traditional paintings and hanja [the Korean name for Chinese characters],” she explained.
The White House event featured a festive table reminiscent of a traditional Korean Chuseok feast, including various Korean dishes and beverages. Jerry Won, motivational speaker and CEO of Just Like Media, was also invited.
“I never imagined eating kimchi at the White House,” Won remarked, noting the diverse selection of Korean food and drinks, including kimchi, songpyeon (rice cakes), bokbunja wine, and makgeolli.
The event provided a unique opportunity for Korean Americans from all walks of life to connect. After the celebration, an after-party took place at the Korean restaurant Mandu in Washington, D.C., where Won enjoyed networking with other Korean American leaders.
“It was also an opportunity to hear the stories of Korean American public servants at the White House, many of whom are descendants of immigrants,” he noted.
The celebration was made even more memorable by performances of Korean music. Eunice Song, Executive Director of Korean American Coalition LA, who was invited to the event, described the emotional experience of hearing U.S. Army band member Esther Kang sing “Arirang” in Korean, as well as a rendition of Yoon Do-hyun Band’s “I Am a Butterfly” by the New York Korean Chorus.
“It brought tears to my eyes, reminding me of the hardships Korean immigrants overcame 120 years ago,” she said.
However, not all prominent figures could attend the event. James An, President of the Korean American Federation of LA, expressed his regret at missing the historic celebration due to a busy schedule. “I was invited to this first-ever Chuseok event at the White House, but I couldn’t make it because of my schedule,” he lamented.
Several high-profile figures, including Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, U.S. Representative Andy Kim, and former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim, also attended the event, adding to its significance.
According to attendees from the LA area, the hidden heroes behind the event were the Korean American staff at the White House.
Leading the effort was Philip Kim, Special Assistant to the President, alongside fellow Korean American staffers such as mixed-race Special Assistant to the President Paawee Rivera and White House Advisor Helen Beaudreau who all played crucial roles in organizing the celebration.
While President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were unable to attend in person, they sent written messages of congratulations. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai was present and delivered a congratulatory message on their behalf.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
