(KPL/ Yonhap) Overseas Korean Cultural Centers are celebrating the Lunar New Year with events where visitors can experience both traditional and contemporary Korean culture, including opportunities to play children's games featured in Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2.

The events, organized by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, are taking place at 22 cultural centers in 20 countries worldwide.

"With the recent release of 'Squid Game' Season 2, global interest in traditional Korean games has grown," said Choi Bo-geun, director of the ministry's international cultural promotion policy department. "So, we have prepared various events to allow participants to experience Korean culture firsthand in celebration of the Lunar New Year holiday."

The Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., is partnering with the Smithsonian American Art Museum to host events from Feb. 1-7, where families with children and fans of Korean culture can experience both traditional and contemporary Korean culture.

The program includes traditional Korean performances, like "samulnori," a percussion ensemble, and "sangmo," hat spinning. Additionally, exhibitions featuring globally popular Korean pop cultural content and a K-pop promotion zone are also planned.

The Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles hosted a hanbok (traditional clothing) try-on event and tea tasting on Saturday. From Feb. 1-2, it will collaborate with the Huntington Library to present cultural performances for showcasing Asian culture and art education programs.

Similar events will also be held in Europe.

On Wednesday, Lunar New Year's Day, the Korean Cultural Center in Germany will offer traditional Korean games, such as "gonggi," a variation of the five-stones game seen in "Squid Game" Season 2; "yutnori," a traditional board game; and "jegichagi," a foot-shuttlecock game. Participants will also be served "tteokguk," rice cake soup traditionally eaten during the holiday.

The Korean Cultural Center in Italy will host a traditional Korean music and dance performance on the same day. Sweden's cultural center plans a hanbok exhibition and a traditional Korean cultural performance for Korean culture enthusiasts and students at the republic of Korea's state-supported Korean language centers on Jan. 30.

KPL