Join a special screening of dramatic short films for the DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) 2026 including Back Then, a moving work by emerging Korean filmmaker Junhyeok Kim about a young man whose taxi ride in New York evokes a powerful memory.   Register through the KCCDC below for complimentary admission to this ticketed DCIFF event! Quantities are limited.   This curated DCIFF program brings together six powerful short films exploring memory, family, identity, and emotional turning points. Stick around after the films for a discussion and meeting with Director Junhyeok Kim! For full event information including other featured films and general public ticket sales, please visit the official DCIFF event page. DCIFF Personal & Drama Short Films Collection featuring "Back Then" Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 Time: 2:10 PM – 4:30 PM Location: Regal Gallery Place (701 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) Tickets offered through this page are part of a community ticket sponsorship and are free of charge, with limited availability. REGISTER FOR COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS! About the Film  Title: Back Then Director: Junhyeok Kim Runtime: 13 minutes Country: United States, 2025 Synopsis: As Haneul leaves home for college, a quiet taxi ride to New York stirs a fading childhood memory—sparked by an old, crumpled Leche Frita wrapper. Back Then is a tender reflection on family, memory, and growing up between cultures. About the Director Junhyeok [Eric] Kim is a South Korean filmmaker at New York University Tisch School of the Arts majoring in Film & TV. His first short film "Well-dying," has won over 20 awards and nominations including Audience Award at the Oscar®-qualifying Indy Shorts Film Festival, Special Presentation at the Oscar®-qualifying 32nd Heartland International Film Festival, Oscar®-qualifying deadCenter Festival, Remi Winner at the 56th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, and many more.  ●2024 Oscar® winner Ben Proudfoot's Breakwater Studios quoted Well-dying, "A beautiful piece...sending our big congratulations." ●RogerEbert.com wrote "Wrenching and exquisite. The work of a born filmmaker. It feels like the work of a filmmaker three times his age."  

Join the KCCDC and Asia Families for a special screening of the documentary K-Number, which shares personal stories of Korean adoptees, highlighting their challenges, triumphs, and the ongoing search for self and heritage. This thought-provoking film invites reflection on identity, culture, and community. Stay after the screening for a Q&A with producer Seyoung Jo and several adoptees featured in the film to hear firsthand insights, pose questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the stories portrayed. Free with an RSVP! K-Number Sunday, February 8, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 PM (Discussion & Q&A: 7 – 7:30 PM) Crescendo Studio (8101a US Route 29, Falls Church, VA 22042) RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! About K-Number In the early 1970s, Mioka was found by chance on the street, unable to remember her own name. As the years passed, she traveled to Korea multiple times in search of her birth family. Each time, however, she returned with manipulated documents and concealed records. What is the truth behind the K-Number, and what secrets lie hidden within the missing files? Across time and borders, a long-buried truth begins to surface. Awards & Nominations 2025: 13th Diaspora Film Festival – Diaspora Feature Section 2025: 22nd CPH:DOX – F:ACT Award Nominee 2024: 50th Seoul Independent Film Festival – Grand Prize (Feature Competition) 2024: 50th Seoul Independent Film Festival – Enthusiastic Staff Award 2024: 29th Busan International Film Festival – Wide Angle Documentary Competition / Documentary Audience Award

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Red Horse at the Smithsonian's Lunar New Year Festival, featuring KCCDC cultural displays, activities, giveaways, and more that celebrate Seollal!  Find KCCDC table in the pop-up market inside the Arts + Industries Building, right next door to more festivities and performances at the National Museum of Asian Art. And don't miss Korean dance and drumming group Di Dim Sae Korean Traditional Art Institute the same day!  Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration: Korean Seollal  Saturday, February 21, 12:00 - 6:00 PM  Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building For details and to RSVP, visit the NMAA website. Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) 2026: Celebrating the Year of the Red Horse To celebrate Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, and welcome the Year of the Red Horse (2026), the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. will present an exhibition of traditional Seollal seasonal customs (sesipungsok) and display authentic ceremonial items associated with the holiday. Visitors will receive a limited number of traditional Korean craft souvenirs inspired by Seollal traditions. KCCDC Giveaway Items & Cultural Insights Please note: gifts are limited in quantity, one gift per person, and items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis! Thank you for your understanding.  ●Bokjumeoni (복주머니) – Korean Fortune Pouch A traditional silk pouch symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The bokjumeoni is believed to bring luck and abundance for the coming year. ●Year of the Red Horse 2026 Pin Button (2026년 병오년 붉은 말의 해 핀버튼) A commemorative pin celebrating the Year of the Red Horse, symbolizing energy, progress, and success. ●Bokjori (복조리) – Fortune Strainer A traditional bamboo strainer originally used to wash rice. During Seollal, bokjori is hung at the door to “scoop up” good luck and prosperity throughout the year. ●Mape (마패) – Joseon Dynasty Horse Pass A replica of an official horse credential used during the Joseon Dynasty, allowing government officials safe and unhindered travel. The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. bestows this symbolic horse pass as a token of authority, protection, and rising fortune. ●Aekmagi Myeongtae (액막이 명태) – Good Luck Fish A traditional dried pollock charm symbolizing protection and good fortune. Often hung at the entrance of homes during Seollal to ward off bad luck and welcome blessings. ●Minhwa Coloring Set (민화 컬러링 4종 세트) A Korean traditional folk painting coloring set featuring four symbolic themes: ○Tiger & Magpie – Protection and good fortune ○Peony & Butterfly – Prosperity, happiness, love, and longevity ○Deer & Crane – Peace, nobility, and good fortune ○Chaekgeori – Books and scholars’ objects symbolizing knowledge, learning, and aspiration ●K-Pop Random Album A limited number of K-Pop albums will also be given away as a special surprise gift.  

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to partner with the Trump-Kennedy Center to present fusion ensemble Korean Fever on February 19 for The Legacy of Light, Korea!, a dynamic music, dance, and DJ showcase celebrating the Lunar New Year on the Millennium Stage.   Korean Fever, a diverse ensemble of world music artists led by gayageum zither master Rami Seo, fuses traditional Korean music with contemporary creative compositions, offering a distinctly immersive cultural experience. The Legacy of Light, Korea! weaves together K-Classic, K-Pop, K-Jazz, and Korean traditional performing arts with global styles, transforming five millennia of Korean cultural heritage into a powerful artistic narrative of resilience, hope, and emotional depth.   This event also marks the Lunar New Year, an important traditional holiday of communion celebrated in Korea and elsewhere in 2026 officially on February 17. For their debut at this prestigious venue, Korean Fever will showcase the uniqueness of creative Korean music in a 60-minute performance that blends traditional Korean and Western instruments with live K-Pop inspired dance and DJ sets.  The ensemble features Rami Seo (gayageum, Korean Fever founder), guitarist Ho-Kyung Choi, contrabassist Jeong-Hwan Park, drummer Peter Manheim, vocalists Rina Kim and Eun-Ki Park, DJ Larry Jung, K-pop dance group ALLNIGHTERS (Clara Kim, Seunga Park, Evgeniya Yanzhuraeva), and media artist Sunghyun Jang. The Legacy of Light, Korea! A Lunar New Year Celebration featuring World Music Ensemble Korean Fever  Thursday, February 19, 6:00 PM  Millennium Stage, The Trump Kennedy Center Tickets are free, with advance reservations available beginning Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via the Kennedy Center website: RSVP FOR THIS EVENT! About the Artists   Korean Fever began in 2019 with Korean Fever: Returns and carrying the hope that Korea—having experienced remarkable economic growth and a cultural renaissance from the 1988 Seoul Olympics through the 2000s—would once again enter a new season of prosperity following the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Although the pandemic brought significant challenges, Korean Fever views this as an opportunity for Korea to reveal its potential as a future global leader in economy, culture, and other fields. Since its launch, Korean Fever has completed tours across Korea, East Africa, and three states in the United States, as well as performances throughout Europe (France, Italy, Belgium, Germany), Uzbekistan, Mexico, Israel, Indonesia, and India. Continuing this momentum, Korean Fever is embarking on a world tour aiming to inspire dreams, share Korea’s artistic legacy, and bring healing to audiences across Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and South Africa. Korean Fever provides opportunities for not only Koreans, but also people from all over the world who love Korean culture and Koreans to experience a variety of music genres, from Korean traditional music to K-pop. By sublimating the lives and sufferings unique to immigrants into performing arts, Korean Fever aims to deliver comfort and hope to Koreans and immigrants worldwide. Korean Fever takes as its mission to support the lives of immigrants and inspire pride as Koreans and in Korean culture.   Performers   Rami Seo | Gayageum Hokyung Choy | Guitar Ian Kang | Bass Peter Manheim | Drum Rina Kim | Vocals Eunki Hera Park | Vocals Guest Performers | Abigail Sieun Lee, Ariana Siel Lee, Antonio Camardi, Ayoung OliviaPark, Bomi Kim, David Hanju Youk, Dayeon Lee, Ellis Jinyoung Park, Gianluca Camardi, Hanniel Kim, Lime Park, Marcello Camardi, Minji Kim, Nathanael Siyoo Lee, Nayun Lee, Raham Park West1ne (Larry Jung) | DJ ALL NIGHTERS (Clara Kim, Christina Lee, Evgeniya Yanzhuraeva) | Dance Sunghyun Jang | Media Arts   Rami Seo | Leader of Korean Fever, Gayageum Player Rami Seo is an internationally acclaimed gayageum artist whose work bridges ancient Korean traditions with contemporary global music. She trained in Seoul under world-renowned masters, including several holders of Korea’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage titles. She graduated with top honors from the National Gugak High School and the Seoul National University of Traditional Arts, and later served as valedictorian at Chung-Ang University. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology at Hunter College. With more than 3,000 performances across Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, India, Uzbekistan, Israel, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico, Ms. Seo has appeared on many of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her credits include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center (as the first Korean artist to perform), the United Nations, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Flushing Town Hall, Symphony Space, La MaMa, and major international theaters and festivals. Since 2007, she has led Rami Seo’s World Music Ensemble and GEMiNY as founder and music director. She is also a prominent radio host on AM1660 K-Radio. Her ongoing world tour project, Korean Fever, continues to share Korea’s artistic legacy and inspire audiences around the globe.   Ho-kyung Jesse Choy | Guitar Jesse Choy is a highly versatile guitarist known for his natural lyricism, fluency across diverse musical languages, and refined technical command. Equally respected as a performer and educator, he has built an international career grounded in musical depth and integrity. Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Jesse began his musical training in classical guitar and composition before discovering jazz through the music of Wes Montgomery. After gaining recognition through numerous competitions, he quickly established himself as one of Korea’s most in-demand guitarists. He later received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, completing his undergraduate degree in just two and a half years, followed by a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from New York University. He has completed all coursework toward a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree and is currently finishing his dissertation. Now based in New York City, Jesse remains an active presence on the jazz scene, performing at leading venues and collaborating with distinguished musicians. His compositions and performances have been presented throughout the United States and Europe. As a faculty member at multiple universities, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians.   Peter Manheim | Drums & Percussion Peter Manheim is a drummer and percussionist from Evanston, Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with acclaimed drummers Billy Hart and Jamey Haddad. Currently based in Brooklyn, Peter performs regularly throughout New York City as well as nationally and internationally with a wide range of ensembles. His debut EP, In Time, was released in 2023 on Northern Spy Records, followed by a full-length album, Early Waves, released in 2025 on his own label, Nü Bossa Recordings. Rina Kim | Soprano Soprano Rina Kim is a New York–based performer and vocal educator active in both classical music and musical theatre. She holds degrees from Ewha Womans University, the Mannes School of Music, and Teachers College at Columbia University, and is also a full-scholarship graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). She made her musical theatre debut in The King and I alongside Lou Diamond Phillips and has since performed in productions and concerts across the United States as a member of Actors’ Equity Association. As a classical soprano, she is a winner of the Artist International Competition and has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Concert Hall. Ms. Kim currently serves on the voice faculty at Poly Prep Country Day School and is completing coursework in voice science at New York University. She is preparing the release of her debut album following a recording collaboration with the Hungarian MAV Orchestra.   Eunki Hera Park | Vocals Eunki Hera Park is a versatile vocalist based in New York and New Jersey, known for her expressive style and strong command of Korean popular music. She won first place in a major pop vocal competition in New York and previously received top honors at a collegiate music festival in Korea. As the lead vocalist of a live band and a beloved radio personality for three years, she has captivated audiences with her dynamic performances and engaging stage presence. Hera continues to promote Korean music and connect with listeners through her distinctive voice.   Larry Jung (west1ne) | DJ & Music Producer Larry Jung, professionally known as west1ne, resides in New Jersey and is originally from Queens, New York. He has been an active music producer for over 15 years, working across a wide range of genres. His career includes a platinum record with artist Joji and widespread respect from peers and mentors within the industry. In recent years, Larry has expanded his artistic practice to DJing and audio engineering, curating music for live performances and producing large-scale events. He has also been involved in producing cultural events such as Manse, which explore and celebrate Korean American identity. He is passionate about sharing his experience in music production and continuing to contribute to the cultural and creative community.   ALLNIGHTERS (Clara Kim, Seunga Park, Evgeniya Yanzhuraeva) | Dance Crew ALLNIGHTERS is a New York City–based K-pop dance team founded by Clara Kim. The group is known for its high-energy dance covers and signature one-take performance videos filmed in Times Square. Blending expression, musicality, and group synchronization, the team aims to bridge fan culture with professional performance. Under Clara Kim’s leadership and creative direction, ALLNIGHTERS has built a strong digital presence, with their YouTube channel surpassing 120,000 subscribers and performance videos averaging over 300,000 views. Notable performances include K-Pop Club Night, Korea Fest, and the Annual Korean Parade & Festival hosted by KAAGNY. In 2025, the team earned first place at both the NJKACC K-Pop Dance Contest and the Skyview High K-Pop Cover Competition.  

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