Finding Peace: Korean Heritage Night was Held on May 8, 2025
History in the Making: 1st Annual Korean Heritage Night
For the first time in 168 years, the first Finding Peace: Korean Heritage Night took place at Woodword Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA. Presented in partnership with BIMA, AHB, and SolJoy the events honored Mental Health Awareness Month and AANHPI Heritage Month as part of the island’s Asian Arts and Festival Heritage Festival founded by Stephanie Reese.
This cultural showcase highlighted the best of ancient Korean traditions from Taekwondo and Dahnmudo to modern day KPop hit’s like BTS’s Not Today.
Featuring Local Performers
Day of Event
Thank you to our Partners, over 50+ Local Performers, and Volunteers for making this possible!
Thank you to everyone who attended with a full house of over 365 people registered!
What Attendees Have to Say . . .
“It was so magical, this was the first time I connected to my culture as an adopted Korean American. I’ve struggled to share my learned about heritage with my adopted family who celebrate Chuseok and Lunar New Year with me and they eat the food, but don’t really get it. But my cousin and aunt showed up to the event to witness it. Now, they get it.”
“It felt special to me tor realize there are other Korean Americans than I realized, after living on the island many years [participating with other Asian American groups] . . . being organized and brought together and Arirang has a special place in my heart–so that meant a lot.
“Such a multigenerational event with youth participation and facets of Korean culture shared! I appreciate how educational and engaging and from our local community this was.”
In the Media
Inaugural Korean Heritage Night Coming in May
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Korean Heritage Resources
What is Hallyu: How the Korean Wave is Impacting Culture Today
Han Kang Poem “It is OK”
괜찮아 IT IS OKAY
태어나 두달이 되었들때 The baby cried every night
아이는 저녁마다 울었다 when two months old
배고파서도 아니고 어디가 not because of hunger or
아파서도 아니고 in pain
아무 이유도 없이 without any reason
해 질 녘 부터 밤까지 꼬박 세시간 from dusk to night, crying 3 hours
거품 같은 아이가 꺼져버릴 까봐 Afraid of the fragile baby disappearing
나는 두팔로 껴안고 I hold on with my arms
집안을 수없이 돌며 물었다 I walked around the house over and over again
…
Ways to Get Involved
This is all made possible by our amazing team of volunteers and performers!
VOLUNTEER
Foster the Korean American Community Connection through Potlucks and Socials
- Host a potluck or gathering to a Korean restaurant!
- Connect Community: Build a Korean American Business directory we can support
- Be part of a K-Dramas or Kpop “movie/music club” to share with
- Research fun socials the group can do together
- Learn the language and culture together through online courses or in person events
Contact our awesome volunteer coordinator Jaclyn Chao at jaclyn.chao@gmail.com for spots left or to discuss any creative ideas you may have to contribute!
SHARE
Spread the word with others interested in Korean American/Korean culture what’s available!
Let media know what we’re up to.
- Share on the socials about upcoming events
- Take pictures to post to the website
- Create articles of what happened to inform prospective community members flyers for social events.
- Create hashtags like #koreanamerican #heritage to support and celebrate our culture
- Stay up to date on current events and news to share with members
Contact anna@soljoy.life to discuss any creative ideas you may have to contribute!
PARTNER
Contribute or Sponsor Peace and Korean Heritage events such as World Peace Concert, Chuseok, or Lunar New Year.
- Next year’s Korean Heritage Night will be themed “Resilience.” Be part of the magic
- Organize a team social gathering to enjoy this packed show!
- Source or provide food for performers and attendees
- Support the cause of mental health and cultural heritage as a team fundraiser for your employee group
YOUR DONATION IS 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Made possible by and thank you to our Fiscal Sponsor Angels for Angels EIN 27- 5180670
As required by federal tax law, once a donation has been processed, it becomes the property of Angels for Angels, and Angels for Angels has exclusive legal control over the donated funds. Angels for Angels will make a go od faith effort to utilize a gift for the purposes of the project named, however, Angels for Angels reserves the right to re-grant gifts where, in Angels for Angels sole discretion, the recommended project is not furthering its specified charitable purposes or when, for example, such project falls out of compliance with a federal or state regulatory authority. If Angels for Angels cannot regrant a donation to or for the purposes of a project that you have recommended, Angels for Angels may in its sole discretion select an alternate recipient, expend the funds in furtherance of the intended charitable purpose itself, or contact you for a different recommendation.
