Hanwha Life hosts youth mentoring event with Yale a cappella group

Yale a cappella group Whim 'n Rhythm engages with students through a youth mentoring program at the Hanwha Building in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Hanwha Life

Hanwha Life said Monday that it hosted the "Dream Mentoring: Together We Dream," event in collaboration with Yale University's a cappella group Whim 'n Rhythm at the Hanwha Building in Seoul on Saturday.

Now in its third year, the program offers guidance and inspiration to young people pursuing their goals. This year, 56 participants were selected through an open call for personal stories.

Fourteen student members of Whim 'n Rhythm served as mentors, alongside 14 Korean university students affiliated with English-language volunteer groups.

Founded in 1981 as Yale’s first all-female a cappella group, Whim 'n Rhythm is dedicated to using music as a vehicle for community outreach and continues to support underserved areas through various musical initiatives.

The Yale students, serving as one-day mentors, kicked off the event with a lively a cappella performance. Following the performance, mentor Marie Bong, a cognitive science major, delivered a keynote speech on the importance of pursuing one’s dreams.

A mentor speaks to participants in a program held at the Hanwha Building in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Hanwha Life

Sharing her personal journey of moving to the U.S. alone at the age of 7, she said, "Having many different dreams gave me the courage to keep challenging myself, and striving toward those dreams brought me invaluable experiences and meaningful relationships."

The event also featured small-group sessions, where students engaged in one-on-one conversations with mentors. As they listened to stories of perseverance and achievement, the students were encouraged to envision their own futures.

They also took part in an activity called the "Dream Journey Map," where they illustrated their goals and aspirations within a global context.

"Going forward, we will continue to provide career mentoring opportunities and offer multifaceted support to help future leaders grow into global talents," said Hong Jeong-pyo, vice president of Hanwha Life's communications office.