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Wrapping a gift with love, the Korean way — learn the art of bojagi for free in LA
By Angela Kim at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 19, 2026
· 3 min read
Three gifts wrapped in the traditional Korean art form of bojagi.(Angela Kim / LAist)Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude. In Korean culture, traditional gift-wrapping — or bojagi — is just as important a gesture. One Korean American artist in Los Angeles is sharing the gif...
Key takeaway (Angela Kim / LAist)Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The free bojagi workshops at the Pio Pico Koreatown branch of Los Angeles Public Library may have sold out, but the interest they've generated suggests a deeper appetite in the community for cultural exchange and traditional craftsmanship. As the city's Korean American population continues to grow and thrive, initiatives like Ellen Lee's workshops help to foster a sense of connection to heritage and community. The fact that Lee's classes have drawn enough interest to warrant a waitlist and plans for future sessions also highlights the potential for public libraries to serve as vibrant hubs for cultural programming and education. As the city looks to support and celebrate its diverse cultural landscape, the success of programs like Lee's bojagi workshops could inform future efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding and community engagement in Los Angeles. The library's role in hosting these workshops also underscores the importance of accessible public spaces in facilitating cultural exchange and education.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Three gifts wrapped in the traditional Korean art form of bojagi.(Angela Kim / LAist)Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude. In Korean culture, traditional gift-wrapping — or bojagi — is just as important a gesture. One Korean American artist in Los Angeles is sharing the gif...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Angela Kim at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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