| 
Foreigners may feel left out of the New Year's Day festivities, especially if they do not have any families in Korea. Fortunately, there are several places where foreign residents and tourists can go during the holidays to learn more about Seollal.
One of the best places to learn about the various Korean customs, games and traditions in Seoul is at the Namsangol Hanok Village The village is holding a ``Magnificent Festival Wishing Prosperity for the Year of the Ox'' from Jan. 25-27. Various folk music performances, folk games, food tasting, exhibitions and demonstration of Korean customs will be conducted during the three-day event.
Visitors can learn how to wear a hanbok properly, make ``wish kites'' and other Korean crafts, cut ``garaetteok'' (tube-shaped rice cakes), eat rice cakes, drink ``makgeoli'' or rice wine and even have a ``Tojeongbigyeol'' expert read their fortune for the year.
On Jan. 25, visitors will be taught etiquette and the rules of charye table setting. On Jan. 26, there are performances featuring Pyeongtaek farmer's music and tightrope walking, while on Jan. 27, there is a Bongsan mask dance and Dongchun circus. To get there, get off at Chungmuro Station Subway Line 3 or 4, Exit 3 or 4. Visit www.hanokmaeul.org.
The Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is also a place to learn about the different customs and traditions during Lunar New Year. Adults and children alike can play traditional games, enjoy entertaining folk performances and make their wishes for the New Year.
There is an on-going ``folk experiences for winter'' event at the village, through Feb. 17. People can find out what it's like to experience their ancestors' winter through activities like roasting sweet potatoes, top spinning on ice, sledding and cooking red bean gruel. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for students and 8,000 won for children. Visit www.koreanfolk.co.kr.
The Korea Tourism Organization office in downtown Seoul offers a range of Lunar New Year activities for free. Tourists can try their hand at folk games, make ``hanji'' or Korean paper and wear the hanbok from Jan. 22-27. The KTO building is located near the Cheonggye stream (Jonggak Station Line 1, Exit 5). Call (02) 729-9497.
At the Korean Folk Museum, located near Gyeongbok Palace, there is an on-going special exhibition of Korean artifacts and relics related to the Year of the Ox.

| | |