Korean Traditional Wedding Reenactment in San Francisco City

Recently, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco opened its doors for a new and legendary exhibit from Korean history, the Joseon Dynasty, which was the longest dynasty to rule in Asia. As a man who is growing up with a Korean-American family, I always had an interest to learn more about its heritage. Luckily, with our curator Hyonjeong Kim Han, we were able to have the exhibition held in our beautiful city of San Francisco.

I am a volunteer in the museum which allowed me the opportunity to join the tours and learn more about the heritage of Korean art. Going through the Korean art collection, I observed that the Korean wedding tradition has a rich heritage beyond its cultural value that is observable through their extensive documentation of ceremony. I took four tours through the Joseon Dynasty exhibition; one with the exhibits curator, another with a Korean docent, and the other two tours were non-Korean docents. They all gave analysis from different perspectives towards the same object. Combining their information with my own observation allowed me to understand the value of Korean culture from a wider perspective. Also having the opportunity to volunteer as a Sang-gak 상객 or a VIP guest in the Korean wedding reenactment gave me the opportunity to live in the midst of the stories I observed at the exhibition. We turned the artworks into a cultural performance; making everything alive again and cherishing them together.

On Nov. 8th, 2013, at 6:49PM, Mr. Young-Gook Song 송영국 gave me the opportunity to touch and wear the Korean attire Hanbok 한복 for the first time in my life. He was teaching us one by one how to wear them. Starting from the white pants, to the white socks Buh-seon 버선, to the outside fit Hanbok 한복. Each piece has its own way of tying and stretching it for fit. We, the volunteers, were touching the authentic lifestyle of Korea. Most of us in the changing room were strangers and we got to know one another by helping each other to dress and wear the Hanbok 한복. Many in the room were speakers of Korean so they could help us by translating what the instructors were telling each of us to do. We all made a few mistakes and had to dress and redress in order to be properly attired. The ladies were in the change room next to us, and also had a similar experience. In the end, we all had harmony and became ready by turning the time machine towards the Korean authentic style.

I was enjoying the Korean appreciation towards the groom and bride. Why would they give that so much respect? I think because Koreans carry this kind of unique respect towards each other, no matter where they immigrate or reside, they all care about their tradition and reputation. When it comes to marriage, they become content and want to show their happiness by honoring the groom and bride. It is something similar to their language, speaking to someone older than you is grammatically different than to someone younger and so from someone closer to you or a stranger. As a husband who has a Korean family, I experience that in my daily life and I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to be married into a Korean-American family. But wait a minute; I do not want to keep talking only about this!

After we were done with the rehearsal, it was around 10 in the evening and we had to go home and come back at 8 the next morning. Some volunteers had commuted from more than 50 miles away to participate with us and most were students with limited funds. All of us wanted to cherish the Korean heritage in one of the best Asian museums in the world, the Asian Art Museum of Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. It seems a long name so we call it AAM or AAM of San Francisco.

The next morning, we were all ready for the final rehearsal. This time we rehearsed in front of the City Hall. I was moved while wearing the Hanbok 한복 and listening to the performance of UC Berkeley students. They were using the Korean drums, on each beat they made it created a tune in my heart and moved my feet forward with a Korean pride. The sound of the drums playing by those talented students allowed us all to move as one tightened chain. Performing in front of the City Hall of our city, San Francisco, motivated me toward respecting the Korean culture even more. It is teamwork; it is a great example of all that can be achieved by teamwork. All of that is for what? This chain we nicely created is for whom? For war? For a country? No, it is all for the groom and bride; servants, guests, family members, close friends, and others, all are preforming for them. To remind them how much we love them, of the importance of marriage, and to welcome them to their new nest; from which they will begin creating a life together.

After the rehearsal, we performed all the way from the City Hall of San Francisco to inside the Asian Art Museum towards Samsung Hall. The audiences were witnessing the birth of a new family and witnessing how we all are content for the groom and bride. It was indeed a memorable day in the history of the Asian Art Museum, as it opened its own museum door in 2003, after decades being part of de Young Museum, they started with Goryeo dynasty. Ten years later, today in 2013, they celebrated the tenth anniversary with Joseon dynasty with a magnificent Korean traditional wedding reenactment. I did not talk about the traditional custom of the Korean wedding but wanted to share the harmony we all had in the heart of San Francisco City. This great event was brought to life under the vision of the Asian Art Museum team, its crucial volunteer members, and the professional support of our honorable guests from Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation in South Korea.

Few hours to prepare, few minutes to perform, and then we all left to return to our homes. Some of us will meet up again and many of us will cherish these moments we shared. The Korean wedding ceremony is a great example of the value of teamwork.

As a non-Korean, wearing the Korean attire Hanbok 한복 and performing in an authentic wedding further motivated my interest in Korean culture and made me feel like I was one of them, if only for a few minutes. I was moved while moving with the performers from the City Hall to the museum, I thought of the Korean community as one nation and I hoped that the North Koreans will one day be released out of their cage and be reunited into one Korea, as it should be.

I am not Korean so please correct me if I had any misconception — Warmest regards, Wasel Choi