Get immersed in South Korean culture through the lives of children in Seoul.
Explore traditional folktales and read personal stories told by Korean children as you discover time-honored cultural values and life in South Korea’s highly urbanized and technologically-advanced society.
From visiting a high-rise apartment to hanging out in a K-Pop Studio, explore folktales, games and daily activities that show how values like respect for parents and elders; the importance of scholarship; loyalty to family, friends and community; and hospitality are all integral facets of 21st century Korean life.
Heart and Seoul allows kids to discover the ways their lives in the U.S. are similar and different to children in South Korea. Developed alongside local Korean-Americans, academics from universities around North America, and families in South Korea, Heart and Seoul highlights important aspects of Korean culture to Korean children and their families including folktales, traditional ceremonies and customs, language, music, geography, and technology.
“I’ve been to Korea many times, so this was cool. It’s good for me and my family to be able to share what I know and experience it in a fun way for them.”
“It’s exposure to a new culture at a level they can understand. Sometimes it’s hard to have these big conversations about culture with kids and make the information relatable. This is a great way to get us talking.”
Learn more at this interactive touch map located inside the Pavilion. Click and drag icons on the map to learn more about Korea’s history, culture, people and geography.
Learn more about children in South Korea by texting the five who are featured in the exhibit. Ask them about their lives and their interests and get responses back from them.
Try and find the four featured folktales in the exhibit and what lessons can be learned from them. Head over to the classroom to discover even more folktale books.
Heart and Seoul: Growing Up in Korea is part of the Freeman Foundation Asian Culture Exhibit Series, funded by The Freeman Foundation and administered by the Association of Children’s Museums.
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