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A South Korean fun park is sending 30 of its staff to Santa school to perfect their chuckle and fine-tune their carolling before Christmas.
Christmas is celebrated in a big way in South Korea, home to one of Asia's largest Christian populations, and officials at Everland park, an hour's drive south of Seoul, said they wanted to make sure their visitors got the most out of the holiday.
"They will act like Santa Claus, operating a daily school for children, presenting gifts, laughs and memories to our customers in this amusement park," said Santa school lecturer Choi Mi-yeon.
During the course, Santa wannabes are taught the proper festive dancing, singing, chuckling and how to say "merry Christmas" as chirpily as possible.
They are also coached in the best use of fake snow.
One Santa student said the experience was a dream come true.
"As a child, I dreamed of Santa Claus. Now I have become one," said 26-year-old Choi Ki-soo.
- REUTERS