The city of Buena Park went international last weekend as it threw a huge party in celebration of the South Korean Heritage on the North part of town that has made a name for itself as being “The Center of The Southland.” Thousands Korean Americans, as well as non-Koreans; came out to the evening’s festivities to share in a night of food, dancing, bright lights, and music. Many big name politicians also came out to make an appearance, and to share in a night of American and Korean relations.
The city of Buena Park went international last weekend as it threw a huge party in celebration of the South Korean Heritage on the North part of town that has made a name for itself as being “The Center of The Southland.” Thousands Korean Americans, as well as non-Koreans; came out to the evening’s festivities to share in a night of food, dancing, bright lights, and music. Many big name politicians also came out to make an appearance, and to share in a night of American and Korean relations.
Director of Community Relations and Asian Affairs, Young Kim, kicked off the 31stArirang Festival of Orange County by inviting Rev. Kim up on stage to say a prayer over the event. Reverend Kim made an appearance on behalf of many of the Christian Churches that the Korean community has opened in the Buena Park area.
“The Korean community is the fastest growing population in North Orange County,” announced Young Kim. “We are responsible for building the many businesses, churches, shops, and infrastructure all over Orange County, especially in cities like Buena Park and Garden Grove.”
After a brilliant display and performance by a Korean American Military color guard and choir, Republican Congressman Ed Royce took the stage to express the progress and advances of American and South Korean foreign relations. Royce applauded various trade and nuclear agreements between The United States and South Korea that he himself co-authored.
“As a direct result from these agreements, America and South Korea share the fifth largest trade agreement in the world,” stated Royce.
Royce also made sure to touch upon issues in regards to Japan’s denial of the “comfort women” fiasco of WWII, where Japan forced many innocent civilian Filipino, Chinese, and South Korean young women into prostitution to “suit the Axis Power’s needs” during wartime.Royce sternly called for action on behalf of the Japanese government to recognize this horrible truth of history to be acknowledged, and for them to finally own up to their war crimes against humanity.
On a high note, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva shifted gears with her announcement that both her and Irvine Mayor Steven S. Choi had teamed up to give official word that Irvine would press forward in building a new Veteran’s Cemetery. This pleased the crowd very much as they clapped and cheered with support for this good news.
Many companies who sponsored the event were on hand to lend their support for the night’s festivities. St. Jude Medical Center, Toyota, The Holiday Inn, Edison Electric Company, and Hyundai were a few that played an essential part in making the event possible.
“I would like to personally thank all of the organizers and the many sponsors that took part in the event,” said Senator Lou Correa. When asked about the overall importance in regards to the day’s event and what his favorite attribute about it was, Correa responded by saying, “this festival was very important to have because it fully displays the great diversity of not only our country or California for that matter, but of Orange County as well. Where else on earth do we have such a place where vast diversity is truly celebrated, respected, and acknowledged?
” It was a beautiful experience to see such a huge combination of people at this event. It is important that all American citizens, no matter if they are Latino, Asian, Caucasian, African-American, or whatever…that they equally understand that they are beautiful, and they are what makes this country so great. They altogether make The United States of America the greatest country in the world, and I am honored to say that it is with this diversity that solidifies California as the greatest state within our union.”
As far as Correa’s favorite thing about the festival said it was mingling with the diverse crowd.
“My most favorite part of the event is how many other people who are not Asian still came out to support their fellow neighbor,” Correa said. “This was enriching and inspiring. It shows that this event is not strictly for Korean American people only, it is for everybody to enjoy and for everyone to celebrate together.”
One of the excellent essentials of the South Korean culture that was displayed was their keen sense of fashion. K.O.R.E. Limited Clothing Company made an appearance at the event to showcase some of their latest hottest items on the market. K.O.R.E. is an abbreviation for “Keeping Our Roots Eternal.” Top sales representative, Sera Kim, explains the creative inspiration behind K.O.R.E.
“The inspiration behind our work is to express to the world the true essence of the Korean culture,” Sean Kim said. “There was never really a brand that expresses this in the way we do. We really wanted to come out strong and expand Korean culture not only to just fellow Korean people, but to a mainstream international audience.”
When asked about some of K.O.R.E.’s hottest selling items and what kind of styles they specialize in, Kim said that comes with variety.
“We have a wide variety of different hats, shirts, and sweaters,” Sean Kim said. “We’ve only been operating for a year, but are looking to expand with more items. Many of these items are inspired by the 1988 Olympics where it was held in Seoul, South Korea. If one were to look through every shirt, they will see that each holds a subliminal meaning that is dear to the Korean culture.”
