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Ran Hwang | Noble Blossoms

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In her solo exhibition, Ran Hwang presents large-scale installations that are both intricate and poetic, delicate yet dramatic, as they explore the cyclical patterns of life and the fleeting nature of beauty.

Hwang creates her art through a meticulous and repetitive process, utilizing everyday materials such as paper buttons and pins. This requires intense concentration and discipline, reflecting the meditative state of Zen masters and the spiritual values traditionally sought by scholars of the past. While painstaking and labor intensive, the process also embodies an aesthetic of transcending difficulty, ultimately visualizing a serene beauty and noble spirit that defines the artist’s unique perspective. Through her work, Hwang evokes a sense of tranquility, inviting the viewer into an experience that seeks fulfillment and peace.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Ran Hwang‘s work permanently resides in the collections of internationally acclaimed venues, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Deji Art Museum in Nanjing, Dubai Opera House, Des Moines Art Center in Iowa, New York University and National Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul. Her work has been exhibited internationally at venues including AAW(Asian Art Works), Leila Heller Gallery in New York and Dubai , Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Mass MoCA in Boston, Fondation d’entreprise Hermès in Singapore, the Facebook New York Headquarter, Baker Museum in Florida, and Venice Biennale 2024. She has won Gold Prize by AHL Foundation NY in 2004 and Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2015. Hwang has studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Author Talks:
Bo-young Kim

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“Her fiction is a breath-taking piece of cinematic art itself. Reminiscent of the world we experienced in Matrix, Inception, and Dark City, still it leads us to this entirely original structure, which is a ground-breaking, mystic literary and cinematic experience. Indeed, powerful and graceful.”—Bong Joon-ho, Oscar-winning director of Parasite

In her mind-expanding work of speculative fiction, Bo-young Kim explores the driving forces of humanity—love, hope, creation, destruction, and the very meaning of existence. Straddling science fiction, fantasy and myth, her strikingly original, thought-provoking work teems with human and non-human beings, all of whom are striving to survive through evolution, whether biologically, technologically or socially. Kim’s literature of ideas offers some of the most rigorous and surprisingly poignant reflections on posthuman existence being written today.

An award-winning author widely recognized as a pioneer and inspiration in Korean literature, Bo-young Kim discusses her career in this episode of Author Talks.

 

About the Author:

Bo-Young Kim is a Korean speculative-fiction writer. Her debut work, a novella titled The Experience of Touch, unanimously won the award for the best novella at the Korean Science & Technology Creative Writing Awards in 2004. In 2010 she published a two-volume collection of short stories, The Story Goes That Far and An Evolutionary Myth. 2013 saw the publication of her first novel, The Seven Executioners, which won the South Korean SF Award. Her international recognition grew with On the Origin of Species and Other Stories, translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Joungmin Lee Comfort, which was longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Translated Literature. Before her career as an author, she worked as a screenwriter, game developer, and graphic designer; she has also worked as a script advisor for Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer.

Korean Messiah

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Program Brief

Korean Messiah

In the launch event for Korean Messiah, Wall Street Journal China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng challenged conventional thinking around North Korea and described the surprising, enduring influence of American Presbyterian Christianity on Kim Il Sung’s cult of personality.

This program was hosted in collaboration with The Center for Korean Research at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.

Event Date: Monday, April 13, 2026

Host Organizations: The Korea Society; The Center for Korean Research at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University

Speakers:

• Jonathan Cheng, China Bureau Chief, The Wall Street Journal; author of Korean Messiah

• Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea (discussant)

• Moderated by Jonathan Corrado, Policy Director, The Korea Society

Key Takeaways

1. Pyongyang’s Religious History as the “Jerusalem of the East”

Cheng revealed that before Pyongyang became the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), it was the epicenter of Christian missionary activity in Asia. Kim Il Sung was born and raised in a deeply religious environment, even serving as a Sunday school teacher and an organist in the church.

2. Kim Il Sung Utilized Elements of His Religious Upbringing to Build His Personality Cult

Cheng argued that although Kim Il Sung eventually became hostile toward organized religion, he was fundamentally shaped by his childhood in the church. The regime effectively repurposed Christian mythology, supernatural narratives, and organizational structures—such as mass study halls—to establish a personality cult that portrays the Kim family as messianic, divine figures to whom the population must show absolute devotion.

3. Historical Insights into the North Korean Regime’s “Otherness”

Both Cheng and author Barbara Demick, who joined for the conversation, emphasized that North Korea is often viewed as a hermetically sealed, incomprehensible “other.” However, by examining the historical roots—including the influence of American missionaries and the movement of people in Manchuria—the book demonstrates that the North Korean state is not a vacuum. It is a product of its history and global influences, highlighting the importance of understanding these origins to grasp the reality of life for the 25 million people living there today.

This program is co-hosted by The Center for Korean Research at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.

About the Speakers:

Photo credit: Gilles Sabrie
Jonathan Cheng is the China bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, and was previously the Korea bureau chief, running coverage of the Korean peninsula, including politics and society in both North and South Korea. A native of Toronto, he lives in Beijing. He has traveled to North Korea twice.
Barbara Demick is author of Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea and Logavina Street: Life and Death in a Sarajevo Neighborhood and the recently released Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town, published by Random House in July 2020. She was bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times in Beijing and Seoul, and previously reported from the Middle East and Balkans for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

2026 Annual Gala

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This year, the Korea Society is honored to announce the 2026 Van Fleet Award recipient is Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, in recognition of his visionary leadership and transformative contributions to the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor industries sectors central to the evolving U.S. Korea economic partnership. Jensen Huang co-founded NVIDIA in 1993 and invented the GPU in 1999 the breakthrough that built the foundation of today AI evolution. His deep and sustained partnerships with SK Group, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, and Never have made South Korea an indispensable partner in global AI infrastructure. The 2026 Van Fleet Award honors, for the first time, Huang historic and ongoing contribution to the U.S. Korea bilateral alliance and the technology future they are building together.

Honoring Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO of NVIDIA COPY

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Honoring Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO of NVIDIA

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Kim Koo: Dreaming of Peace Through the Power of Culture

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May 28-August 31, 2026 | The Korea Society is honored to host a special exhibition honoring the life, enduring vision, and profound legacy of Kim Koo—one of the most revered leaders of the Korean independence movement. As a central figure in the Korean independence movement and the President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, Kim Koo presented a visionary outlook that emphasized national strength based on culture rather than military or economic power. |

The Korea Society is honored to host a special exhibition honoring the life, enduring vision, and profound legacy of Kim Koo—one of the most revered leaders of the Korean independence movement. As a central figure in the Korean independence movement and the President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, Kim Koo presented a visionary outlook that emphasized national strength based on culture rather than military or economic power. To commemorate UNESCO’s designation of 2026 as the 150th anniversary of Kim Koo’s birth, The Korea Society offers a unique opportunity to reflect on his legacy through a visual exhibition.

This exhibition is produced in partnership between The Korea Society and The Association of Commemorative Service for Patriot Kim Koo and made possible by the support of the Kim Koo Foundation.

 

Kim Koo: Dreaming of Peace Through the Power of Culture

May 28-August 31, 2026

 

The Korea Society Gallery is open only by appointment. The appointment must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit. To make an appointment, please contact info@koreasociety.org.

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM-4:30 PM
By Appointment Only

 

 

Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Kim Koo’s Birth:
Exhibition Opening & Presentation

Invitation-only

 Live Webcast: Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 6 PM (EDT)

 

Kim Koo and UNESCO’s Shared Vision of Culture — The Story Behind the 150th Birth Anniversary Designation :

UNESCO has designated 2026 as a year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Kim Koo’s birth. This decision goes beyond a simple historical tribute; it is the international community’s official recognition that Kim Koo’s vision—achieving world peace through the “power of culture” rather than economic or military might—aligns deeply with the universal values pursued by UNESCO.

As the President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, Kim Koo led the independence movement and understood the importance of international solidarity better than anyone. In 1932, following the patriotic deeds of Yi Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, he managed to evade the pursuit of the Japanese Imperialists and continue his activities through the vital assistance of American missionary Dr. George Fitch. Furthermore, he solidified the foundation for independence through practical cooperation with democratic nations, such as collaborating with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to prepare for “The Eagle Project,” a domestic infiltration operation. He also successfully persuaded Chiang Kai-shek to ensure the guarantee of Korean independence at the Cairo Conference. These actions demonstrate that Kim Koo’s independence movement was more than mere resistance; it was part of an international solidarity effort sharing the universal values of freedom and human rights.

Kim Koo’s true pioneering spirit became even more evident after liberation. In his essay “My Wish,” included in his 1947 autobiography Paikbum Ilji (백범일지), he emphasized moving past hatred to build a nation where everyone enjoys happiness through cultural development, thereby contributing to world peace. His vision—that humanity can only prosper together when each nation develops its unique culture and engages in mutual exchange—is strikingly consistent with UNESCO’s cultural philosophy today. 

The designation of this UNESCO anniversary year is the culmination of extensive preparations that began in June 2024. The process required meticulous attention due to various international and political circumstances. The final hurdle, consent from North Korea, was cleared through the method of “tacit consent”; leading to the final confirmation. This serves as a significant opportunity for Korea to expand its global contribution to cultural policy and discourse. At the same time, it is a meaningful declaration to the world that the spirit of Kim Koo—who fought against imperialist violence while ultimately aiming for human happiness and world peace—remains a vital universal value in our modern era.

 

The Korea Society 
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Dr. Abraham Kim, President & CEO

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Dr. Abraham Kim, Ph.D. is the President & CEO of The Korea Society, where he leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen ties between the United States and Korea through policy dialogue, business engagement, and cultural exchange.

Dr. Kim brings more than 25 years of experience in public policy, national security, and nonprofit leadership, with a career focused on U.S.–Korea relations and Northeast Asia. He has worked closely with senior government officials, business leaders, and international organizations, providing analysis and guidance on geopolitical and economic issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

Prior to joining The Korea Society, Dr. Kim served as Executive Director & President of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA), where he expanded the organization’s national footprint and strengthened its role in policy engagement and leadership development. He previously served as Executive Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana and as Interim President and Vice President of the Korea Economic Institute of America, where he supported public diplomacy initiatives and educational programs focused on the U.S.–Korea alliance.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Kim worked as a policy and risk analyst at Eurasia Group, CSIS, and SAIC, focusing on political risk, crisis simulations, and regional security issues in Northeast Asia. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Political Science from Columbia University, an M.A. from Harvard University, and a B.A. from Boston University.

Yurim Oh, Education Program Officer

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Yurim Oh is The Korea Society’s Education Program Officer and serves as the coordinator of the Society’s Korean Language Program (KLP). Yurim is responsible for supporting the development, management, and promotion of KLP. She focuses on marketing and outreach to expand the program’s reach while also contributing to curriculum development. Prior to joining The Korea Society in 2025, Yurim worked as a program director and instructor at Semonemo.US. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Science degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology at the University at Albany. Yurim also holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Seoul.

Sara Oh, Business and Economics Program Associate

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Sara is the Business and Economics Program Associate at The Korea Society. She provides support to the corporate programs, focusing on US-ROK economic relations, the startup sector, and related leadership programs. Prior to joining the Korea Society, she has interned at The Ditchley Foundation and at the US-Asia Institute and has conducted various research about Korea’s role in the world, such as Korea’s modern economic development, Korean diaspora studies, South Korea and China’s cultural diplomatic ties, and East Asian modern territoriality. She holds an MSc in International Relations from The London School of Economics and a double B.A. in Global Liberal Studies and Social Cultural Analysis (high honors) from New York University.