This spring, three happy stories came from South Korea. There was a big flower festival, a panda birthday, and a very special graduation.
Every spring, millions of people visit Seoul to see the cherry blossoms. The pink and white flowers make the city look beautiful. This year, record numbers of people came to enjoy them. One of the best places to see the flowers is Yeouido, a district along the Han River. Families, couples, and friends gathered there to eat food, take photos, and enjoy the warm weather. In Korean, this tradition is called 벚꽃놀이 (beotkkot nori).
In Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, baby pandas at Everland Zoo celebrated their first birthday. Everland is a large theme park owned by Samsung. The pandas have been very popular with visitors since they were born. Giant pandas are very hard to have babies in a zoo, so the first birthday was a big moment. The celebration also helped people learn more about protecting wild animals.
The most touching story is about a 92-year-old grandmother who got her college degree this spring. She had wanted to study at university for many years, but she had to wait. She never gave up on her dream. South Korea values education very much, and her graduation made many people feel proud. Her story was shared widely on social media. Many people admired her because she showed that it is never too late to learn.
These three stories all happened in spring. They show what is important in South Korea: nature, animals, and learning.