Global Families of Gwangju Halloween Party: An Interview with Kelly Palmer Kim and Jeffrey Hamilton

Fall is a season of celebrations and festivals, but for some international residents living in Korea, there is one spooky festival that is conspicuously absent. Halloween is perhaps one of the more popular holidays in the Western world and is inextricably intertwined with memories of one’s childhood. Living as we do in Korea, it is easy to see the barriers to celebrating this festival on your own. Besides the absence of a cultural background for the holiday in the general populace, the very nature of Korean living (massive apartment complexes versus single-family housing) preclude easy participation in this event. However, in order to give their own children cherished Halloween memories overseas, the Global Families of Gwangju (GFOG) has put together its own Halloween celebration, and Kelly Palmer Kim and Jeffrey Hamilton share about their event.

Tell me a little about this event. What is it, and what is the vision behind it? What is the purpose of having this party?

Jeffery: Well, it all started out of with the idea that just because Kelly and I were not in our home country, we could not enjoy what home has to offer as children. And first and foremost it meant all the great memories [we had of] dressing up as kids for Halloween and going trick-or-treating. I remember as a child having my mother making me a Gizmo costume from “Gremlins” and going door-to-door to get candy. Kelly and I did not want our children to miss out on that experience. After realizing the logistics of having kids go door-to-door for candy was going to be near impossible, we decided on having a barbecue with other members of the foreign community who had children. As the years went on, the event got bigger and bigger so we decided to open it up to the entire Gwangju community.

Now it is so much more than having our kids put on costumes. This is an opportunity for children here to take part in an authentic Western experience. From a language standpoint, the kids can use this time to use the language they have learned at school. The kids use English to ask how to play games, order popcorn or simply communicate with other people at the festival. It is a chance for some of the Korean volunteers to use their English as well and also a chance for people to get together and enjoy a wonderful Halloween party.

When did this event first start, and how long has it been going on? How did it first start?

Jeffery: This is our fifth year holding this event as the Global Families of Gwangju. What amazes Kelly and I so much is the reaction from the community and all the help and support we have received from them. It is no small secret that Gwangju has some of the best, most caring people in the country and we count on them tremendously to help make these events bigger and more special each year.

What is your role in making this event happen?

Jeffery: At first, Kelly and I did quite a lot — from finding the venue, making the games, purchasing all of the food and prizes, to running the festival. Now with all the support from members of the community who have taken ownership in these events, we have been able to delegate more of the jobs and are working to make sure that a proper support system is in place for people to have the resources to make the Halloween and Spring festival [happen]. For instance, the Halloween festival would not be what it is without Joel Klimas, Chris Bleeker, Erin Heath, Lisa Mynhardt, Rohan Lewis, Vanessa McLellan, GIC, Robert Holley and the entire Kwangju Foreign School staff.

Should people come costumed to this event? What have been the most interesting or bizarre costumes that you have seen?

Kelly: Kids and parents are definitely encouraged to dress up for the party. This year we will be giving away prizes for the scariest costume and the funniest costume. We have had lots of great costumes over the years, for example, Mr. Spam, and the Ice King from the TV show “Adventure Time.” One really cool mom even dressed her sons up like the members of the band Kiss. Let your kids wear whatever they want to wear. It does not have to be a monster or a witch. Let them use their imagination and have fun. This year’s event promises to be an exciting one. We will have Halloween crafts, a black light dance party, a smartphone based scavenger hunt, a tattoo station, a kiddie corner for the little ones and tons of great games for kids to play, all created and crafted by our brilliant games manager Joel Klimas. This year we will try a trunk-or-treating experience where parents of the community will decorate their cars and hand out treats to kids.

The event will be held Saturday, October 29, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kwangju Foreign School, located at 106 Samsoro, Oryong Dong, Bukgu 61005.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit the GFOG Facebook Page or contact Kelly Palmer Kim directly.