Korea Festa combines K-pop, hanbok, food in celebration of culture
Yeonjae Lee, 19, from Huntington, center, danced with Memphis Belle dance group at Korea Festa in Huntington Saturday. Credit: Morgan Campbell
The pulsing sounds of K-pop mixed with the flash of colors flowing from Korean dresses and the sweet aroma of freshly grilled bulgogi at Korea Festa in Huntington, a multiday celebration of the region's rich culture.
Thousands were expected to attend the festival, organized by Good News New York Church and International Youth Fellowship USA, over the extended Labor Day weekend.
"Korean culture is very deep rooted … There's actually an investment one makes when becoming a part of Korean culture," said Daniel Oh, an organizer of the festival.
"I want people to take away that this isn't something flimsy. The more you learn about Korean culture, the more you realize you don't know about it," Oh said. "It's really beautiful."
Jessica Park, left, of Virginia, and Chelsea Commodore, of Port Jefferson, played gonggi together. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Korea Festa, held at Mahanaim music school on Nassau Road, is split into areas: one holding a wide array of food options, and another section where festivalgoers can try on traditional Korean garb, called hanbok, play games and take part in other Korean-inspired activities.
The food stands include Korean staples, like kimchi, fried rice and bulgogi, and desserts like the tornado potato — a skewer of fried, sliced potatoes — and Korean corn dogs.
Logan Dimaglia, 38, and Krystal Diaz, 39, both of Hauppauge, were trying food and drinks from the street food stands and planned on taking part in the craft-making activities set up on the lawn of the festival grounds.
"I really appreciate the food," Diaz said. "I always wanted to try this food before, and it's really nice to have this readily available."
Glen Heil, a member of the church running the event, said the group aimed to "make a mix of the old and the new" for this iteration of Korea Festa, following a separate weekend celebrating Korean culture in June.
"We wanted to go for a mix of traditional Korean cultural experiences, and then a lot of things that people see in pop culture today, whether it be 'Squid Game,' K-dramas and K-pop," Heil said.
"Squid Game"-themed trivia was one of multiple activities based on Korean pop culture. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Long Island has a growing Asian population, Newsday has reported, increasing nearly 41% between 2014 and 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Early in the afternoon Saturday, the Memphis Belle dance group performed a routine on the stage before dozens took part in a "Squid Game"-inspired trivia competition. Nearby, attendees could try on hanbok and walk down a runway or design traditional Korean fan art, among other activities.
Julia Hong, a member of the church, ran the K-beauty stand, where participants can go through a "personal color test station" that matches outfit color options based on variations in skin tones.
Hong said she hopes people "have fun with it" and learn about different color palettes that work with their personal style.
"I hope that gives them more confidence when they're going out," Hong said.
Jaymes Blair, 39, of Huntington, brought along his dog, Oscar, to the festival and said the food is what brought him to the event. On top of the Korean cuisine, he said he hoped to leave "with a better understanding of the culture."
The festival runs through Sept. 1, from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
