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Category: Arts & Culture

Afterlayers : Tai Hwa Goh & Julia Kwon

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Image courtesy of the Artists

Two artists transform traditional materials–textile and paper–to explore themes of identity and memory.

Tai Hwa Goh creates intricate, layered installations from printed and cut paper, inspired by organic forms, landscapes, and the relationship between the interior and exterior. Goh’s process pushes the limits of traditional printmaking, as she modifies the characteristics of paper and thin fabric by covering with batik or ironing thin sheets of beeswax onto her prints, deliberately obscuring the underlying images. She then uses techniques like sewing, gluing, and manipulating printed materials to construct intricate, honeycomb-like structures. Found objects seamlessly integrate into the work, reflecting the blending of the personal and the universal, as well as natural and artificial elements.Through this process, the imagery gradually moves away from recognizable forms, and the dense layers serve as a space where nature, memory, and personal experience intertwine. Her installations invite viewers to contemplate the balance between the natural world and human existence, and how everyday moments can reveal deeper insights into our lives.

Julia Kwon sews interpretive Korean textiles, specifically in the form of patchwork bojagi (Korean object-wrapping cloth), to critique received notions of Asiatic femininity and challenge reductive, easily legible identities. Although her bojagi textiles may initially be perceived as traditionally Korean, the patchwork designs are actually derived from urgent contemporary sociopolitical issues and events. Her work moves beyond simply representing minority identities as she aims to comment on the interconnected systems of oppression. Kwon’s practice contests the notion of authenticity and explores the complexities involved in constructing identities within the current framework of cultural hybridity, intersectionality, and the collective pursuit of social justice.

 

The Korea Society Gallery is open only by appointment.
The appointment must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.

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

 

Book your appointment here

 

About the Artists

ARTIST

Tai Hwa Goh

Tai Hwa Goh is a Korean-born artist who primarily works with printmaking and paper installation. From 2000 to 2007, she established a significant career as both a professional artist and a lecturer in the Washington D.C. area. Since relocating to the New York Metropolitan area in 2007, Goh has continued to exhibit her artwork widely.

Her exhibitions including Sunroom at Wavehill (Bronx, NY), Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria, VA), NARS Foundation (Brooklyn, NY), Wave Hill (Bronx, NY), William Paterson University (Wayne, NJ), Frances M. Maguire Art Museum, Saint Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, PA), Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ), Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Art (New York, NY), International Print Center (New York, NY), DUMBO Art Festival, Islip Museum (East Islip, NY), Gallery Aferro (Newark, NJ), AIR Gallery (Brooklyn, NY), Snug Harbor Center for The Art (Staten Island, NY) and more. She has been awarded grants and residencies from Museum of Art and Design, Lower East Side Print Shop, Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Aljira A Center for Contemporary Art, and Vermont Studio Center. Goh is a recipient of National Endowments for the Arts, New Jersey Individual Artist Fellowship Awards, the Gold Award winner of the AHL Visual Art Competition and The Artist of The Year from Korean Cultural Center (Washington, D.C.). Her work is in the collection of Booker- Lowe Gallery (Houston, TX), Art Bank (Washington, D.C.), DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (Washington, D.C.), and Sadat Collection, University of Maryland (College Park, MD).

Goh received a MFA degree at the University of Maryland specializing in printmaking and sculpture. She also received a MFA in printmaking at Seoul National University in Korea.

 

ARTIST

Julia Kwon

Julia Kwon has exhibited at venues including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery (Washington, DC), Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (New York, NY), Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia Beach, VA), Museum of International Folk Art (Santa Fe, NM), Museum of Contemporary Art (Arlington, VA), Peale Center at Carroll Museums (Baltimore, MD), Hartnett Gallery at the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY), Taubman Center at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI), Biggin Gallery at Auburn University (Auburn, AL), and Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria, VA), among others. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery (Washington, DC), Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (New York, NY), Museum of International Folk Art (Santa Fe, NM), The New York Public Library (New York, NY), Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Thomas J. Watson Library (New York, NY), and Yale University’s Haas Arts Library Special Collections (New Haven, CT), among others.

She has presented artist lectures and workshops at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington, DC), The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC), Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia Beach, VA), Museum of Contemporary Art (Arlington, VA), Parsons School of Design (New York, NY), Georgetown University (Washington, DC), Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH), American University (Washington, DC), Emerson College (Boston, MA), and University of Rochester (Rochester, NY), among others.

Her work has been highlighted in Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, The Washington Post, Korea.net, Hyperallergic, BmoreArt, PBS’s WETA Arts, Arirang News, SBS News, and The Wedding Banquet (2025, directed by Andrew Ahn). She was awarded artist residencies at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Chautauqua School of Art, Headlands Center for the Arts, Santa Fe Art Institute, Textile Arts Center, Vermont Studio Center, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, among others.

​Kwon holds a BA in Studio Art from Georgetown University and an MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.

Koreatown, NYC:
The Consumption of a Transnational Brand

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In the past decade, Korean entertainment has gained global recognition, with Korean movies and TV shows winning Oscars and Emmys, and K-Pop groups becoming wildly popular. In Manhattan, Koreatown has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists, drawing them in with its bars, restaurants, and day spas. Jinwon Kim argues that Manhattan’s Koreatown has become a new type of ethnic enclave, what she dubs a “transclave.” This commercialized ethnic space exists solely for consumption, leisure, and entertainment, and has been shaped by South Korea’s nation-branding strategy, new economic and cultural strategies, patterns in Korean migration, and shifts in tourism and urban policies in New York City. Kim posits that for many consumers in Koreatown, especially those who are not of Korean descent, the space has become a commercialized place where transnational culture meets the diverse racial and ethnic mosaic of New York City. Kim emphasizes how the space functions to “brand Korea” as a space to “consume ethnicity,” reflecting the landscape of South Korea’s consumer culture through the physical appearance of buildings and stores and the inclusion of franchise brands.

In this talk, Kim explores the recent popularity of Korean food in New York City by focusing on both transnational and domestic factors, leading to the new trend of commercialization of ethnic food, emphasis on authenticity, and rise of the omnivore society, by delivering the voices of ordinary people. While Koreatown’s authenticity has been largely defined by commercialized ethnic cuisine by local entrepreneurs, the Korean government, and franchises, Kim argues that Koreatown’s authenticity has represented the collective imaginations and narratives of various consumer groups–Korean nationals, Korean Americans, and non-Koreans.

This program will be recorded then released on October 1.

About the Speaker

Speaker

Jinwon Kim

Jinwon Kim is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Smith College. She is the author of Koreatown, NYC: The Consumption of a Transnational Brand and a co-editor of Koreatowns: Exploring the Economics, Politics, and Identities of Korean Spatial Formations.

Gather Around My Table

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Where does a great recipe come from? For Kay Chun, it’s all about inspiration. And to a lifelong New Yorker, inspiration is all around. Drawing from a global pantry of ingredients—the Korean influences she grew up with and the many flavors that have shaped her—she shares fresh yet familiar dishes the whole family will love in her debut cookbook, Gather Around My Table.

In her conversation with Eric Kim, Kay Chun will discuss her career and her debut cookbook.



About the Speaker

Speaker

Kay Chun

Esther Choi is a chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality. She is the owner of Mokbar, with locations ranging from New York City to Las Vegas, and Ms. Yoo, a Korean-style gastropub in Manhattan. Choi is the co-host of Food Network’s 24 on 24 and the host of “Heat Eaters” by First We Feast (12.9 M subscribers), a spinoff from the hit series “Hot Ones.” Choi has been a finalist on Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. She lives in New York City with her husband and son.


About the Moderator

Moderator

Eric Kim

Eric Kim is a New York Times contributor and essayist born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His debut cookbook, Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home, was an instant New York Times Best Seller. A former digital manager for the Food Network and contributing editor for Saveur magazine, he now hosts regular videos on NYT Cooking’s YouTube channel and writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine.

Hand Taste: Cook Like a Korean Grandmother with Esther Choi

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We all know cooks whose fingertips seem to infuse every meal with deliciousness. In Korean, that magic touch is called sohn-mat, or “hand taste”―but you don’t have to be born with it. Esther Choi picked hers up from her halmoni, or grandmother, who used her hands for everything from smearing cabbage with pepper paste to make kimchi to crumbling tofu for mandu (dumpling) filling and tossing vibrantly flavored noodles for japchae.

Hand taste starts with seasoning but ultimately describes a way of cooking rooted in heritage, intuition, and heart. In her hotly anticipated debut cookbook Hand Taste: Cook Like a Korean Grandmother Choi offers delicious entry points to Korean and Korean-American cuisine, with foundational techniques alongside quick weeknight recipes and show-stopping traditional spreads. In her conversation with Eric Kim, Esther Choi will discuss her career and her debut cookbook.

About the Speaker

Speaker

Esther Choi

Esther Choi is a chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality. She is the owner of Mokbar, with locations ranging from New York City to Las Vegas, and Ms. Yoo, a Korean-style gastropub in Manhattan. Choi is the co-host of Food Network’s 24 on 24 and the host of “Heat Eaters” by First We Feast (12.9 M subscribers), a spinoff from the hit series “Hot Ones.” Choi has been a finalist on Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. She lives in New York City with her husband and son.


About the Moderator

Moderator

Eric Kim

Eric Kim is a New York Times contributor and essayist born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His debut cookbook, Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home, was an instant New York Times Best Seller. A former digital manager for the Food Network and contributing editor for Saveur magazine, he now hosts regular videos on NYT Cooking’s YouTube channel and writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine.

Taeku Lee

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With the ever-growing need to understand ourselves and humanity as a whole, it is necessary to examine the concepts of morality, ethics and universal values as guiding principles of the human condition. With generous support from Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation, The Korea Society presents a Series on Ethics and Common Values.

This series promotes the understanding of central themes of our human existence through a series of lectures by distinguished speakers and conversation with extraordinary individuals who exemplify the universal values in line with the mission of Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation and The Korea Society.

The Korea Society and Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation is proud to present Professor Taeku Lee.

 

This program is made possible by the support from Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation

 

About the Speaker

Speaker

Taeku Lee

Taeku Lee is Bae Family Professor of Government and Faculty Dean of Dunster House at Harvard University. Lee has researched and written extensively on racial and ethnic politics, public opinion and political behavior, identity and inequality, and deliberative and participatory democracy. He recently published Race and Inequality in America and Billionaire Backlash (with Pepper Culpepper).

Lee is also President of the American Political Science Association and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught for two decades. Lee is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the 2024 class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Political and Social Science and the Board of Overseers of the American National Election Studies. He previously served on the National Advisory Committee for the U.S. Census Bureau and the Board of Overseers of the General Social Survey and has held honorary or visiting appointments at Yale, Oxford, the European University Institute, and the Brookings Institution.

Born in Masan, Korea, Lee spent his childhood years in rural Malaysia, lower Manhattan, and suburban Michigan. He is a proud graduate of K-12 public schools, the University of Michigan, Harvard, and the University of Chicago.

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.

 

Author Talks: Kim Eui-Kyung

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In her absorbing and candid novel Hello Baby, Kim Eui Kyung explores what women endure to become mothers. The novel features six women in their thirties and forties who strike up a friendship at a fertility clinic in Seoul and share their personal paths to motherhood via a group chat they name “Hello Baby.” Switching between the six characters—a journalist, a police officer, a vet, a lawyer, and two housewives—this thought-provoking novel explores the social pressure and emotional strain on women struggling to conceive. Written with insight, humor, and great empathy, Hello Baby is a moving portrait of what it means to be a woman today and the lengths some will go to seek motherhood.

In this episode of Author Talks, Kim Eui-Kyung discusses her novel, translated into English by Sora Kim-Russell.

About the Author

Author

Kim Eui-kyung

Kim Eui-kyung is a novelist and essayist. Her debut novel, Youth Bankruptcy (2014) won the Korea Economic Daily Youth Literary Contest, and her second novel Call Center was awarded the 6th Soorim Literary Prize. She also published the story collection Showroom, set against the backdrop of IKEA, and the essay collection The Season Called Life. Her latest novel Hello Baby is a groundbreaking work of Korean feminist fiction about a group of women undergoing IVF at a fertility clinic in Seoul.

Leesle: Korean Chic

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Leesle Hwang has built a distinctive fashion universe by reinterpreting Korean heritage through a modern lens. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that “fashion comes to life not in a museum, but on the street.” Determined to transform time-honored traditions into living, breathing style, she reconstructs hanbok silhouettes, signature details, and unique textiles with contemporary materials, creating designs that are both distinctive and accessible. This vision has cultivated a devoted global following, positioning her as a pioneering voice in the emerging fashion genre of “Korean Chic” at a time when global interest in K-culture is at an all-time high.

In a conversation with The Korea Society, Leesle discusses her brand and design philosophy.



Okdongsik

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With a philosophy rooted in simplicity, precision, and balance, Chef Dongsik Ok has reframed traditional Korean comfort food through a minimalist and modern lens. His eponymous restaurant Okdongsik’s signature dish is an elegant yet deeply comforting pork broth, dwaeji gomtang.

Since its launch in Seoul’s Seogyo-dong neighborhood in 2017, Okdongsik has earned critical acclaim and recognition with the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction for eight consecutive years, establishing it as one of Seoul’s premier dining spots. Now an international brand, Okdongsik has expanded its presence beyond Seoul with locations in New York (Manhattan and Bayside), Honolulu, Tokyo, and Paris. The brand’s ongoing growth focuses on small, highly curated spaces that prioritize consistency, quality, and operational discipline, and the chef’s commitment and dedication is transforming Korean soul food into a globally recognized culinary category.

In his conversation with Vivian Lee, Chef Dongsik Ok shares his insights on his career, food philosophy, and the restaurant industry.

In this talk, Kim explores the recent popularity of Korean food in New York City by focusing on both transnational and domestic factors, leading to the new trend of commercialization of ethnic food, emphasis on authenticity, and rise of the omnivore society, by delivering the voices of ordinary people. While Koreatown’s authenticity has been largely defined by commercialized ethnic cuisine by local entrepreneurs, the Korean government, and franchises, Kim argues that Koreatown’s authenticity has represented the collective imaginations and narratives of various consumer groups–Korean nationals, Korean Americans, and non-Koreans.

About the Speaker

Speaker

Chef Dongsik Ok

Chef Dongsik Ok is the founder and owner chef of Okdongsik. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Science from Kyung Hee University and opened the first Okdongsik restaurant in Seoul’s Seogyo-dong neighborhood in 2017. The restaurant quickly gained critical acclaim and has been awarded the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction for eight consecutive years, establishing it as one of Seoul’s most respected dining destinations. Since entering the U.S. market, Okdongsik has grown into an international presence, with locations in New York (Manhattan and Bayside), Honolulu, Tokyo, and Paris. Chef Dongsik Ok gained broader international recognition following his appearance on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars 2 (2025), where his culinary philosophy and signature dishes were introduced to a global audience.



About the Moderator

Moderator

Vivian Lee Ok

Vivian Lee is an Emmy-winning TV journalist, public speaker, moderator and director/producer in New York. Currently a correspondent for the magazine show Asian American Life. CUNY-TV, Vivian garnered her third Emmy nomination this year for producing and hosting CUNY-TV’s special on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. She also co-hosts the podcast The 5 Of Us, which examines career and life issues affecting women at work. Vivian anchored, reported and hosted for NY1 Spectrum News between 2008 and 2020, covering stories of national and international importance, including the pandemic, social justice protests, and the 2020 general election. Vivian also hosted Spotlight New York, a weekly magazine show exploring the arts landscape of the five boroughs of NYC. She was awarded an Emmy in 2020 for her story on Manhattan’s iconic Joe’s Pub.

The Illusion of Pastness:
Hanbok on Screen

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Korean visual entertainment—including films, K-dramas, and K-pop music videos—is the result of highly sophisticated planning and production. These productions captivate a global audience by synthesizing music, narrative, and styling to deliver striking visual aesthetics and compelling emotional narratives. Costume is central to this production system, and it plays an instrumental role in the aesthetic appeal and popularity of the media. For luxury brands, K-drama serves as a powerful niche marketing platform, while traditional dress (hanbok) is pivotal to nation branding.

Dress historian Dr. Minjee Kim will offer fresh insights into Korean period costume as a visual and narrative language closely aligned with the development of plot and storyline. She will demonstrate how period costumes produce the “illusion of pastness” rather than the past itself, operating within a narrower range of sartorial possibilities, thereby negotiating historical accuracy, constructing stylized appearances, and translating dynamically into contemporary aesthetics.

This program is co-hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York.

 

 

 

About the Speaker:

 

Minjee Kim is an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she teaches History of East Asian Dress. She earned her PhD from Seoul National University and is the co-editor of Dress History of Korea: Critical Perspectives on Primary Sources (Bloomsbury, 2023). Her research interests include the historiography of Korean dress and fashion, research methodology, fashion history pedagogy, and archival practices. www.kimminjee.com.

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