Join us for our first ever K-Tourism Talk Show, where actual Korea travelers will share their favorite memories, tips, and suggestions to help inspire and plan your next visit! Discovering exciting destinations and experiences is the first step on a new travel journey—guest presenters at this event will also explain what worked for them, practical advice on getting around and living in Korea, and other tips to make your next trip an unforgettable success. Through their own travel pictures and videos, guest presenters will share their recent experiences travelling all across Korea, including K-Pop concerts and fan destinations, K-Drama group tours, unique food experiences, family trips, historical sites, having fun while studying abroad, and more—all while making lifelong friends along the way. Join the discussion to get even more valuable insights, pick up free Korea travel guides, or listen in to discover a new bucket-list destination. Either way, prepare to open a window on travel to Korea like never before! This first of two K-Tourism Talk Show events will take place in April (live in-person only), with the second event in May featuring new speakers and experiences. Light reception after the program. RSVP to attend!     K-Tourism Talk Show  April 23, 6:30 PM (Season 1, Episode 1): RSVP below! May 28, 6:30 PM (Season 1, Episode 2): Details & RSVP to be announced.  Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.   RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! (APRIL 23)     About the Guest Presenters & Topics   Emma studied abroad in Korea for four months in 2024, and in her words, “did a lot of exploring, both in Seoul and beyond.” Spending time with local friends over a longer period of time gave her insight into the joys of daily life in Korea, including singing in noraebang (singing rooms), enjoying fried chicken by the Han River, experiencing a temple stay, and “so, so, so many cafes!”  Michael traveled to Korea in 2023 with his wife for a very special occasion—their honeymoon! They spent a significant amount of time exploring Jeju island off Korea’s southern coast and sampled exquisite regional cuisine, but also made time for Seoul’s iconic sites, including shopping in Myeongdong and a visit to the royal palace, Gyeongbokgung.   Dhania and her sister, both avid K-Pop fans, traveled to Korea in 2024 to “explore the culture, amazing food, and create the bond that we never expected.” With just 10 days to spend there, the pair learned to navigate public transportation using Korean map apps, explored Jeju island during an excursion, and visited many of the most travelled-to spots for BTS fans.   Soomin led a group eight people on a unique food tour of Korea. Having been born there before moving to the United States in 2012, it was an exciting and eye-opening experience. The group tasted everything from crave-worthy street food to two-star Michelin restaurants—this trip was all about the food!   Ronda traveled to Korea in 2024 to take part in a guided group tour designed to visit iconic sites from famous K-Dramas and describes the experience as “truly incredible.” Her tour visited cities across the country from Seoul to Busan and included special cultural experiences including cooking classes and fashion. Most importantly, she says the group experience “created a lasting community and lifelong friendships.” ______________________________________ The application period for this program has ended, but information on the process can be found below! To RSVP for an event, see the updated announcement above.  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 follow-up email to Dongkyu Kim at dongkyu.kim@mofa.or.kr after completing the form. Be sure to include your name and information in any follow-up 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. The application period has ended.   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. (KCCDC) for a special culinary event celebrating Hansik, one of Korea's four traditional holidays, with renowned Chef Danny Lee of popular DC-based restaurants Mandu, Anju, and CHIKO!   This event will offer a unique opportunity to dig deeper into Korea’s rich culinary heritage and meet a chef and entrepreneur keeping those traditions alive. Explore the evolution of Korean cuisine and how it is enjoyed, perceptions of Korean food in the United States, and the ongoing globalization of Korean food, among other topics. Chef Lee will share his own Korean food journey through a talk, cooking demonstration of japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and a tasting of other K-Food classics.   K-Food Taste and Talk: Discovering Korean Traditions with Chef Danny Lee Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Inquiries: yeong0@mofa.or.kr RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!  Please Note: registration opens April 8 at 10:00 a.m. EDT (strict limit of 30 participants). Because space is very limited, please register only if you are certain you can attend. Thank you!     Highlights: ●Talk on Korean Cuisine and Culture: Chef Lee will share fascinating stories and expert knowledge about the history and development of Korean food, including its changing role in both traditional and modern dining. ●Exploring Korean Food in the United States and Beyond: Dive into a discussion on how Korean food is perceived in the United States and across the globe. Explore the rise of K-food trends and the factors contributing to the globalization of Korean cuisine. ●Cooking Demonstration: After the lecture, Chef Lee will guide guests through a live cooking demonstration showcasing the preparation of japchae (stir-fried glass noodles). Watch as Chef Lee crafts this classic dish using fresh ingredients, and learn tips and techniques to try at home! ●Tasting Session: Conclude with a delicious tasting session highlighting japchae, to experience how the balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors create an unforgettable dish. Chef Danny Lee, born and raised in Washington, D.C., is a renowned culinary figure known for his innovative take on Korean cuisine. After transitioning from genetic research to the restaurant industry, Danny, alongside his mother Yesoon, opened Mandu in 2006, DC’s first full-service Korean restaurant. He later co-founded The Fried Rice Collective with Chef Scott Drewno, opening the highly acclaimed CHIKO in 2017, which earned a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant. Danny's restaurant group has since expanded with locations in DC, Virginia, Maryland, and California.   In 2019, Lee launched Anju, a vibrant eatery celebrating both traditional and modern Korean flavors, which was named the No. 1 restaurant in the region by Washingtonian Magazine. Danny’s culinary excellence has earned him multiple James Beard Award nominations and recognition as Restaurateur of the Year at the 2022 RAMMY Awards. Beyond his culinary career, Danny is also dedicated to anti-racism initiatives and fundraising for the non-profit EmbraceRace as their Culinary Ambassador.  

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. Kee Sun Kwon (soprano), Dr. Eunyoung Hong (soprano), and Dr. Seung Yun Lee (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. .   

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.