At Anyang Hogye Gymnasium, many volunteers and athletes are wearing the same multicolored bracelet. Volunteers from Anyang City had come together and made the bracelets called “Jang-myung-roo” to make a bit of Korean tradition known to participants in the Inheon Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

“We made around 200-300 bracelets together. International athletes like it when we give the bracelets to them, and they sometimes give their national badges in return,” said Mi-kyung Kim, a volunteer at the bowling venue.

“Jang-myung-roo” is a traditional Korean bracelet made of five colored threads -- red, yellow, blue, black and white. The bracelet is supposed to increase its wearer‘s longevity and health.

“We thought it would be a good idea to give them out to international athletes. Everyone likes receiving gifts.”

Kim Joo-hyun
(jully27@heraldcorp.com)