Discover Korea through its stories! As Korean novels attract newfound popular interest and critical acclaim worldwide, the KCCDC is launching the K-Literature Book Club: Stories of Korea to help introduce influential works in this important genre of culture.   This spring in April and May, we invite you to read and discuss three contemporary Korean literary works by celebrated authors like Nobel Laureate Han Kang and Kyung-sook Shin that explore themes of empathy, family, identity, loss, and social change in Korean society. Readers can exchange ideas and questions at each meeting while KCCDC staff will help guide casual conversations about the characters and stories in these books, providing deeper insight into Korean society and culture.   Participants are also eligible to receive a free English-language copy of the book in advance! Anyone can sign up for one, two, or all three club meetings, but please note that preference may be given to those not signed up for multiple sessions to allow greater overall participation. Selected participants will receive a final confirmation email after the sign-up period. Complimentary books must be picked up at the KCCDC in person (details below). All meetings will be in person at the KCCDC (no virtual option), and there will be one club meeting per book. Space is limited and participation is first come, first served, so secure your spot!   Already read the book? Great! You’re all set, and can simply sign up to join the club meeting for that book to learn, share, and get the most our of these amazing works of fiction. K-Literature Book Club: Stories of Korea Korean Cultural Center Washington, DC Various dates, April – May 2026   Sign up Period: March 11 – 18, 2026 Book Pick-Up Dates: March 23 – 27, 2026 Questions? Email us at culturedc@mofa.or.kr for assistance regarding this program.    Please note: preference may be given to those not signed up for multiple sessions to allow greater overall participation. Selected participants will receive a final confirmation email after the sign-up period. If you would like to be sure to join a certain session, please complete the sign-up form for that book first, and then other sessions.    Featured Books & Meeting Dates:   Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin (winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize) Monday, April 27, 6:00 PM   Almond by Won-pyung Sohn Wednesday, May 13, 6:00 PM   The White Book by Han Kang (Nobel Prize in Literature recipient) Thursday, May 21, 6:00 PM   For more on each featured book, see below. All club meeting take place at the KCCDC in person (no virtual option) and will be conducted primarily in English in a casual sharing and guided conversation format. Light refreshments will be provided at each meeting. Please be sure that you can attend the in person book club session on the above date before signing up!    UPDATE: REGISTRATION IS FULL. JOIN THE WAITLIST! Thank you for your interest in this program! All original sessions have reached maximum capacity and are currently not accepting registration, but those who are interested are invited to join a WAITLIST for possible openings, new sessions, or future K-Literature and book club events. Thank you for you understanding and continued support!   Please note that book/session options will be removed from the form as they become full, and the form will close entirely when all sessions are full.    Please Look After Mom Kyung-sook Shin   When sixty-nine-year-old So-nyo is separated from her husband among the crowds of the Seoul subway station, her family begins a desperate search to find her. Yet as long-held secrets and private sorrows begin to reveal themselves, they are forced to wonder: how well did they actually know the woman they called Mom? Photo © Lee Byungryul Kyung-Sook Shin is the author of numerous works of fiction and is one of South Korea’s most widely read and acclaimed novelists. She was the first woman to be awarded the Man Asian Literary Prize (for Please Look After Mom), and she has also been honored with the Manhae Literature Prize, the Dong-in Literature Prize, and the Yi Sang Literary Prize, as well as France’s Pirx de l’Inapercu. Please Look After Mom was her first book to appear in English and has been published in twenty-nine countries with over 2 million copies sold in South Korea alone.   Almond Won-pyung Sohn   This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me.   Yunjae was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He does not have friends—the two almond-shaped neurons located deep in his brain have seen to that—but his devoted mother and grandmother provide him with a safe and content life. Their little home above his mother’s used bookstore is decorated with colorful Post-it notes that remind him when to smile, when to say "thank you," and when to laugh. Then a shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone and on his own. Struggling to cope with his loss, Yunjae retreats into silent isolation, until troubled teenager Gon arrives at his school, and they develop a surprising, unlikely friendship. When Gon suddenly finds his life at risk, Yunjae will have the chance to step outside of every comfort zone he has created to perhaps become the hero he never thought he would be.   Translated by Sandy Joosun Lee.   Photo © Channel Yes Won-pyung Sohn is a film director, screenwriter, and novelist living in South Korea. She earned a BA in social studies and philosophy at Sogang University and film directing at the Korean Academy of Film Arts. She has won several prizes, including the Film Review Award of the 6th Cine21, and the Science Fantasy Writers’ Award for her movie script. She also wrote and directed a number of short films and made her feature film directorial debut with Intruder. She made her literary debut in 2016 with Almond, her first full-length novel, which won the Changbi Prize for Young Adult Fiction. Released the following year, Counterattacks at Thirty received the Jeju 4.3 Peace Literary Prize and the 2022 Japanese Booksellers' Award.   The White Book  Han Kang, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature   Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, Han Kang’s The White Book is a meditation on color, as well as an attempt to make sense of her older sister’s death, who died in her mother’s arms just a few hours after she was born. In captivating, starkly beautiful language, The White Book is a letter from Kang to her sister, offering a multilayered exploration of color and its absence, and of the tenacity and fragility of the human spirit.   Translated by Deborah Smith. Photo © Paik Dahuim Han Kang was born in 1970 in South Korea. She is the author of The Vegetarian, winner of the International Booker Prize, as well as Human Acts, The White Book, Greek Lessons, Light and Thread, and We Do Not Part. In 2024, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. According to the Swedish Academy, Han was selected for the prestigious prize—the first to a Korean author—for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life."

Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of Korean culture at a special K-Culture Talk & Exhibition featuring two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Hyungwon Kang, whose stunning work reveals deep cultural insights into Korea. This unique event explores the Korean concept of sagehood — a form of enlightened wisdom, also known as seonbi, to which many have aspired — through the lens of Kang’s award-winning photography. Kang will share stories and personal insights from his book Seonbi Country Korea: Seeking Sagehood and discuss the enduring Korean ideal of seonbi, which he describes as the timeless spirit of integrity, learning, and inner discipline. The K-Culture Talk with Kang on Feb. 9 will be accompanied by Experience the Spirit of Korea, a special digital display of Kang’s photography in the KCCDC’s Experience Room, on view Feb. 9 – 23. Striking images from Kang’s acclaimed book reveal how traditional values and aspirations like seonbi have shaped even modern Korean arts, culture, and society. The exhibition space will also feature a curated display of ten English-language books on Korean culture for visitors to peruse, exploring related themes such as beauty, fashion, food, philosophy, beliefs, and performing arts, collectively offering a rich and multifaceted view of Korea’s cultural heritage. Book Signing Book enthusiasts welcome! Bring a copy of Kang’s book on Feb. 9 to have it autographed. The book is currently available for purchase on Amazon, and a limited number of attendees will also have the chance to receive a complimentary copy through a special on-site event. K-Culture Talk with Hyungwon Kang Monday, February 9, 2026, 5:00-7:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! Experience the Spirit of Korea: Digital Photo Exhibition & Book Display February 9-23, 2026 Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (Experience Room, 1st Floor) No appointment necessary; on view during regular visiting hours, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.         About the Speaker: Hyungwon Kang Hyungwon Kang was born in Korea in 1963 and immigrated to the United States in 1975. He studied Political Science and International Relations at UCLA before embarking on a career as a photojournalist with major U.S. news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, AP, the White House Photo Office, and Reuters, covering international news with speed and insight. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, receiving the award in 1993 and 1999 for his outstanding work in photojournalism. Today, he focuses on documenting Korean cultural heritage, writing columns in both Korean and English for The Korea Times and The Korea Herald, while continuing his work as a photojournalist and columnist. Through his lectures and public talks, he is dedicated to sharing the value and spirit of Korea’s cultural heritage with a global audience. Hyungwon Kang

  Join Ginger Park and Frances Park, authors of the children’s book My Sister’s Doljabi, for a special K-Culture Talk exploring and celebrating Korea’s first birthday tradition. Discover the cultural significance of the one-year birthday milestone, dol (돌), and the meaning of objects babies choose during doljabi (돌잡이), through personal stories from the authors.   The Park sisters will also introduce their enchanting new book, My Sister’s Doljabi, and explain how Korean culture inspired their storytelling. Participants will also have a chance to enjoy hands-on activities, including a doljabi experience, tasting traditional Korean rice cakes (tteok) served at a first birthday, and trying on traditional Korean hanbok attire.   Families attending with children will also receive a complimentary copy of My Sister’s Doljabi (while supplies last). The program will conclude with a book signing and the opportunity for guests to meet the authors.  Discover Doljabi: Celebrating the Korean First Birthday Tradition with Authors Ginger Park and Frances Park Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM Location: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! About the Authors   Ginger Park is a Korean American author of many children's books. She has received multiple awards for her work, including the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award, the IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Award, the Paterson Prize Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award, among others. She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.   Frances Park is a Korean American author of books for children and adults. She has received multiple awards for her work, including the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award, the IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice Award, the Notable Books for a Global Society Award, the Paterson Prize Book Award for Young Readers, and the Bank Street Book Award, among others. She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. For more, visit the authors' website at www.parksisters.com.   Excerpt from My Sister’s Doljabi by Ginger Park and Frances Park   The history of dol—the first-birthday celebration in Korea—goes back centuries. Like the great-grandmother in Binna’s Birthday, our mother, who was born in 1930, lost four of her nine brothers and sisters—all before their first birthdays. Our mother was the only sibling who would go on to celebrate her palsun (80th birthday), and many more birthdays.   Nowadays, with infant mortality very low, the objects in doljabi sets often represent careers, such as a gavel for judge, stethoscope for doctor, cellphone for engineer, and golf club or baseball bat for athlete. Still, dol remains the most important birthday for Koreans all around the world.

Experience the essence of K-Beauty through a special program led by a professional makeup artist from Amorepacific, one of Korea’s leading beauty companies, as they tour the United States! The 2025 Touring K-Arts: K-Beauty Makeup Class goes beyond simple demonstrations, offering in-depth lectures, hands-on training, and personalized guidance in a workshop format to help participants gain a deeper understanding of Korean beauty culture.  This program is supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) as part of the “Touring K-Arts” project.  Program Highlights: ●Introduction to Korean Beauty & Makeup Basics (60 min) Learn about the history and values of traditional Korean beauty, explore the latest K-Beauty trends, and gain essential knowledge of makeup fundamentals. ●Personal Color & Makeup Techniques (45 min) Discover the theory and diagnosis of personal color, learn application methods, and observe professional demonstrations with guided practice. ● K-Beauty Trend Makeup Practice (45 min) Experience hands-on practice with K-Beauty trending looks, followed by Q&A and one-on-one mentoring.   Schedule Monday, September 15, 6:00-8:30 PM Closed session, invited guests only Korean Cultural Center Washington D.C.   Tuesday, September 16, 6:00-8:30 PM Public session, application required (details below) Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.   As spots are very limited for this program, participants will be selected based on a brief application that considers applicants' unique personal aspects and interests. Click here to submit an application for the public session program (Sept. 16).    For questions, please contact us at yeong0@mofa.or.kr.

Pressed flower art is a timeless craft that captures and preserves the natural beauty of real blossoms. Fresh flowers are carefully pressed and dried to maintain their delicate shapes and vibrant colors. Once preserved, these flowers become artistic materials for creative expression, allowing the fleeting beauty of nature to last far beyond its natural lifespan. The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to partner with Director Jae Eun Byun of JUB Cultural Center to host this special K-Culture Talk and pressed flower craft workshop featuring blossoms of the Korean national flower, mugunghwa (무궁화), or rose of sharon, an important symbol of Korean national identity and culture. Mugunghwa flower crafts come in various forms, including framed art, cards, bookmarks, and decorations. In this workshop, participants will create a pressed mugunghwa flower framed art work. Participation in this special program requires a non-refundable materials fee of $10 paid to JUB Cultural Center. K-Culture Talk: Mugunghwa Pressed Flower Craft Workshop Friday, September 12, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C Workshop Overview ●Learn the techniques to press and preserve fresh flowers ●Create your own framed artwork with a unique, personal design ●Learn to make meaningful pieces for keepsakes or gifts   About Instructor Jae Eun Byun ●Director, JUB Korean Cultural Arts Center ●Certified pressed flower instructor ●Pressed flower workshop guest instructor at Fairfax High School ●Artwork exhibited at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. and Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art How to Participate Registration is first-come, first-served. To participate, please first register for the event via eventbrite and staff will email instructions on how to submit the required $10 materials fee to JUB Cultural Center (Zelle or Venmo required).   Click HERE to RSVP!   Pressed Flower Making Process 1.Select Materials Choose fresh flowers or leaves in good condition. Avoid flowers that are too thick or contain too much moisture. 2. Prepare the Flowers Trim unnecessary parts of petals or stems. Cut thicker flowers in half to prevent discoloration. 3. Pressing Place flowers evenly between blotting paper or special pressed-flower paper. Apply steady pressure using a flower press or heavy board. 4.Drying Leave flowers in a cool, dry place for about two weeks. Replace the paper occasionally to prevent mold and preserve colors.   5.Inspection Carefully remove dried flowers and check their shape and color. Handle gently to avoid breakage. 6.Creating Artwork Arrange pressed flowers into frames, cards, bookmarks, or decorative pieces, enhanced with background paper or other design elements.