LYNNWOOD – Morning Star Korean Culture Center does not blend into its surroundings. Those who helped bring about the new building, with upturned roof edges and heavy wooden doors, say it stands as an example of the Korean culture’s ability to thrive in America.
The new facility, much like Korean immigrants and their children, has roots in more than one culture.
Morning Star Korean Culture Center is a dance and music center under the direction of Jiyeon Cheh. It was founded in 1985 with the goal of teaching Korean culture to adoptees and first- and second-generation Koreans.
“Korean children need to grow up as Korean-American, not just Caucasian,” Cheh said. “If they have an identity, then they can be a leader for this community.”
In addition to serving as a studio for music and dance lessons, the center also doubles as a museum with traditional Korean artwork displayed.
Only recently has Cheh’s vision for the Korean-American community been truly realized with the completion of a new center. The facility, which took four years to finish from the day the property was bought to its completion this past summer, required Cheh to make some critical decisions.
Cheh said she considered buying a building, instead of having one built, but her husband, Rev. Chang Hyo Cheh, told her it would be for her generation, not the next. He advised her that children needed to be proud of a building, where Korean and American art could be combined.
“She built it for the children so she spent much more money to make it more beautiful so they would appreciate it when they grew up,” said Abby Benoit, the mother of two children who are involved in the center.
The cultural center, now in existence for over 18 years, was founded by both Cheh and her husband, a pastor at Bethany Korean Church. The couple first began teaching children from the church’s Sunday school class, and before long Cheh was holding a dance class once a week.
Practices were held at several locations for many years, including at the church and eventually in a studio behind the Cheh’s home. It wasn’t long before they outgrew the facility and began to plan for a new one.
“It takes a lot of time and we spent a lot of money,” Cheh said. “It was hard, but we did it.”
Cheh said another reason for building a new center was to enable the public to come and learn about Korean culture, instead of her students always traveling elsewhere. The group usually performs twice a month at schools, community events and governmental ceremonies. There is also one trip organized every year, when the students travel to such places as Australia and Vietnam.
She said when people come to the new center they will be exposed to authentic experiences, such as taking off their shoes and walking on a warm wood floor.
“They can see Korean furniture, paintings, instruments, and traditional costumes,” said Cheh. “And they can sit down and teachers will perform.”
The center has more than 60 students, and classes are held for young girls, teen-agers and adults. The majority of students are girls, yet several boys also participate.
Kaley Hansen, 23, is one of the five teachers at the center. She was adopted as a child, and her mother first enrolled her in classes at the age of 5.
Hansen said she has developed deep roots with the organization and feels it is a responsibility of hers to teach and show people in society the Korean art form.
“This is a way for me to be a part of my heritage.” Hansen said.
State Sen. Paull Shin, D-Mukilteo, who has been heavily involved in the Korean community, has personal ties with the Morning Star center. Shin was adopted by an American soldier during the Korean war. He worked to assist the Cheh’s in achieving their dream of a Korean cultural center.
Shinn said the completion of the new center is the result of many years of hard work, and is the epitome of an accomplishment of the Korean community. He said it is important that Korean-Americans become part of the mainstream, yet have their own values. Shinn described his metaphor for American integration as a tapestry, rather than the traditional melting pot.
“To me it is a beautiful tapestry; black, red and white threads,” Shinn said. “We make a beautiful piece of art all together.”
The Morning Star Korean cultural center in Lynnwood will officially open the doors to its new studio at a dedication ceremony 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25. For more information, contact Jiyeon Cheh at 425-745-9977, or visit www.morningstarkcc.org.
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