Recent years have seen a wave of Korean pop culture—known as hallyu—sweep across Asia as consumers from Thailand to Japan became ardent fans of Korean TV dramas, movies and music acts. No pop culture phenomenon lasts forever, however, and recently released statistics suggest that exports from Korea’s entertainment industry are now declining. Is the Korean wave finally ebbing? If so, why? And what can be done about it? These questions… Read More

Hollywood makes lots of legal thrillers, but none of them speak so directly to the Korean American experience as the newly released West 32nd. While in New York for the film’s premiere at the Tribeca Flim Festival, co-writer and director Michael Kang and stars Grace Park and Jun Sung Kim came to The Korea Society for a freewheeling panel discussion on how the film was made and what this unique, Korean American statement means to its creators.… Read More

The Korea Society co- presents a 'Hong Sang-Soo tribute' with BAM Cinematek, featuring the celebrated Korean director's three latest films that have won over critics and audiences alike worldwide - Woman is the Future of Man, Tale of Cinema and Woman on the Beach. "One of the most exciting and authentically individual filmmakers to emerge on the world stage recently.... Wreathed in a profound melancholy, Hong's films lyrically explore the… Read More

A special line-up of acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho's box-office mega-hits will include showings of Barking Dogs Never Bite and Memories of Murder, and shorts Incoherence and Sink and Rise. Bong will attend the screening of his latest film, The Host, for a Q&A afterwards. Bong Joon-Ho took the 2006 Cannes Film Festival by storm with his smart, terrifying new monster movie The Host. In anticipation of the film's… Read More

The Korea Society once again provided financial and logistical support for the New York Korean Film Festival in 2005 and also served as its fiscal agent. For the fifth year in a row, the best in new wave Korean cinema was brought to the streets of New York under the auspices of this unique event, which is presented annually by Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and organized by Media Bank, Inc.… Read More