Join us at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) for our latest K-Culture Talk, An Evening of Korean Poetry and Art Songs, in collaboration with the talented members and performs of the Asian American Music Society (AAMS)! Art Songs, also known as Lied music in parts of Europe, are a traditional form of sung poetry. Known in Korean as Gagok, the popular classical genre adapts a European concept with Korean aesthetics, lyrics, expression, and musicality. This event aims to introduce the beauty of Korean culture through its poetry and art songs, offering a unique opportunity to explore the genre’s deep emotional and cultural significance. With growing interest in Korean culture now exploring subtleties of storytelling, creative expression, and language, this workshop offers a chance to experience firsthand a fusion of Korean poetry and music, delving into the Gagok genre’s emotional and artistic depth. The program will feature AAMS guest artists Dr. Mira Yang (soprano), Dr. Min Jin (tenor), Dr. Kwon Kee Sun (soprano), Dr. Hong Eunyoung (soprano), and Dr. Lee Seung Yun (pianist), as well as student artists Celestine Liu, Nancy McClain, Seung Gyo Kim, Tave Slangerup. Featured performances will include “Song of Farewell” (poem by Park Mok-wol), “A Thousand Winds” (poem by Kim Seong-gyu), “There Lives a Child in My Heart” (poem by Yun Dong-ju), “Dream of Love” (poem by Lee Baek-su), “Though Life Deceives You” (poem by Lee Tae-baek), “First Love” (poem by Kim So-wol), “On a Happy Morning” (poem by Han Yong-un), “Snow” (poem by Jang Deok-su), and “Longing, Longing” (from the classical Korean pansori Chunhyang with music by Ahn Ik-tae). The workshop portion of the event will introduce famous Korean poems and their musical adaptations, each revealing the harmonious interplay of two art forms. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind each art song through live performances and discussion before meeting the artists and speakers over a light Korean reception after the program. Founded in 1989, AAMS is dedicated to promoting Asian music in the United States through concerts, workshops, and cultural events. AAMS has worked with prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center and Washington, D.C. embassies and diplomatic missions, playing a key role in cultural exchange and public engagement. An Evening of Korean Poetry and Art Songs Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Free with an RSVP (below). Thank you for your interest! This event has reached maximum capacity. About the Asian American Music Society The Asian American Music Society (AAMS) was founded in 1989 to promote an appreciation of all forms of music and to celebrate the unique contributions of different cultures to the world of music. AAMS achieves this through concerts, workshops, galas, and various events throughout the Washington, D.C. region. Officially formed in 1993 and incorporated in 1996, AAMS comprises performing members, regular members, an executive committee, and a board of directors representing diverse Asian American communities. AAMS supports diverse cultural functions and has collaborated with prominent organizations including the Kennedy Center and Washington, D.C. embassies. AAMS produced the world premiere of the Chinese contemporary opera Lan-Ying, and has hosted the Asian Song Festival and Asian Chamber Music Festival. The organization also regularly supports the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration at the Kennedy Center and has presented artists at U.S. government functions, including in partnerships with NASA and the FBI. AAMS hosts annual music competitions for K-12 students and college students and organizes special events including the Bethesda Summer Music Festival and the AAMS Emerging Artist Workshop. About the Musicians Dr. Mira Yang (Soprano) Dr. Mira Yang earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Catholic University of America, a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music from Ewha Womans University. She studied at the Hochschule Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and in Italy with Iris Adami Coradetti and the Società dei Concerti. Dr. Yang also attended AIMS in Graz, Austria, the Altenburg Academy in Germany, and the Minnesota Opera Center with Wesley Balk. Additionally, she participated in the Dicapo Opera summer program and the Shaker Mountain Festival. She served as a Maryland State Arts Council Panelist and has lectured on Vocal Science and Health at various international conventions, including those in China, Finland, and Korea. Dr. Yang is the president of the Asian American Music Society (AAMS), serves as the Chair for the Students Voice Competition for the Friday Morning Music Club in Washington, D.C., and is the Artistic Director for the AAMS Winter Workshop at the REACH at the Kennedy Center, the AAMS International Summer Music Institute across Europe and Southeast Asia, and the Bethesda Summer Music Festival. She has also been an Adjunct Professor at American University and the Catholic University of America. Currently, she is a voice professor at George Mason University and a Community Advisory Board member at the Kennedy Center. Dr. Min Jin (Tenor) Dr. Min Jin has performed with numerous opera companies in both America and Korea. As an oratorio soloist, he has sung in notable works such as Messiah, Elijah, Missa Solemnis, The Creation, and The Seasons, with renowned orchestras including the Rochester Philharmonic, New Jersey Philharmonic, and Russian National Symphony. Dr. Jin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music from the Department of Religious Music at Chongshin University, a Master of Music from Mannes College of Music, and a DMA from the Eastman School of Music. He previously taught at Michigan Grand Valley State University and is currently an Associate Professor of Voice at Towson University in Maryland. Additionally, he serves as the music director of the Washington Korean Ensemble and is the President of the Korean American Music Association. Dr. Kee Sun Kwon (Soprano) Soprano Kee Sun Kwon, a faculty member at the Catholic University of America, performed as a soloist in the “Songs of the Forgotten War” concert on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and with the Hines-Lee Opera Ensemble during the Opera Gala also at the Kennedy Center. She made her New York debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and is a prizewinner of the Gerda Lissner Foundation in New York. Ms. Kwon also received the Peabody Career Development Grant. Dr. Eunyoung Hong (Soprano) Dr. Eunyoung Hong graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Ewha Womans University, a Master of Music from Indiana University Bloomington (Jacobs School of Music), and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from The Catholic University of America. She has performed in several operas, including Le nozze di Figaro, Un ballo in Maschera, The Merry Widow, Hänsel und Gretel, and Nolbuya, and has appeared in numerous solo recitals and duo concerts with orchestras. Dr. Hong has served as a part-time faculty member at Myongji University, Chugye University for the Arts, and Chonnam National University. Currently, she teaches at Sunhwa Arts High School and is the representative of Shine Arts Company. Dr. Seung Yun Lee (Pianist) Dr. Seung Yun Lee graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in Piano Performance and earned a Master of Music and Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. She received her Doctorate in Collaborative Piano from the Graduate School of Sungshin Women’s University. Dr. Lee has also completed courses at the Nice International Music Academy and the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute. She has performed at notable events such as Songfest and the Granada Spanish Song Festival. A former lecturer at Seoul National University, Gachon University, Sungshin Women’s University, Dongduk Women’s University, Hansei University, and Seoul Jangsin University, Dr. Lee is a member of the Korean Accompanists Association. .

K-Tourism Talk Show Wednesday, April 23 & Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 PM DETAILS & RSVP COMING SOON! As we conclude our search for guest speakers, we are happy to announce that the first K-Tourism Talk Show will take place on Wednesday, April 23! Please check back for the full announcement and RSVP coming soon, including the second event on May 28. Thank you to everyone who applied to participate; we will be in touch! Calling all travelers to Korea! Have you been to Korea lately and have some awesome tips, destinations, or memories to share? We want to hear from you! The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is hosting a 2025 K-Tourism Talk Show this spring to help experienced Korea travelers share tips and insights with future visitors! Whether you’re an urban explorer, K-food adventurer, backpacker, nature tourist, or K-Pop concert chaser, we want to hear about your experiences in Korea. Guest presenters will have a chance to share their valuable knowledge during our live show event, including travel planning tips, favorite destinations, getting around in Korea, and memorable moments. Sharing your insights will help inspire others to plan their own trips with confidence and excitement. The event will be open to the public for the benefit of everyone itching to travel to Korea. Those interested in being a guest presenter can apply now, and a separate RSVP to attend the event and listen in will be announced later. For more on how to apply, see the details below. Overview Event Dates: April and May, 2025 (two dates will be determined based on applications) Deadline: Apply by March 24, 2025 for the best change to take part in the program! Announcement of Results: March 31 Guest Presenter Compensation: $200 Requirements Those applying to be a guest presenter should: ●Have been to Korea within the past three years ●Share their Korea travel experiences at the event in a brief presentation and Q&A utilizing their personal pictures, video, social media or other content ●Attend the event in-person in Washington, D.C. in April or May, 2025 ●Submit sample multimedia as part of their application and presentation materials if selected How to Apply To apply to be a guest presenter, please complete the online application form below. Be sure to either include links to samples of your multimedia content in the form or else send your sample multimedia files in a followup email to Dongkyu Kim at dongkyu.kim@mofa.or.kr after completing the form. Be sure to include your name and information in any followup email to match it with your application! Those who are selected to be featured at the event will be contacted directly by email and compensation will be provided after the event. APPLY TO BE A GUEST PRESENTER! Questions? For assistance or any questions, please contact Dongkyu Kim at dongkyu.kim@mofa.or.kr.

Join us at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. for an exciting roundtable featuring experts and readers to exploring the works of Korean author and Nobel Prize in Literature winner Han Kang, coordinated in partnership with George Mason University Assistant Professor Hyun Seon Park! Through expert analysis and reader testimonials, this event will introduce the celebrated works of the author, explore Kang’s key themes and inspirations, unpack the impact of her career culminating in the Nobel Prize win in 2024, and offer a bird’s eye view of Korean literature on the rise globally. A key aspect of Korean culture’s popularity globally has always been the passion of its fans. In recognition if this, the program will open with a Readers Roundtable of short personal accounts, reviews, and stories from everyday readers whose lives have been impacted by Han Kang’s novels. Fans of her work are invited to apply to take part in this portion of the program (link below), either live in person or through a video entry. Following the Readers Roundtable, cultural and literary experts from George Mason University and the George Washington University will discuss the complex contextual aspects of Kang’s works. This Experts Roundtable will explore how modern life and societal challenges in Korea have influenced the author and vice versa, as the intense spotlight of a Nobel Prize in Literature attention comes to Korea for the first time in history. A light reception in celebration of Han Kang’s historic Nobel Prize win will follow the program. Translated editions of Han Kang’s books will be available for reading on site at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. during the event (limited quantities). Sharing Stories: A Readers and Experts Roundtable on Nobel Laureate Han Kang February 27, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM The Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. 2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Inquiries: KCCDC yeong0@mofa.or.kr / 202-939-5685 RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! Session I: Readers Roundtable Readers who are selected to participate in this portion of the program will be invited to share their experience reading a favorite work by Han Kang, such as a review or analysis, testimonial of the work’s impact, or other personal experience. To apply, complete the form below to share a brief summary of your experience or planned presentation, which can be expanded for the actual event. All applicants featured at the event will receive a Korean-themed craft kit as thank-you-gift. APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE READERS ROUNDTABLE! Apply by Wednesday, February 19 for the best chance to participate! Session II: Experts Roundtable Three Korean literature experts will lead a roundtable discussion on a variety of topics. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage in an open discussion and share their thoughts on Han Kang's works. Hyun Seon Park, Assistant Professor of Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University Immanuel Kim, Associate Professor of Korean Literature and Culture Studies, The George Washington University Young A Jung, Assistant Professor of Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University Excerpt from Human Acts ‘Looks like rain,’ you mutter to yourself. What’ll we do if it really chucks it down? You open your eyes so that only a slender chink of light seeps in, and peer at the gingko trees in front of the Provincial Office. As though there, between those branches, the wind is about to take on visible form. As though the raindrops suspended in the air, held breath before the plunge, are on the cusp of trembling down, glittering like jewels. When you open your eyes properly, the trees’ outlines dim and blur. You’re going to need glasses before long. This thought gets briefly disturbed by the whooping and applause which breaks out from the direction of the fountain. Perhaps your sight’s as bad now as it’s going to get, and you’ll be able to get away without glasses after all? ‘Listen to me if you know what’s good for you: come back home, right this minute.’ About Han Kang Korean author Han Kang was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in literature for her intensely humane and poetic body of work. Han, 53, made her prose debut in 1993, and went on to international acclaim with her books including The Vegetarian, which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. She is the first author from the Republic of Korea to win the literature award and only the 18th woman to win.

Join us for a conversation and dance demonstration with fourth-generation Korean American artist, cultural figure, choreographer, and celebrated Washingtonian Dana Tai Soon Burgess. The program will explore Burgess’s personal story through his 2022 memoir, Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly, and his distinctive modern dance aesthetic, which is deeply informed by his Korean American identity. Three live dance performance excerpts will be interspersed throughout the program, highlighting both Korean and Korean American perspectives. The discussion will explore the behind-the-scenes stories of how these dance works – Leaving Pusan (2002), Becoming American (2011), and Hyphen (2008) – were created. Gain a deeper understanding of the joys and struggles of life as an Asian American in the U.S. and delve into the complex influences that shaped this artist. Korean American Journeys: A Conversation with Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Light snack reception provided at the event. RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! Performance Excerpts Leaving Pusan (2002) “Leaving Pusan” is based on my grandmother’s emotional and physical departure from Korea in 1903. She voyaged to Oahu, Hawaii where she would work on the Del Monte plantation her entire life. Dana Tai Soon Burgess Becoming American (2011) “Becoming American” is based on the real life story of Katia Norri, a dancer with DTSBDC who was adopted from Korea by an American couple in New Jersey. The work delves into her journey to understand her new home. Dana Tai Soon Burgess Hyphen (2008) “Hyphen” represents the turbulent struggle that Asian Americans feel as they solidify their identity in the American cultural tapestry. Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dana Tai Soon Burgess | Artistic Director at Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company Dana Tai Soon Burgess is a leading American choreographer, dancer, and cultural figure known worldwide as the “Diplomat of Dance.” In 1992, he founded the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), a preeminent modern dance company based in Washington, D.C. As the Company’s artistic director, his work explores the idea of cultural “confluence” with many of his dances focusing on the “hyphenated person” – someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage – and the emotions of belonging and societal acceptance. He has served as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department for over two decades, an appointment he uses to promote international cultural dialogue through “the global language of dance.” He has been awarded three Fulbright Senior scholarships for dance. He has also recently received two prestigious awards – the Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award and the Aaron Stein Memorial Award. In 2016, Burgess was named the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever Choreographer-in-Residence. From 2016-2023 he created new works inspired by museum exhibitions, participated in public discussions about dance and art and designed educational programming. The exploration of dance and art is deeply rooted for Burgess. The son of two visual artists he has always approached the stage as a canvas, and the dancers as brush strokes. In 2003, Burgess was one of only three artists featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s “A Korean American Century” – an exhibition highlighting the history and achievements of Korean Americans in the US. “Dancing the Dream,” marked the Smithsonian’s first exhibition on American dance during this centennial celebration as well. Three portraits of Burgess are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and his family archives reside in the American History Museum. He has created works for The National Gallery of Art, The Noguchi Museum, The National Museum of Asian Art, The National Building Museum, The Kreeger Museum, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and The UNM Art Museum to name a few. Burgess and the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company have received numerous awards and acclamations including the Outstanding Emerging Artist at the 12th Annual Mayor Arts Award (1994), the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence (2005), seven Metro D.C. Dance Awards, as well as the Pola Nirenska Award which celebrates trailblazers and leaders of the dance community. Burgess received the Paul Ré Peace Prize by the University of New Mexico Foundation for bridging communities around the globe through choreography. Burgess is the author of Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly: A Memoir by University of New Mexico Press and the editor of and contributor to Milestones in Dance History by Routledge/Francis&Taylor. He is also the host of Slantpodcast.com which focuses on the Asian American arts experience. photo credit: Sueraya Shaheen Julie Park, PhD | Associate Professor of Sociology and the Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland Julie Park is Associate Professor of Sociology and the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland (UMD). She currently serves as Associate Chair in Sociology and previously served as the Director of Asian American Studies from 2017 to 2022. She is on the Faculty Council of the UMD Center for Global Migration Studies and the Executive Committee of the Maryland Population Research Center (MPRC). Prior to joining the Maryland faculty in 2008, she was a research assistant professor in the School of Policy, Planning, and Development and the associate director of the Population Dynamics Research Group at the University of Southern California. She received her Ph.D. (2003) and M.A. (2001) in sociology as well as a Masters in Urban Planning (1998) from the University of Southern California. She received her B.A. in sociology at the University of California, Davis. Professor Park's research focuses most broadly on the adaptation process of immigrants in the United States which includes the areas of immigration, demography, race/ethnicity, gender, and urban studies. Specifically, she examines how immigrants improve their socioeconomic status with longer duration in the U.S. She also utilizes an innovative cohort method to assess intergenerational mobility across immigrant generations that she co-developed. Second, she considers how residential segregation changes in new and established immigrant gateways. Lastly, she assesses the health and health care access assimilation process of immigrants. Her work has been published in Demography, International Migration Review, American Journal of Public Health, Social Science Research, and Social Science and Medicine. Professor Park currently teaches courses on immigration, Asian Americans Studies, and social demography. In recognition of her teaching, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award (College of Behavioral and Social Sciences) and the Donna B. Hamilton Award for Teaching Excellence (Undergraduate Studies).