Join the KCCDC in collaboration with JUB Cultural Center for a special traditional dance workshop centered on the concept of jeongchwi, or the charm of tranquility, mood, and atmosphere. Enjoy a live performance of traditional Korean dances, experience playing a traditional Korean sogo hand drum, and learn basic movements guided by esteemed Korean dancers.   The program will be guided by performers Park Ji Won (Director of Deon Dance Company and an Intangible Cultural Heritage holder), Byun Jae Un (Director of JUB Cultural Center and the Korean Traditional Arts Foundation-Washington), and Lee Cheong Young Ph.D. (Board Chair of the Korean Traditional Arts Foundation-Washington and Distinguished Professor at Busan University of Foreign Studies).   This participatory workshop will offer an unforgettable chance to experience the classical roots of Korean dance, characterized by its subtle movements, refined aesthetics, and essential place in Korea's centuries-old national cultural heritage. After the opening performances, participants will practice the basic movement and sounds of the Sinawi Sogo Dance, learn to combine footwork and use of the extended sleeve accessory known as han-sam, and then dance together in sync to live percussion.   Hwagwanmu (화관무)  This traditional dance registered as part of the cultural heritage of Hwanghae Province. It is characteristic of Korea’s ancient royal court tradition, where movements were refined and subtle, and it often features the extended sleeve accessory known as han-sam. Experience the solemn movements and gravitas of Hwagwanmu complimented by the charm of the dancer’s decorative floral crown headpiece.   Sinawi Sogo Dance (시나위 소고춤)  This performance utilizes the sogo, a small and versatile hand-held drum featured in many Korean traditional performances. The dancer must skillfully play the sogo while executing various dynamic movements in a somewhat improvisational format.   Traditional Dance with Instrumental Accompaniment After attendees learn the essentials, this participatory dance will be accompanied by traditional Korean percussion instruments such as janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), jing (medium gong), and buk (barrel drum), showcasing a harmony of movement, rhythm, and energy.   This special K-Culture Talk series presentation and workshop is presented in collaboration with JUB Cultural Center.   Jeongchwi: Korean Traditional Dance Workshop with JUB Culture Center Thursday, June 12, 6:00 – 7:30 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.   RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!

2025 K-Pop Academy DC – Call for Participants                          Calling all K-Pop fans! Ready to dance like your favorite idols? Join the K-Pop Academy and bring your stage dreams to life!   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to announce the 2025 K-Pop Academy, to be held at the KCCDC from July 7 through July 19 with applications accepted June 9 – 13. This exciting program offers a special opportunity for local fans that are passionate about K-Pop to gain hands-on experience and connect with Korean dance and culture through live training sessions with Korean industry professionals.   There's no cost to join, but the application process is competitive. See below for full details on the program and how to apply.   Program Overview   Dates: July 7 (Mon) – July 19 (Sat), 2025 Schedule: Three sessions per week; final showcase on Saturday, July 19 Location: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) Participants: 20 students in the Beginner Class, 20 in the Intermediate Class Eligibility: Open to all K-Pop fans aged 15 and older! Participants must also be able to participate in all class sessions in-person in Washington, D.C. according to the schedule below. Fees: There is no fee to apply or participate, but due to limited space, submitting your complete application early is highly recommended.   Instructor & Class Format   A professional K-Pop dance choreographer from Korea with experience training well-known K-Pop idol groups will lead the program, providing high-quality instruction tailored to participants' levels across two groups. This year’s academy will focus on dance training without a separate vocal training group.   [Beginner] For those who are interested in K-Pop but have little or no dance experience Focuses on basic choreography, performance understanding, teamwork building   [Intermediate] For those with prior experience in K-Pop dance at an intermediate level Focuses on choreography creation, effective practice techniques, role sharing, and leadership skills Not sure which level to choose? No worries! Just upload a 1-minute dance video in the application form, and our instructor will help determine the best level for you. Class Schedule     How to Apply   Application Period: June 9 – 13, 2025 (link opens June 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT) How to Apply: Complete the application form via the KCCDC website Selection Announcement: Wednesday, June 18 Selection: 40 participants will be selected through a review of applications   Applicants selected for participation will be contacted directly. Please understand that the process is competitive, and that due to strong interest only a portion of applicants are selected for participation. In your application, be sure to express your passion and tell us what participating would mean to you! Applicants are encouraged to be thoughtful and to convey, for example, their passion, how they could benefit from the program, or their personal motivations, all of which will be considered. Participants are not selected based on individual skill but on maximizing the overall positive impact of the program.   Inquiries   For more information, please visit the KCCDC website or contact us at soh24@mofa.or.kr. 👉Application Opens on June 9 at 10am👈

The K-Tourism Talk Show is back by popular demand with Episode 2! Join us for our second event where five more real Korea travelers will share new favorite destinations, experiences, tips, and suggestions to help make your next exciting visit to Korea a reality.   As with our first ever K-Tourism event in April, new guest presenters will explain what worked for them in Korea, practical advice on getting around and living there, and other useful tips. Each guest presenter will share their own travel pictures and video at the event, including experiencing KBO baseball games, hidden gems of travel, Seoul city architecture, hiking national parks, temple stay, and reconnecting with distant family as an adoptee.   Ask a question during the discussion to get even more valuable insights, or listen in to discover a new bucket-list destination. Either way, prepare to open a window on travel to Korea like never before! RSVP to attend in person!     K-Tourism Talk Show May 28, 6:30 PM (Season 1, Episode 2): RSVP at the link below! Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.   RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!     About the Guest Presenters & Topics (May 28)   Meg got to experience destinations in Korea that are more off the beaten path while she was studying there for a year, including Sokcho, Gyeongju, and Incheon, as well as participating in a Temple Stay at Geumseon-sa and the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul.   Evie discovered her own precious memories and hidden gems in Korea while meeting her partner’s family on the island of Jeju. She was able to appreciate Jeju’s unique foods, local dialect, the volcanic mountain of Halla-san, and ultra-fresh local tangerine juice—not to mention the intricacies of family dynamics!   Jack experienced the awesome fun of a KBO baseball game in person in Korea! He’ll share that memorable experience, as well as his time and photos hiking the beautiful Seoraksan National Park.   Mayra visited Korea in the fall, taking in the beautiful natural colors of nature and temples nestled in rural areas as well as the hustle and bustle of Seoul. She enjoyed the flavors of coastal Yeosu, trendy pop-up restaurants, live concerts, and other “healing” experiences at an overall slower pace of travel.   Catherine’s trip to Korea was deeply meaningful for her as an adoptee reconnecting with her heritage, but even more so because she was able to introduce her own daughter of Korean-Canadian heritage. Together Catherine and her daughter explored the unique architecture, city planning, and urban revitalization aspects of Seoul.

Join us for The Lives and Stories of Korean American Authors, a special children’s literature K-Culture Talk celebrating Korean-heritage author experiences for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, featuring Ginger Park and Frances Park, co-authors of Suka’s Farm! Ginger Park and Frances Park will share their experiences growing up Korean-American and how it informed their journey to becoming successful authors. They will also discuss the real-life story behind their enchanting new children's book, Suka's Farm. Families are encouraged to attend, and those with a child will receive a complimentary copy of Suka’s Farm to have signed and to take home, but quantities are limited. Suka's Fark and the authors' other books will also be on display at the event. This event also celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, observed every May to honor the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants to the United States. To mark the occasion, the authors’ will share insights into their personal journeys and perspectives, discuss their writing process and key themes of their new book, and read excerpts. Visitors can also have their books signed after the program (books will not be for sale at the event, so visitors may bring their own copy). The Lives and Stories of Korean-American Authors May 21, 2025 (Wednesday), 5:00 - 6:30 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Free copy of Suka's Farm for attendees with children (while supplies last)!  RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! About the Authors Ginger Park and Frances Park are Korean American sisters who have written seventeen books between them, published in six countries. Their work often reflects their Korean heritage. Awards for their co-authored children’s books include the IRA Children’s Book Award, The Jean B. Sugarman Award, the Paterson Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award. They’ve presented at The Smithsonian, The Korean Embassy, The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, The New Executive Office Building, American University, Virginia Tech, GMU, and schools across the DC area. Interviews include NPR, CNN, Good Morning America, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America. Their newest picture book Suka’s Farm was recently featured by Jummy Olabanji on NBCWashington’s 4 Your Reading. Later this year, their children’s story My Sister’s Doljabi will be published.  For more, visit the authors' website at www.parksisters.com. Ginger Park was an energetic gymnast as a child. After her father's sudden passing two days before her seventeenth birthday, however, she realized how little she knew about her parents' lives and struggles in Korea. Determined to learn more, she spent months going through old photos with her mother and hearing stories of their homeland. This process of discovery led her to document her family's history, from Sinuiju to Seoul. It was through this journey that she began her writing career, uncovering both her family’s past and her own voice as a writer. For her award-winning work, Ginger has been interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, featured in USA Today, the Washington Post, and Koream. Her work has been translated into five languages. Ginger’s young adult novel The Hundred Choices Department Store was featured on NPR's All Things Considered. Accolades include Best of Korea’s Round Up of 2022’s Best Books by Korean American authors, the U.S. Courts and Federal Judiciary's 2024 AAPI Heritage Month book selection, National Women's History Alliance "Book of the Week", and Book Riot’s “Best Fiction set in Korea” for Adults and Children. The story was inspired by her mother's family who endured the post-World War II Russian invasion of their country, and their ultimate flight south before the outbreak of the Korean War. The book, recently published in South Korea, is a Kyobo Bookstore “MD’s Recommendation”, and has earned placement on five academic reading lists as well. Frances Park is a Korean American author of novels, memoirs and children’s books. At age 10, she typed a 200-page story on an Underwood typewriter—blue ink, onionskin paper, reading aloud to anyone who would listen. Since then, she’s spoken at The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, The New Executive Office Building, Wolf Trap, and the Korean Embassy. For her award-winning work, she’s been interviewed by NPR, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, CNN, The Diane Rehm Show, and Good Morning America. Frances’ adult work reflects an identity born of two worlds. Her recent novel Blue Rice – portraying a Korean woman’s acclimation to white America in 1960 – is a Pushcart Prize nominee as well as a finalist in the 2024 Foreword Indies Awards for Multicultural Fiction. Her novel The Summer My Sister Was Cleopatra Moon received glowing reviews by The Times Literary Supplement, The Washington Post, and USA Today. Her essay collection That Lonely Spell was praised by Kirkus as “a fresh take on the Korean American memoir by a writer from a generation whose voice has seldom been heard”; one story earned a Notable in Best American Essays 2017. Her award-winning short stories and personal essays have appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, The Massachusetts Review, The Columbia Journal, The London Magazine, Folio, The Bellevue Literary Review, The Chicago Quarterly, and dozens more. Penguin Random House SEA will be publishing her next novel Ahn Love in 2026.   About Suka’s Farm Life in 1941 Korea is hard for Aoki and his family. Under colonial rule, many of the country’s resources are being exported to Japan. One night, as Aoki’s hunger keeps him awake, he hears his parents worrying about their dwindling rice supply. Though he’s only a child, Aoki is desperate to help—so desperate that he asks Mr. Suka, a Japanese farmer, for a job. Mr. Suka’s first instinct is to turn the boy away, but he is moved by Aoki’s plea. He teaches Aoki how to care for a herd of goats, and soon what began as an act of charity becomes a genuine friendship that brings them both joy.