How to Take a Korean Culture Class in Seoul in English

Yes, foreigners can take a traditional Korean culture class in Seoul in English, and no Korean or art experience is needed. On HanBuddy, artist Damdamhi teaches two such classes in Korean, English and Japanese in Jamsil: Hangeul calligraphy, where you write your name on a hanging scroll, and minhwa folk painting, where you paint a traditional design to take home. Calligraphy takes about 110 minutes and minhwa about 2 to 3 hours, and all materials are prepared. Class details are as listed on HanBuddy's activity pages on November 8, 2026.

Calligraphy or minhwa: which class fits you?

Both classes are seated, hands-on and end with a finished piece. The difference is what you make and how long you spend on it.

If you are short on time or want a gift with a name on it, choose calligraphy. If you want to spend an afternoon painting and like the idea of symbols with hidden meanings, choose minhwa.

HanBuddy's classes with artist Damdamhi

HanBuddy is a platform that connects travelers and foreign residents in Korea with local buddies, Korean locals who host small-group experiences. Damdamhi is the buddy for both culture classes: an artist who has practiced calligraphy and minhwa for a long time and opened the classes to share Hangeul and Korean folk art with visitors.

• Area: 3rd floor, Rose Apartment Shopping Center A, Jamsil, Seoul. HanBuddy confirms the exact meeting spot by message before the day.
• Language of instruction: Korean, English and Japanese.
• Length: about 110 minutes for calligraphy; about 2 to 3 hours for minhwa.
• Group size: a small group.
• What is included: equipment rental; all materials are prepared, so you only need to bring yourself.
• What you take home: your scroll or your painting.
• How to book: pick a date on the calligraphy or minhwa page and pay online. The price is shown on each page.

What happens in the calligraphy class

The calligraphy activity page lists three steps:

1. Line practice (40 min). You learn about munbangsau, the "four treasures of the study", how to hold a brush, and draw lines until the brush feels familiar.
2. Phrase practice (50 min). You choose what to write, your name in Hangeul or a phrase with a positive meaning, and practice it.
3. Hanging scroll (20 min). You write the phrase on a jokja, stamp your seal and sign it. Anyone who wants more pieces can also finish additional postcards.

Damdamhi notes that the same letters look different depending on who writes them, so no two scrolls come out alike.

What happens in the minhwa class

Minhwa is the folk painting Koreans once made to wish for happiness, health, love and good fortune. You choose one of three designs:

• Morando (peonies): a flower painting symbolizing wealth, honor and happiness.
• Kkachi horangi (magpie and tiger): a humorous tiger painting said to bring good news and luck.
• Bok munjado: a decorated painting of the Hanja character 福 (bok) for happiness and good fortune.

The class starts with the stories behind the animals, flowers and colors. You then learn to use a traditional brush and go through the full process: transferring the outline, drawing lines and layering colors. Prepared outlines mean beginners can follow along, and the teacher guides you step by step at your own pace. At the end, you look at the finished pieces together and take photos.

Do you need to speak Korean or be good at art?

No. Both activity pages say the classes are for first-timers: it is fine if you do not know Hangeul at all, have never held a brush, or have no art experience. The teacher stays beside you through each step, and the class is hosted in Korean, English and Japanese.

How booking, payment and cancellation work

These rules come from HanBuddy's FAQ and apply to both classes:

• Payment: online with PayPal when you book. For another method, such as a Korean bank transfer, tap "Need another payment method?" on the booking page and message HanBuddy.
• Booking deadline: bookings close 24 hours before the class starts.
• Cancellation: before the buddy approves your booking, you get a full refund or the PayPal hold is released. After approval, you get a full refund at least 48 hours before the start, 50% from 24 to less than 48 hours before, and no refund within 24 hours. If the buddy cancels, you get a full refund.
• Questions: a real person at HanBuddy answers your messages before the day.

What to look for when choosing any culture class

Whichever class you consider, four questions decide whether it will work for you:

1. Is the class itself taught in your language, not just the booking page?
2. What do you leave with, and is it easy to carry home?
3. Are materials included, or do you need to bring or buy anything?
4. How long does it take, and does that fit the rest of your day?

Damdamhi's classes answer them this way: English instruction, a scroll or painting to take home, materials included, and about two to three hours.

If your preferred date is full

1. Check another date on the same activity page, which shows the dates you can book.
2. Switch to the other class. If minhwa is full on your day, calligraphy is shorter and may fit; if calligraphy is full, minhwa offers a longer session with the same teacher in the same place.
3. Browse HanBuddy's experiences for other activities hosted by local buddies.
4. Message HanBuddy from the booking page and ask about the dates you need.

Winter tips

Both classes take place inside, on the 3rd floor of a shopping building in Jamsil, so they make a good plan for a cold winter day. Because bookings close 24 hours ahead, book at least a day before you want to go rather than on the morning itself.

Book a class

• Write your name in Korean with calligraphy — about 110 minutes, a hanging scroll to take home.
• Korean folk art (minhwa) class — about 2 to 3 hours, a finished painting to take home.