Korean Culture

안녕하세요 여려분! Welcome to our Meetup series for Korean/English Language Exchange. These meetups will be intended for serious language learners who are at least at a conversational level in the language they wish to practice. We'll have a variety of activities targeted at fostering some significant practice time and perhaps have a little bit of cultural exchange along the way. For this Meetup, we ask that you make a decision with your RSVP by 10 AM the day of the meetup, so as to give others a chance to attend if you can't make it. For this session: We're returning to a favorite food hall of ours in H Mart in Fairfax! For the first half hour or so, as people gather and find food/seats, talk freely to each other and try to introduce yourself with everyone in the language you're practicing or catch up if you with friends you know! Once everyone gets settled into groups, take turns at the table allowing everyone to answer the following prompts: **Prompt #1:** TBD **Prompt #2**: TBD After the activity above, feel free to continue practicing in conversation as you wish, but if so inclined, try one of the activities below: A.) Two truths and a lie about (fill in the blank)......decide as a group on a topic for group play and have each person take turns giving two true statements and one false statement in any order and allow others to guess which statement is false B.) Word association......start by naming a common word and go around the table as long as you can with each person giving a word (in the language that you're practicing) that is COMMONLY associated with the previous word given. If the group calls you out, be ready to defend your answer. C.) Story time.......start off telling the first sentence of a story and go around the table letting each person add a line to the story until you reach the end...or a breaking point. D.) Ditto.......Each player will need to be able to write on paper or an electronic device for this one. Have one person pick a category of common nouns (ex. vegetables, sports equipment, things you see at the circus, etc.) and have another person pick a starting consonant (or vowel, if playing in English). Allow two minutes for everyone to write down as many nouns that both fit the selected category and start with the selected consonant/vowel. When two minutes are up, compare and contrast your answers. Whoever has the most matches wins. For further challenge, try playing the inverse way to achieve unique answers rather than matches. Another adventure may break out afterwards if the group is so inclined. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

*Thank you to everyone who came out to the inaugural meeting of Hwatu Hangout in January! It was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all again and hopefully some new faces as well\~* 😊 **FOR BEGINNERS** If you've ever seen Korean movies or K-dramas, you may have seen characters play with small red cards decorated with flowers and animals. Those cards are called "hwatu" or flower cards. The most popular game played with hwatu is "Go-Stop". Come to this next Hwatu Hangout (Plum Blossom Edition!), and learn how to play this awesome game. It can take some time to orient yourself with the cards and rules, but once you do, there's no turning back. It's major fun. **FOR EXPERIENCED PLAYERS** No Tazza-style deck rigging or hand chopping. Most importantly, *no gambling*. We may play with plastic chips to raise the faux stakes, but that's it! If you'd like to skip the lesson/demo, then please arrive at 2p for game play. **THE PLAN** * **1:00p - 1:40p**: Learn how to play * **1:40p - 2:00p**: Demo Game * **2:00p - 4:00p**: Game play **THE LOCATION** We will be meeting again at Fairfax Wegmans on the 2nd Floor. You will find the stairs past the cafe/bakery/prepared foods section to the left of the building! **BEFORE ATTENDING** If you haven't already, please complete [this interest form](https://forms.gle/BNyZuZSZBzmDKQNA7). I will bring some hwatu decks, but please bring a deck if you have one. Questions? Send an email to hwatuhangout (at) gmail (dot) com Hope to see you there! Eunice

## Time & Location Feb 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST Fairfax, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033, USA ## About the event We can't believe a new Lunar New year is coming ## 2026 Celebrate the Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse at Fair Oaks Mall As we approach the Lunar New Year, it's time to embrace the festivities and welcome the Year of the Horse! This vibrant celebration symbolizes strength, freedom, and adventure, making it a perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends. ### Mark Your Calendars Join us at Fair Oaks Mall to celebrate this special occasion. Here are the details: * **Date:** 02/21/2026 & 2/22/26 * **Time:** 1 pm - 5 pm EST * **Location:** Fair Oaks Mall ### Festivities Await Expect a day filled with exciting activities, cultural performances, delicious food, and traditional games. It's a wonderful chance to experience the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year and create lasting memories. We look forward to celebrating together and welcoming the Year of the Horse in style!

KPot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot opened in November. I have not eaten there but have a 20% off coupon for groups of 8 or more. Why not give it a try? **THE RULES:** * Everyone at the table must have the Korean BBQ and Hot Pot option. * The cost will be approximately $30 plus tax and tip. * I will pay the entire food bill and EVERYONE will pay me back in Cash or Venmo. * Drinks will be paid for by the individuals who ordered them. * Space is limited! If you sign up and then can't make it please update your RSVP. * Do not sign up if you do not agree to the rules listed above. [Click here to view their website](https://thekpot.com/) Let's be adventurous and have fun!

Welcome to Casual Dining Out, the event series where we explore counterserve establishments, food halls, and other venues for quick bites of Asian, "fusion", and other fare! As in the past, the field for these events will typically be limited, so please RSVP quickly if you know you're coming (or drop out quickly if you can't make it to give others a chance). RSVPs will close at 4 PM the day of the event and anyone who drops afterwards may be subject to the dreaded "no show" designation. This edition: a unique place that serves Liuzhou-style luosifen (river snail soup) and other Chinese/Taiwanese delicacies. [https://www.yanzinoodle.com/](https://www.yanzinoodle.com/) As always, a bonus activity could follow if the mood is right. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

Come and enjoy a friendly and lively Korean conversation for a half priced glass of wine and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of Korean language speakers, from novice to native fluency.