Update from penpals in South Korea

1) We want unity
We live in a land that is divided into North and South Korea. On June 25,1950 to 1953, there was a war between China and North Korea and the U.S.A and South Korea. The war never really ended but, the land was split into two parts.Somerville, North Korean people visit our school and its really hard to hear the story of their lives. Soon, we hope that South and North Korea will reunify. We live in the South and we have technology and a good way of life. We are lucky, but North Korea is poor and unlucky. We want unity so we can help the North Koreans. We hope this will happen soon.

2.) K-pop

K-pop is Korean pop music. K-pop is very popular in Korea and around the world. Now, we will tell you some of our favorite K-pop bands. Mblack is the first band. Mblack is very handsome. My favorite song is Mona Lisa because in the video, they dance very well. Next is Infinite. Infinite is also very handsome and cute. Infinite is more handsome than Mblack. My favorite song is Paradise because their voices are very good in this song. B1A4 is also very cute. B1A4 is cuter than Infinite. My favorite song is Beautiful target because they write good lyrics.

3.) Korean Food

We will tell you about Korean food. Our favorite food is kimchi, bulgogi and topokki. Now, we will tell you how to make topokki. To make topokki, first you boil water. Next, put rice cake in the water. After that, put hot sauce in the water. Next, put sugar in the water. And put [something] in the water. Next, add vegetables and garlic in the water.

4.) School

Korean students walk to school at 8:00am but American students go to school by bus at 8:00am. Korean students’ hair must be short and they must wear uniforms but American students can have long hair and no uniforms. Korean students cannot wear make-up but American students have colorful make-up. Korean students have name tags but American students do not have name tags. After school, Korean students go to academy but American students do not go to academy.

5.) Culture

On festival days, Koreans wear Hanbok. Hanbok is traditional Korean clothing. Hanbok is beautiful. Korea is 5,000 years old. Two thousand years ago, Koreans invented ondol heating. Ondol is a traditional Korean heating. Ondol heats houses by heating the floor. Koreans still use ondol and their houses are very warm. Many people in Korea are Buddhist. Korean Buddhist temples are beautiful. They are harmonious with nature. Buddhism influences Korean culture.