Join us for The New Beginnings: Golden Jubilee of the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, an exhibition of diverse works of art celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington (HMAAGW) organization in 1975, on view May 15 through June 20, 2025.   Co-hosted by HMAAGW and the KCCDC, this commemorative exhibition honors five decades of artistic practice, cultural heritage, and the spirit of community among Korean-American artists from throughout the Washington, D.C. region.   The New Beginnings offers more than a mere retrospective. Featuring works by 48 artists spanning several generations, from founding members to HMAAGW’s emerging young artists, the exhibition reflects on real experiences of migration history, personal memory, individual transformation, and future renewal. Together, these artists navigate the duality of identity in a shifting world and advance HMAAGW’s commitment to cultural dialogue and artistic progress.   Founded in 1975 by a group of first-generation Korean immigrant artists, HMAAGW has served as a primal platform for creative discourse and cross-cultural exchange between Korea and the United States. Through a wide range of media—including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and digital art—HMAAGW artist have explored the evolution of Korean American identity across generations and the unvarnished experiences of the Korean diaspora, fueling the regional art scene with unique and dynamic perspectives.   This exhibition marks both a milestone and a new chapter for HMAAGW. Serving as a moment of reflection and renewal, The New Beginnings aims to solidify the organization’s historical legacy while also presenting a future vision rooted in connection, creativity, and continued exchange between cultures and generations.   The public is invited to join in celebrating this remarkable milestone in Korean American art history. The New Beginnings offers a rare opportunity to experience the diversity of Korean-American artistic voices that both reflect on the past and imagine the future, while bearing witness to the enduring strength of community, creativity, and cultural exchange.   The New Beginnings will remain on view at the KCCDC during regular visitor hours from Thursday, May 15 through Friday, June 20, 2025. For extended evening hours, visit during ArtWalk Dupont’s First Friday community event on Friday, June 6 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.). Additional exhibition details and related events will be made available on the KCCDC website as they are announced.   About the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington   The Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington (HMAAGW) is comprised of Korean American artists who have immigrated to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area throughout the past half century. In 1975, 15 artists living in the region founded HMAAGW as an organization to benefit artists with Korean heritage and to exhibit their unique works, fostering mutual encouragement as they pursued their passion for art together.   HMAAGW members have exhibited their work through individual and group exhibitions in various museums and galleries across the Washington, D.C. area as well as in international locations for 50 years. Such venues include the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., Baltimore Art Center, Historical Society of Washington D.C., Maryland Hall, and Harmony Hall Regional Center. Works of some members are held in permanent collections at various museums.   Members are inspired to showcase their limitless visions, commitment, and individual creativity in order to share the spirit and culture of Korean Americans living in the United States Capital region. HMAAGW strives to pass on Korean cultural heritage to future generations, to enrich the community with cultural diversity, and to increase awareness of Korean American culture within the metropolitan region. For more information, visit www.hmaagw.org. Artwork Details Komelia H. Okim, Promenade in the Forest, Wall Relief 2023-‘24 Digital printing on Fabric, Silver figures, plexiglass cover 38 x 22 X 5.3 in. Jinchul Kim Sequoia 2019 Oil on canvas 24 x 30 in. Tae D Kim-James  Bellona Excavated: A Fictional Archaeology of Power and Identity 2025 Three-Dimensional Composition; Biobased Plastic, Personal Object 31 × 20 x 13 in. Jinsoon Oh  Gaia – Psyche 2024 Cone 6 stoneware 17 x 8 x 6 in. Yoonsun Lim Eve's Chat, 5 units 2024 Clay & Glaze 18 x 26 x 25 in. Sunhee Kim Jung Unseen on Eyes 9 2025 Oil on canvas   48 x 24 in. 

We are excited to introduce the newly established traditional market display in the Media Room on the first floor of the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. The wall features scenes from Seoul's Gwangjang Market and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market, along with iconic Korean street foods such as tteokbokki and various Korean side dishes. Visitors are also welcome to freely try on a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) during their visit to the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C..

Join us for Unfolding Koreanness: Exploring Identity in the Age of Migration, a special group exhibition by Georgia-based guest curator Sang Dae Lee, winner of the KCCDC Open Call for Artists, exploring what it means to be Korean through the multidisciplinary practices of six featured artists. The exhibition kicks off with a public opening reception and talk on March 14 featuring curator Sang Dae Lee and featured artist Robert J. Fouser in person.   In a world where migration is increasingly shaped by personal choice rather than economic or political forces, questions of identity and belonging have taken on new urgency. People are not only moving across borders but also navigating the complexities of settling into new cultural contexts, further blurring transnational boundaries. Drawing on Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory and Erik Erikson’s perspectives on identity formation, Unfolding Koreanness investigates the ongoing struggles and negotiations inherent in reconciling one’s origins with the realities of a new environment.   The exhibition features six distinct artists from across the United States: Gayageum musician Hwayoung Shon, media artist Inhye Lee, documentary filmmaker Miriam Kim, linguist and photographer Robert J. Fouser, architect Sung Goo Yang, and textile artist Wonju Seo. Each offers a unique interpretation of Koreanness, reflecting on their personal and collective journeys. Key works include an installation utilizing components of the traditional Gayageum zither, textile art reinterpreting traditional Hanbok clothing and Jogakbo patchwork crafts, and a documentary film on belonging and memory.   Through these six individuals’ diverse works, Unfolding Koreanness moves beyond static definitions of identity, instead fostering empathy and shared understanding within the Korean diaspora and beyond. It incorporates personal narratives, collective histories, and cross-cultural dialogues as a multidisciplinary showcase to reimagine what it means to belong in an increasingly fluid and interconnected world.   This exhibition traces the many experiences of Korean immigrants abroad, exploring how memories of migration, cultural clashes, and shifting values shape their identities in a globalized world. It aims to provide deeper cultural insight not only into the expanding Korean diaspora but also spaces infused with traces of Korean heritage. Join us to uncover and reconnect the evolving tapestry of identity that derives from migration and discover how stories of the Korean immigrant experience can inspire deeper conversations about culture, memory, and our place in a transnational society.   Unfolding Koreanness remains on view from Friday, March 14 through Saturday, May 3, 2025, with a public opening reception and talk featuring curator Sang Dae Lee and featured artist Robert J. Fouser in person on Friday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. (RSVP required, below). Join additional celebrations of the exhibition during ArtWalk Dupont’s First Friday community event on April 4 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour open house on Saturday, May 3 (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).   Unfolding Koreanness: Exploring Identity in the Age of Migration March 14 – May 03, 2025 Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. On View: March 14 – May 03, 2025 (M-F, 10 AM – noon & 1-5 PM) Opening Reception & Talk: Friday, March 14, 2025 (6 PM, RSVP below) ArtWalk Dupont Hours: Friday, April 4, 2025 (6 – 8 PM, no RSVP required)                    Passport DC Weekend Hours: Saturday, May 3, 2025 (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., no RSVP required) OPENING RECEPTION RSVP LINK Wonju Seo Map Drawing Textiles, 2024 Inhye Lee Mapping the Literary Geography of Sonagi Data Visualization   About the Curator   Sang Dae Lee is a curator, practitioner, and educator, leading UNITEDLAB Associates, a cross-disciplinary design studio he founded in 2006. With a philosophy rooted in integrating architecture with humanism, society, and nature, his work prioritizes social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Before establishing his studio, he gained 17 years of experience at renowned firms in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, collaborating with architects like Charles Moore, Arthur Gensler, Moshe Safdie, and I.M. Pei. His projects have received accolades such as AIA Design Awards and ASLA Professional Awards. Currently an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University, he previously taught at Auburn University. He holds a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc and a Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture from Kookmin University in Seoul.   About the Artists   Hwayoung Shon, a South Korea-born gayageum virtuoso and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is dedicated to preserving and sharing Korea’s cultural heritage globally. Since her public debut on KBS in 1986 and following success in national Gugak (traditional music) competitions, she has earned numerous accolades, including recognition at Seoul National University. Shon has collaborated with K-pop stars, jazz and world musicians, and classical orchestras, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. Her performances have graced renowned venues like the Herbst Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, and KBS Hall and have been featured on platforms such as KBS, BBC, and WGVU-FM. Through her music, she fosters cultural understanding and connection.   Inhye Lee Inhye Lee is a media artist exploring images, sound, interactivity, and data to connect scattered inspirations, uncover missing links, and spark imagination through technology. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Seoul National University, an MPS in Interactive Arts from NYU, and an MS in Data Visualization from Parsons School of Design.   Miriam Kim Miriam Kim is a Korean-Brazilian filmmaker and film editor with a background in painting, exploring themes of identity, memory, and belonging. Born and raised in São Paulo, she moved to New York to study Comparative Literature and Visual Arts at Columbia University before earning an MFA in Film Production from USC. She has lived in Los Angeles for the past twenty years with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.   Robert J. Fouser Robert J. Fouser, an independent scholar and photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island, specializes in linguistics, literature, and photography. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin, with studies in Korean at Seoul National University. He taught applied linguistics in Japan and Korean language education at Seoul National University. Fouser has authored and translated several books on Korean literature, architecture, and urban preservation. His photography has been featured in exhibitions in Seoul, Kyoto, Incheon, and Busan, and he has curated community photography projects in Korea.   Sung Goo Yang Architect Sung Goo Yang explores the possibilities of space through diverse methodologies, from traditional architecture to AI and socio-cultural analysis, enhancing spatial value based on user experience. He studied Architectural Engineering at Korea University and earned a master’s degree from Harvard. As the founder of Ether Ship in Seoul and an AIA member, his major projects include the New City Hall of Suncheon (set for completion in 2026). His work has earned recognition such as the New York Young Architects Award, Korea’s Next Generation Design Leader, and the UK’s Best International Architectural Practice.   Wonju Seo Wonju Seo is a Korean American textile artist inspired by antique Jogakbo (Korean patchwork wrapping cloth), reinterpreting its geometric forms with a contemporary style. Born and raised in Seoul, she earned a BFA in Fine Arts Painting from Hong-Ik University and worked in package and textile design before moving to the U.S. in 1998. Her work explores women's lives and Korean Bojagi textile culture. She currently lives and works in New Jersey and Florida.

NEW DATE! Due to weather, this event originally scheduled for February 20 has been moved to February 28! The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is thrilled to welcome beloved mural artist Julia Sunah Chon, better known as Kimchi Juice, back for a special Artist Talk about her new KCCDC site-specific mural celebrating Korean culture, identity, and the Lunar New Year! Visitors are welcome to stop by to witness Chon’s creativity in action through February 28, and then join Chon to celebrate and discuss the work’s completion on Friday, February 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the KCCDC.   Chon’s new outdoor mural incorporates natural elements reflecting the KCCDC bamboo garden, traditional Korean games, and a sense of community, all in a fun and engaging visual. The gate leading to the KCCDC’s iconic bamboo stand will also transform into an entryway guarded by a Korean folk art-style tiger. As Chon transitions her art from paper to large-scale murals, these intimate portraits take center stage in a dynamic urban environment.   In her public works and individual art pieces, Chon often explores the relationship between cultural tradition and its effects on generational identity, informing the decisions Asian Americans make to form their identities. Through artwork that prominently conveys Korean aesthetics, Chon merges her ancestry and traditions with the contemporary to narrate the nuances of the Korean diaspora.   The Artist Talk on February 28 at the KCCDC will navigate the story behind Chon’s design and her intentions in combining various Korean icons into a single mural composition. An RSVP is recommended to attend. Visitors can also come in advance to observe the live mural creation through February 28 during regular visitor hours (Monday – Friday, 10 AM – noon and 1 – 5 PM).   Julia Chon is a Korean-American artist and muralist primarily active in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Co. who has participated in DC Walls, the Washington extension of World Wide Walls, the largest outdoor mural festival in the United States. Her murals can be found internationally, and her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New York City. Chon’s past clients and collaborative partners include NASA, Apple, the Phillips Collection, and the Smithsonian Institution, which acquired one of her works into its permanent art collection in 2022. She recently completed a 2024 artist residency with the Nicholson Project.   Learn more about Julia’s work at www.juliachon.com or @kimchi.juice on Instagram. Artist Talk & Mural Creation with Julia Chon Friday, February 28, 5-7 PM  Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.  Free with an RSVP!  RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Us Within the World: TalkTalk Korea 2024 Award-Winning Works, a new exhibition of 80 selected multimedia entries from the annual global content contest representing creators from nearly 30 countries, on view January 3 – February 21, 2025. The dynamic exhibition kicks off with a public opening celebration featuring two content creators in person at the KCCDC on Friday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m., in addition to a special evening showing during the local community event ArtWalk Dupont on Friday, January 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.   The January 10 opening celebration will also include a special giveaway of recent K-Pop albums and merchandise from artists including BTS, LE SSERAFIM, Seventeen, and many more!   The 80 award-winning works—spanning playful reinterpretations of pop culture to intricate descriptions of craft and artistry—navigate contemporary creative ideas under five categories that highlight Korea’s cultural richness and diversity, including Memes and Trends, Arts and Crafts, and Motion Graphics, offering fresh perspectives on what Korea means to people around the world.   Visitors are invited to reflect on how Korea’s cultural narratives resonate and evolve on the international stage, inspiring new conversations about shared creativity and cultural exchange. Each work reflects the story of creator’s unique personal connection to Korea, presenting an array of imaginative expressions.   As a collection, Us Within the World represents a vibrant platform for cross-cultural dialogue where Korea’s unique traditions and modern innovations converge with diverse global interpretations through the lens of international content creators. In bringing together these global voices, Us Within the World celebrates the dynamic interplay between local identity and global perspectives.   TalkTalk Korea is a global content contest launched in 2014 by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that aims to promote the excellence and uniqueness of Korean culture worldwide while enhancing Korea’s national image. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the contest was held in 2024 under the theme of “Experiencing the Authentic Beauty of Korea.” All award-winning works can also be viewed online at www.talktalkkorea.or.kr.   Us Within the World will remain on view from Friday, January 3, to Friday, February 21, 2025, including a public opening celebration on Friday, January 10 featuring two award-winning creators from the contest in person.    About the Creators (January 10 Opening In-Person Guest Speakers)   Viktoria Szotak-Nagy (Unites States), Art and Craft Category, 2nd Place Title: Inmyeonjo Meets the Timeless Beauty of Naejangsan National Park Description: I've been fascinated by South Korea for the past eight years, and it took me over 100 hours to create a diorama that truly expresses the essence of this beautiful country. The Inmyeonjo, a mythical creature symbolizing good luck, paired with the serene atmosphere of Naejangsan National Park captures the timeless and peaceful vibe of South Korea. It was a challenge to bring this atmosphere to life, but I hope I was able to convey it through my art piece and that you enjoy the experience.   Garcia Rolly Boy (United States), Photobook Category, 5th Place Title: ESSENCE OF KOREA: A Journey through Time and Culture Description: Korea, a land where ancient traditions meet modern innovation, invites you to embark on a visual journey through its rich tapestry of history, nature, and vibrant culture. This photo book captures the essence of Korea in its breathtaking landscapes, bustling cities, heartfelt traditions, and mouthwatering cuisine. This photo book invites you not just to see Korea but to experience it with all your senses. Each image is a window into a world that celebrates life, history, and the beauty of human connection. Us Within the World: TalkTalk Korea 2024 Award-Winning Works Exhibition Dates: January 3 - February 21, 2025  Opening Celebration + K-Pop Merchandise Giveaway: Fri. January 10, 6 - 8 PM (RSVP required below) ArtWalk Dupont (special open hours, no RSVP required): Fri. January 3, 6 - 8 PM RSVP FOR THE OPENING CELEBRATION (JAN. 10)! Above: stillcut images of various select video entries and the TalkTalk Korea 2024 contest poster. For individual work details and credits, please contact us or visit www.talktalkkorea.or.kr.