Every May in Grinnell, Iowa, home to a little less than 8 thousand people, Pulmuone Wildwood’s Culture Plant holds Korea Tiger Day for the students in Davis Elementary School. Our aim is to let the students know about Korea and become more familiarized with the country and culture.

This year, the event reached its third anniversary. Korean workers from Fullerton, California flew to spend the special day with 150 fourth graders. We had great fun teaching them to play a Korean traditional recreation called Jegi-Chagi(you try not to drop a jegi by kicking it up into the air), helping them learn Korean, trying Korean food together(such as Bul-gogi and Kimchi), having some Korean snacks, watching a video clip briefly introducing Korea, and mastering some fierce Tae-Gwon-Do moves.

It was especially touching to hear the students sing Korean nursery songs they had practiced beforehand, after a long and weary flight from Orange County. We justified our gratitude by presenting them with orange t-shirts with a map of the Korean peninsula printed on them. It was nice to see them have fun learning about our country and company, since nothing is more important than having a good time.

Ten of our most hardworking Pulmuone Wildwood people went to Korea for a visit in February this year, and according to their stories, they had a lot of fun. They first visited the Pulmuone headquarters in Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, and then afterwards met with our founder, Mr. Won. He was said to be fully dedicated to nurturing his neighbors and providing them with the fresh and organic produce we pride ourselves in. Of course, our employees simply could not leave Seoul without looking around some of the more famous sites as well.

Kimberly, our prized asset in accounting, is noted to have said in her interview how kind and loving Mr. Won was. Manisha was also delighted with one of the Korean dishes she tasted in Seoul. Toni was surprised by the vibrant nightlife of the city. Let’s hear some of what they have to say about the trip:

Q: What was the most memorable/favorite experience in Korea?
Kimberly: I was really impressed with how clean and organized the Eumsung factories and Samsung R&D centers were. I could have more faith in our products and it made me feel proud. Manisha: I enjoyed meeting Mr. Won and touring all the plants the most.
Toni: The very 1st minute the plane landed in Korea. Seeing that it was my 1st travel internationally and knowing that some people never travel outside the city or state in which they live, it was an honor just to participate. The physical part of trip would be “Ringing the Huge Bell in the center of City of Seoul. Never had I seen such a large bell up close and also get to sound it.

Q: What was one culture shock?
Kimberly: I’m Korean so I did not have any culture shock. But everything was expensive and Seoul had a lot of cars.
Manisha: I had no culture shock. I’ve traveled before.
Toni: The language and then the night life! I never imagined the hours of night life in Korea and especially during the middle of work/school week. It seemed like everyone slept in the day and after night fall, everyone would come out.

Q: What was your impression of the founder, Mr. Won?
Kimberly: His loving nature for his neighbors was unbelievable. I think this spirit is reflected in all of our products. It’s like how mothers would cook for their children. They would want them to have only the best.
Manisha: Mr. Won was very hospitable, warm-hearted, and kind. It was very memorable.
Toni: WOW! If I am blessed, I want to live to be his age and look as happy, vibrant, and healthy. His appearance is of a caring human being. What a great man, an essence of a man.

Q: If you had to recommend a traditional Korean dish, what would it be?
Kimberly: I would choose Noo-reung-ji, which is a kind of dessert for Koreans. It is rice leftover in the rice cooker, immersed in boiled water. It is very refreshing and helps your digestion after a meal.
Manisha: I liked the Bu-chim-gae best, which is a kind of Korean pancake made with vegetables, meat, spice, and sometimes seafood.
Toni: Soft Tofu spicy soup… Great with rice on side!