Come to Korean Cultural Day in Cedar City!

Cedar City, Festival City USA, is hosting its first Korean Cultural Day on Monday, September 28. The event will feature Korean traditional dance, a Korean traditional dress (Hanbok) fashion show, music, and Korean food.

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Korean Traditional Dance The essence of traditional Korean dance will be presented through some of the most representative dance styles of Korea: Ipchum (the rudimentary dance of all Korean folk dance), Taepyeongmu(an elegant and sophisticated dance in brilliant court costumes; click to watch), and Sogochum (a vibrant folk dance with small drums).

Hanbok Fashion Show Hanbok refers to the Korean traditional style of dress, which is often characterized by the use of vibrant colors, elegant curves and simple lines. The fashion show will feature a number of different examples of this beautiful traditional style.

Mixed Chorus Examples of traditional and contemporary Korean and western music will be performed. This will include a performance of the widely loved and well known Korean folk song, Arirang.

Korean Food Korean food is known for being spicy, flavorful and healthy. Samples of Korean food will be available for tasting. This includes Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), Japchae (stir fried noodles and vegetables) and Bulgogi(grilled marinated beef).
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The event is FREE, so bring your friends and family for a night of food and fun!

Korean Cultural Day Program

7:00 Korean Food Tasting

7:30 Opening
- Welcome Address by Gerald R. Sherratt, Mayor of Cedar City
- Welcome Address by Jaewon Kim, Director of Korean Cultural Center

- Seoul Chorus
Ulsan Lady (Korean Folk Song), Love Me Tender, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing

- Ae-jin Kim, Heather Chang
Now & Forever (Modern Dance)

- Jang Yoon Jung Dance Group
Ipchum (Korean Traditional Dance)

- Korean Traditional Costume Hanbok Fashion Show
(Supported by Canyon View High School)

- Jang Yoon Jung
Taepyoungmu (Korean Traditional Dance)

- Flavor Steps
Break Dance

- Jang Yoon-Jung
Sogochum (Korean Traditional Dance)

- Ji, Yoon Ja Group
Korean Folk Song, Let it be

- Ji, Yoon Ja
Gayageum Sanjo

- Korean Traditional and Modern Performance
Featuring: Kim, Ae-jin/Flavor Steps/Jang Yoon Jung

-Concerted Singing
Arirang (Seoul Chorus & Jiyoonja), God Bless America

-Closing
Sunny Lee

Why a Korean Cultural Day in Cedar City?
The Korean Cultural Day in Cedar City is an example of the continuing development of the long relationship between Cedar City and Gapyeong, South Korea. In fact, Cedar City has an important place in the history between the United States and South Korea. During the Korean War, the 213th Field Artillery Battalion, headquartered in Cedar City, sent 600 soldiers to Korea. A documentary called “Miracle at Kap Yong: The Story of the 213th” was produced to tell the story of how the soldiers successfully defended Gapyeong from the attack of a much larger communist force. On September 27th of 2008, the Korean War veterans were remembered and celebrated with the dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Cedar City.

And in June of 2009, veterans from the 213th visited South Korea to return to the site of the famous battle at Gapyeong. A documentary called “Hello Gapyeong, Goodbye Sammy: The story of old soldiers” was also produced about the veterans’ trip to South Korea and their memories of their service.

The Korean Cultural Day in Cedar City is the most recent expression of this long relationship. It will provide the people of Cedar City the opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the unique culture of the country that their veterans helped to liberate. After the event, this relationship will be strengthened even further through the formal establishment of a sister city relationship between Cedar City and Gapyeong.
※Related articles: Deseret News (Southern Utah memorial salutes veterans of the Korean War), KCSG (Korean War Memorial Dedicated), SUU News (Memorial honors Cedar City, Richfield soldiers' efforts in South Korea)

Where is the Korean Cultural Day event?
Heritage Center (105 North 100 East, Cedar City, UT)

Click to see the location on Google Map
Click to get driving directions (Heritage Center)

Any Questions about the Korean Cultural Day?
Please call 432-865-2882 or email at mstarcom1@gmail.com

Cedar City Lodging & Hotel Information - click.
Cedar City Restaurant Information - click.

About Cedar City
Cedar City is a beautiful town near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. These two parks were both selected this year by Forbes.com to be in the list of the 10 best national parks in America. Also, Forbes Traveler selected Bryce Canyon as one of the most astonishing landscapes in the world. Zion National Park is one hour away and Bryce Canyon National Park is two hours away, while the sights and sounds of Las Vegas are only two and a half hours from Cedar City. Salt Lake City, the capital city of Utah, is three and a half hours away.

As Festival City USA, Cedar City offers festivals and events to enjoy throughout the year, including the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival. And new to Cedar City this year is the Korean Cultural Day! Don't miss it!

Korean Barbecue: Samgyupsal with Kimchi

One of the unique experiences you can get in Korea is to grill your own meat in a restaurant. Many restaurants in Korea have grills at the tables, and customers cook their meat exactly the way they like. Samgyupsal is probably the most popular type of meat for Korean barbecue. It is made from pork belly strips, the same part Americans use for bacon. Samgyupsal is inexpensive and delicious. Samgyupsal has always been one of J.J’s favorite Korean foods.

When you go to a Samgyupsal restaurant, you don’t need to wait to be seated. Just go sit at any table available. Servers will bring you a menu and water. To order Samgyupsal, you should get at least two or three servings. It will cost less than 30,000 won (around 30 US dollar). Samgyupsal will be served with a dipping sauce called Ssamjang (paste). It also usually comes with a side of sliced garlic and peppers, onions, mushrooms and lettuce. Then it’s barbecue time!


You can cook anything on the grill with the Samgyupsal. When we barbecue, we also grill garlic, mushrooms, onions and Kimchi along with the Samgyupsal. Even if you don’t really like the taste or smell of raw Kimchi, try grilled Kimchi with Samgyupsal. Kimchi tastes strong, but when it’s grilled until it turns yellow it becomes much milder. The subtle spice of grilled Kimchi goes very well with the flavor of Samgyupsal. That’s how J.J. started enjoying Kimchi and our American family and friends also like it. Also, Kimchi is healthy because it’s a fermented vegetable made with a lot of garlic.

As you probably know, pork should always be thoroughly cooked. When the Samgyupsal gets close to being cooked, cut it into bite size pieces using the scissors provided at the table. Wait until the Samgyupsal is well done and the Kimchi becomes caramelized. Then, grab a piece of lettuce and put it in your palm. Yes, you have to use your hand. So, clean your hands with the hot towel that you’ll be given at the restaurant. Put a couple pieces of Samgyupsal into the lettuce, and then get some of the sauce using your chopsticks and put it on your Samgyupsal. You can also add Kimchi, garlic, pepper and/or onions if you like. Wrap it just like you would do with soft-shell tacos and enjoy!



If you want more side dishes such as lettuce and Kimchi, ask for more. No extra charge will be added. There’s another thing that you need to know before you go to a Korean restaurant. Servers usually won’t check on your table after the food is served. Instead, you call them whenever you need something. Many restaurants in Korea have a bell on each table. When you need a server, just push the button. A server will come to your table shortly. If there’s no bell, raise your hand and say “Yoe-Gi-Yo” at a volume that you think a server can hear. The phrase means “here”, implying that something is needed.

About the time you are done eating, a server will bring you Doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and a bowl of rice. Or, you might be given the choice between Doenjang jjigae and Naengmyun (cold buckwheat noodles). We usually get Doenjang jjigae, which is a popular traditional dish. It’s good to try it if you are visiting Korea. But if you’re too full, Naengmyun may be better. When you are finished you pay the bill at the counter. No tip is expected, but they will appreciate it if you say “Ma-shi-so-yo”(delicious) and “Gam-sa-ham-ni-da”(Thank you).

Take a look at our Samgyupsal video!