The performances at the Columbia Korean Festival ranged from children’s taekwondo demonstrations to K-pop breakdancing to Korean drum lines.  

An array of food was available, from colorful cabbage kimchi, to steamed dumplings, chicken skewers and hotteok– a sweet pancake. All were cooked on site at the Korean Presbyterian Church on downtown’s Richland Street on Nov. 1. The block was closed off so festival goers could roam freely among the gift shop tents and the many activities.  

The family-outing atmosphere included face painters and balloon artists entertaining the kids. The Sato family had all three children in attendance – Taisei , 6, Kai, 4, and Emi, 1. Taishi Sato, their father, is from Japan but was raised and lives in Columbia. Their family hopes to make the Korean festival an annual event for the family. 

“It’s always fun to have all these Asian cultures showcased,” Sato said.  

His children seemed most excited about the ballon making.

“Push the green button,” balloon artist Kristy Lee told Kai Sato, letting the 4-year-old use the inflation machine himself.

Lee is from South Korea, but moved to Greenville 25 years ago and describes it as her “second home.” She started creating balloon art for her daughter’s first birthday.  Because she is her only daughter, Lee wanted to make it extra special and learned how to make characters and shapes with balloons.  

She now has been doing it for 20 years and has her own business.  

It was her first time she appeared at the Korean festival. As a South Korean native, it “reminded her of home,” Lee said.  

Her favorite part is “the food,” Lee said. “Always.”  

People were able to be a part of a traditional Korean tea ceremony at another vendor’s stand. Tea Master Miyoung Jeong moved to Columbia nine years ago from Korea. Her partner, Lee Bonsook, accompanies Jeong to ceremonies as both an assistant and translator, because Jeong speaks little English. 

Tea is an important part of Korean culture. 

“In Japan, China, Korea,” Bongsook said. “People love tea. She happened to be a tea expert after she found her love in tea. Whatever she does with tea, she loves, and she loves people who love tea.”  

Both attend the Korean Presbyterian Church and discovered their shared love of tea.  

“(Jeong) started doing tea ceremonies for free, and then found out people loved it and would pay,” Bongsook said. 

The tea ceremony consists of Jeong brewing the tea and serving it in small cups with three different teas to try.  

Seven-year-old Ripley Burnett loves tea, according to his mother, Amy Burnett.  

It was their second time at the Korean Festival.  

She brings him because she believes it is important to explore other cultures.  

“There are a lot of people in the world, and there is a lot to learn from each other,” Burnett said. “We like to explore and get to know other cultures better and get to know other people better.”