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More than 100,000 people braved freezing temperatures in central Seoul on New Year's Eve to witness the traditional ringing of the famous Bosingak Bell, by 11 distinguished citizens, including Ilchi Lee, to usher in the New Year of 2008 for the nation. Also, this celebrational ceremony was broadcast live throughout South Korea, thus giving the bell ringing a significance similar to the dropping of the ball in Times Square, New York City.
 Bosingak Bell is rung 33 times by 11 key South Korean citizen; Ilchi Lee second from right The ancient bronze bell, housed in the Bosin Pavilion, is rung 33 times to mark the transition to the New Year. Under the Joseon Dynasty, the bell was rung several times a day. In modern times, the bell is rung only at midnight on New Year's Day.
At the end of every year, the Seoul city government selects 11 persons who have brightened South Korea during that year, and ask them to ring the historic bell. In 2007, Ilchi Lee was honored to be among them. Seoul stated that in selecting him it was honoring his creation of brain-oriented training and his sharing Korean culture with the world.
 11 South Korean citizens honored to ring the Bosingak Bell; Ilchi Lee sixth from right Lee said that he hopes all people will be healthy and happy in 2008. He said he imagines the normal brain waves were disseminated with the wave that the bell created.
Ilchi Lee rang the Bell with Dr. Kyu Hyung Jung, who takes care of about 300 patients every year and volunteered to serve in Uzbekistan for free, and Mi Ra Park, who helped her handicapped son commute to the University and graduate school for six years.
The Joseon Dynasty, also called Chosun, ruled the Korean Peninsula as a sovereign state lasted, 1392-1910, making it the longest Confucian dynasty. It was the last of the dynasties, first royal and after 1897 imperial, to govern.
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