Kim Hye-kyung Makes Songpyeon in New York for Chuseok... "It’s Turned Into a Dumpling—This Is a Problem," Drawing Laughter

  【Financial News, New York (U.S.) = Reporter Choi Jong-geun】Kim Hye-kyung shared a sense of warmth and connection with home on Sept. 23 (local time) by making songpyeon with Korean women in New York. She also listened to the stories of attendees who had overcome hardships and built lives in a foreign land, expressing her continued interest and support.
Kim Hye-kyung, who is visiting New York with President Lee Jae Myung to attend the 81st UN General Assembly, attended the Chuseok songpyeon-making event held at the Korean Cultural Center New York in cooperation with the New York Family Counseling Center, Cheong Wa Dae Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing.
The New York Family Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization established in 1989 to prevent domestic violence and support victims. It provides counseling, legal and housing assistance, and vocational training, serving as a safety net for the Korean community.
Wearing colorful traditional aprons with the attendees, Kim Hye-kyung said, "I am reminded of memories from my childhood, when my mother and relatives would sit together in a circle and make songpyeon before the holidays," adding, "I hope this will be a place where we can openly and candidly share happy, sad and joyful stories."
The attendees shared their own memories, saying, "It has been 30 years since I last made songpyeon" and "This is my first time making it." Kim Hye-kyung also joked about her own songpyeon, saying, "It’s turned into a dumpling—this is a problem," and continued the conversation naturally.
Later, as the attendees shared songpyeon, jeon and sikhye, they opened up about the difficulties they had faced in an unfamiliar land and how they had overcome them. One attendee said, "I struggled as a single mother, but participating in the counseling center’s programs gave me great comfort by reminding me that I was not alone," adding, "I want to help single mothers who face similar difficulties in the future."
Another attendee became teary-eyed and said, "It feels as though I have come home to my parents’ house." She spoke about learning English at the counseling center and having a book published featuring her own writing, saying, "I gained great comfort and confidence."
Kim Hye-kyung said, "I hope today was not simply a time spent making songpyeon, but also an opportunity to share warmth and affection," adding, "I hope you will not forget that there are people by your side who will reach out to one another and support each other. I will always cheer you on."
The government plans to provide information on applications for Overseas Koreans Agency support programs and devise support measures, including an increase in next year’s budget for overseas Korean assistance.

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