Gyeongsang National University, College of Humanities Department of Classical Chinese Literature 31st Traditional Ceremony and Rite Demonstration

A student from the Department of Classical Chinese Literature at Gyeongsang National University demonstrating a traditional coming-of-age ceremony.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Gyeongsang National University held the 31st Traditional Coming-of-Age and Gyerye Ceremony demonstration event on the 16th at 2 p.m. at the Etiquette Education Hall on the Gajwa Campus in celebration of Coming-of-Age Day.

This year's event was conducted as a humanities etiquette program with citizens and university students participating under the national university promotion project, 'GNU Citizen College of Humanities.'

The event proceeded in the order of opening ceremony, coming-of-age ceremony demonstration, and gyerye ceremony demonstration. The coming-of-age ceremony is a type of Seongnyeonrye (成年禮) that confirms reaching adulthood; men wear a sangtu hairstyle and a gat, while women style their hair in a jjeok and insert a binyeo.

The Department of Chinese Literature at Gyeongsang National University has demonstrated the traditional coming-of-age ceremony annually since 1990. The purpose is to learn the duties to be upheld as respectable adults.

In the 2022 traditional coming-of-age ceremony demonstration, the master of the ceremony was Koo Do-young (1st year student) from the Department of Chinese Literature, the sangrye was led by Professor Jeon Byung-chul from the same department, and the master of rites was Kang Won-ki, Jeonju Hyanggyo Jeongyo. For the gyerye ceremony demonstration, the master of the ceremony was Kim Ga-eun (1st year student) from the Department of Chinese Literature, the sangrye was Professor Lee Mi-jin from the same department, and the master of rites was Professor Kang Jeong-hwa from the Department of Chinese Literature.

Professor Lee Mi-jin, head of the Department of Chinese Literature, explained, "The traditional coming-of-age and gyerye ceremonies are important rites imbued with the wisdom of our ancestors, intended to make those entering adulthood aware of social moral consciousness and a sense of responsibility."

She added, "The Department of Chinese Literature annually demonstrates the coming-of-age and gyerye ceremonies to revive beautiful traditional culture and to awaken pride and responsibility in those who have reached adulthood."

President Kwon Soon-ki stated, "Before becoming an adult, one worries within the protective fence of parents and family, but after becoming an adult, one must take responsibility for their actions and also contemplate and act for the future of the nation and humanity."

He continued, "In the past, after performing the coming-of-age and gyerye ceremonies, people raised their speech levels and bowed respectfully as a sign of becoming an adult. Encouragement and support from the older generation make Coming-of-Age Day more meaningful."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.