Many Kyonggi University graduates are active in their respective fields. Among them, the Pharos would like to introduce Moon Hyun-woo, who is active in the culture planning field. Mr. Moon, also known as “Arirang Youth,” is the head of the Arirang School and the Arirang Troupe. He started penniless and is now writing his own success story in the culture planning field. Now, the Pharos will introduce the story of Arirang Youth.

1. Please introduce yourself.

I am a graduate of the Tourism Management Department at Kyonggi University, and I was in the Class of 2006. I have an unusual job; I’m a Korean culture planner, a job I made myself. In addition, I am the head of the Arirang School, which informs people about Korean traditional culture, and the Arirang Troupe, which provides information about Korean culture to people around the world.

2. Please tell us what you are doing now. 

 The Arirang School is an academy where people can experience traditional culture and arts. For those who are interested in Korean traditional music but cannot find a place to learn or who wish to heal through tradition culture, we have created a place where people can learn the gayageum, the haegeum, Korean dance, and Pansori. We do not only focus on learning, but we also inform people around the world about Korean culture while traveling around the world.

3. Please tell us what made you do this and what you have tried to do during this process.

One day while I was overseas, I cheered a national football team match singing Arirang with many compatriots. Since then, I have had a very good relationship with Arirang. However, in 2012, when I was a junior in university, I saw China trying to take Arirang away as part of the Northeast Project. I thought about how to make this problem known to the world, and I made the Arirang Troupe. That was the beginning of the Arirang Troupe, and then it was sponsored by a company to travel around the world and promote Arirang.

4. Which country is the most memorable among the countries you have visited while you have been active in the Arirang Troupe?

It is difficult to talk about one place because there are many attractive countries and cities. For that reason, I think it is right to associate all the countries and cities into one message. The message is “Arirang hill.” I think the countries and cities are figuratively Arirang hill, and there have been moments that I couldn’t predict when I’m going to go beyond this hill. However, I believe all of those moments were meaningful to me.

5. Could you tell us the most worthwhile thing about introducing Korean culture with the Arirang School and Arirang Troupe?

The most worthwhile thing is working with many people. I prefer relationships that have a deeper bond than just being an acquaintance, and this kind of bond is shaped by meeting lots of people. In addition, contacting people is as important as informing them about Korean culture through the Arirang School and Arirang Troupe. Without people, I wouldn’t be able to achieve this. Thus, I think meeting many people is the most worthwhile thing.

6. What do you think about the prospect of Korean culture such as traditional music or dance?

I do not think traditional Korean culture has been lost or ruined. I think there is noticeable sustainability because Korean culture has continued for a long time. When I was a university student, there was little traditional culture, such as wearing Hanbok or listening traditional music, in everyday life. Nowdays, however, listening to traditional music or wearing Hanbok has become a trend. And the more people become interested in Korean culture, the bigger the potential for culture development is.

7. Please give advice to students who dream of jobs in the fields of performance planning or traditional culture.

What I want to say is that they should try to make many small attempts and accumulate strengths and knowledge. If they do this, they’ll be able to do bigger things in the future. For example, I hosted a game of “yut” by recruiting participants and collecting admission. Later, I held a bigger contest and the results were so successful that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism asked me to hold a national convention. I hope that students will achieve their dreams by gaining experience, even though they might be immature now.

8. Please say a word to the students in Kyonggi University.

I hope they will take pride in Kyonggi University. Many students are studying to enroll in a better university. I think it would be better for them to do other activities at this time. I think they should make the university shine through their efforts, not seek light through the school. I want them to be proud of Kyonggi University by making themselves prosperous.

Informing people about culture is a very hard thing. However, Mr. Moon has achieved his dream of providing information about culture. He has introduced traditional music, dance and arts to not only Korea, but the world. Hopefully, such activities will increase the sustainability of Korean culture and bring opportunities to experience Korean culture to people around the world.

 Management Editor.NOH SEOKHO.ajaaja0124@naver.com

 71st Cub Reporter.WON YOOHUN.dnjsdbgns123@naver.com