On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Jeonju was filled with warm smiles and the aroma of food.

The Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Family Center Project Group (Director Yun Myeong-suk), which operates the Jeonju City Family Center (Center Director Lee Hae-gyeong), successfully held the "Delicious Lunar New Year Cooking" event, part of the 2026 "Together in Jeonju" program, for international students and foreign residents on February 12, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Together Kitchen No. 3 of the Jeonju City Volunteer Center.

The venue was suffused with the savory aroma of freshly made tteokguk and the familiar touch of hands shaping dumplings, creating a strong Lunar New Year atmosphere. Participants cooked tteokguk together, exchanging New Year greetings, and made Chinese traditional Lunar New Year dumplings by hand while discussing each country's holiday customs and meanings. Despite different languages and cultures, the shared medium of holiday food facilitated natural communication and smiles.

This year, attention was drawn to a "gat-shaped keyring making" experience that reflected Jeonju's regional symbolism. Participants carefully made keyrings, wishing for health and happiness in 2026, and enjoyed a meaningful time appreciating Jeonju's traditions and charm. Their bright smiles as they attached the handmade keyrings to their bags reflected the special excitement and warmth of the Lunar New Year.

The event served as more than a simple cooking experience. It provided a multicultural exchange platform where international students could personally experience Korea's Lunar New Year culture and deepen their understanding of Korean society, while Korean participants encountered Chinese Lunar New Year culture and learned to respect and empathize with each other's cultures. Sharing food and offering New Year wishes across nationalities and cultures deepened the meaning of a "shared Lunar New Year."

Lee Hae-gyeong, Center Director of the Jeonju City Family Center, said, "It was a warm time in which international students and foreign residents experienced Korea's holiday culture and came to understand and empathize with each other's cultures. We will continue our efforts to create a community where members from diverse cultural backgrounds come together and share happiness."