The General James A. Van Fleet Award, given annually since 1992 by The Korea Society, is awarded “to one or more distinguished Koreans or Americans in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.” It is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of U.S.–Korea relations.
The award is named for General James A. Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army at the height of the Korean War in 1951. Beginning in 1957, General Van Fleet served as the first president of The Korea Society.
The award is formally presented to the recipient each year at The Korea Society’s annual dinner.
The Korea Society hosts several membership development and outreach events every year to introduce and promote Korean culture, music, and cuisine. Annual events include Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea where over 200 of our members and friends attend a Lunar New Year’s party and Student Night where college students from over 50 universities come together for an evening of fun.
Spring 2026 Happy Hour Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 6 PM
We invite you to The Korea Society’s Spring 2026 Happy Hour! Celebrate the arrival of spring with a cherry blossom–themed happy hour, inspired by Korea’s beloved cherry blossom festivals … Read More
Annual Membership Party 2026 Thursday, January 29 | 6:30 PM
The Korea Society is pleased to host its 2026 Annual Membership Party on Thursday, January 29, at 6:30 PM at The Korea Society. Held in celebration of the Lunar New Year, the evening expresses the Society’s deep appreciation for our members, supporters, and partners and will feature a variety of Korean cuisine, live performances, and engaging programs, including a raffle and auction … Read More
Fall 2025 Happy Hour Friday, September 12, 2025 | 6-9 PM
Join us for The Korea Society’s Fall 2025 Happy Hour! Celebrate the new season with fellow members, partners, and friends at The Korea Society … Read More
Makgeolli Tasting Event: A Taste of Korea Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 6 PM
Join us at The Korea Society for a special evening celebrating makgeolli, Korean traditional rice wine, with tastings from some of New York’s leading makgeolli brands. Led by a certified makgeolli sommelier, this event will introduce the basic history of makgeolli, explore its unique varieties, and guide you through a curated tasting experience. This event is open to guests 21+ only … Read More
Spring 2025 Happy Hour Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 6 PM
Join us for The Korea Society’s Spring 2025 Happy Hour!
This event will take place at The Korea Society (350 Madison Ave, Fl 24, New York, NY 10017) on Thursday, May 1st at 6:00 PM. Connect with fellow members, along with organization partners and friends, over drinks on our beautiful outdoor terrace! … Read More
Annual Membership Party 2025 Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Celebrate new beginnings with the Year of the Snake! We are excited to share that our Annual Membership Party will take place at The Korea Society on Wednesday, January 29th at 6:30 PM (EST). We would be honored to have you join us to celebrate the incredible contributions of our members as we celebrate the start of the 2025 Lunar New Year!… Read More
Annual Membership Party 2024 Thursday, February 7, 2024 | 6:30 PM (EST)
Welcome the Year of the Dragon! We are delighted to invite you to our Annual Membership Party on Wednesday, February 7th at 6:30 PM (EST). Join us in honoring The Korea Society’s valued members with the start of the 2024 Lunar New Year!… Read More
Annual Membership Party 2023 Thursday, January 26, 2023 | 6:30 PM (EST)
The Korea Society is pleased to invite you to our Annual Membership Appreciation Party. As one of our flagship events to express our deep sense of gratitude for our members and supporters, the party will be full of festivities… Read More
VIRTUAL Annual Membership Party 2022 Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | 6 PM (EST)
Celebrate 2022, the Year of the Tiger with us! The Korea Society is pleased to invite you to our members-only VIRTUAL Annual Membership Appreciation Party on Wednesday, February 16, beginning at 6 PM EST. … Read More
VIRTUAL Annual Membership Party 2021 Thursday, February 11, 2021 | 6 PM EST
Celebrate the Year of Ox with us! The Korea Society is pleased to invite you to our members-only VIRTUAL New Year’s Party on Thursday, February 11, beginning at 6 PM EST. This annual event celebrates our members who support us throughout the year… Read More
Annual Membership Party 2020 Thursday, January 30, 2020 | 6:30 PM
Celebrate the New Year with The Korea Society as we welcome the Year of the Rat with greater advancements to come! Meet fellow members, supporters, and friends and enjoy Korean-themed drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment… Read More
Annual Membership Party 2019 Thursday, January 31, 2019 | 6:30 PM
Become a member of the Korea Society today and celebrate Lunar New Year at The Korea Society’s Annual Membership Party! Enjoy complimentary Korean food and drinks, and participate in silent auctions and raffles for a chance to win unique prizes. Cheers to the Year of the Pig… Read More
Book Signing Event: Eunjoo Lee’s Photo ODYSSEY Friday, May 18, 2018 | 6 PM
In celebration of EunJoo Lee’s 40-year career as a photographer, the Society invites members to enjoy photos and personal stories from her book, Eunjoo Lee’s Photo ODYSSEY, featuring Korea’s leading artists and cultural figures, including world renowned virtuosos…. Read More
Annual Membership Party 2018: Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea Thursday, February 8, 2018 | 6:30 PM
Celebrate Lunar New Year at The Korea Society’s Annual Membership Party. Enjoy Korean food and toast with beer, makgeolli (courtesy of NY Saeng Mak), and soju (courtesy of West 32 Soju). Participate in silent auctions and raffles for a chance to win unique prizes. Cheers to the Year of the Dog… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea 2017 Thursday, January 26, 2017 | 6:30 PM
Toast to good fortune in the Year of the Fire Rooster and enjoy Korean-themed drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and live music with friends, members, and supporters of The Korea Society… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea 2016 Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 6 PM
Ring in the Year of the Red Monkey! Enjoy Korean-themed drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment with friends, members, and supporters of The Korea Society… Read More
Private Tour of Korea: 100 Years of Collecting at the MET @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art Friday, June 5, 2015 | 4 PM
In celebration of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s hundredth-anniversary of the establishment of its Department of Asian Art, the museum is showcasing its unparalleled collection of Asian art—the most comprehensive in the West with more than 35,000 objects… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea 2015 Thursday, February 12, 2015 | 5:30 PM & 7 PM
Spread a little New Year’s Cheer and Toast to good fortune in the Year of the Ram with friends, members, and supporters of The Korea Society… Read More
The Beauty of Korean Arts and Crafts Tuesday, December 2, 2014 | 6:30 PM
Celebrate Korea’s handicrafts and artistic traditions with adoptive parents Debbi Kent and Joan Suwalsky in a talk about their new book, 100 Thimbles in a Box: The Spirit and Beauty of Korean Handicrafts. The authors will share their experiences in researching and writing this beautiful book of nearly 500 photographs illustrating 44 traditional arts… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea 2014 Thursday, January 30, 2014 | 6 PM
Ring in the Year of the Horse, Gangnam-style! Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment with friends, members, and supporters of The Korea Society… Read More
Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom Private Tour @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art Friday, November 15, 2013 | 4 PM
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom is the first exhibit in the West to focus exclusively on the art of Silla—and we have special-access tickets for Korea Society members. Soyoung Lee, the exhibition’s co-organizer and the MET’s associate curator of the Department of Asian Art… Read More
August 2013 Membership Promotion Wednesday, August 28, 2013 | 4 PM
Become a member and get to know Korea! Attend interesting talks on security and economic issues, explore Korean cuisine, and join a book discussion group or Korean pillow workshop this fall at The Korea Society… Read More
Foul King Tuesday, August 13 | 6:30 PM
The top Korean domestic film of 2000, Foul King is one of the earliest films of Kim Ji-woon, who most recently directed Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Last Stand. Starring Song Kang-Ho as an unproductive bank clerk suffering through the grind of his miserable 9 to 5 existence… Read More
K-Night @ TKS: It’s All About King Sejong Tuesday, April 30 | 6 PM
Everyone’s invited to attend our open house where Korea comes to life as we explore a different theme each K-Night! On Tuesday, April 30 join a night of fun and culture that’s all about King Sejong and experience what The Korea Society has to offer… Read More
Members’ Free Film Night: The Classic Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | 6:30 PM
The Classic, as delicate as it is unabashedly romantic, is a sentimental and refreshingly sincere valentine to the traditional Korean melodramas of old (famously satirized in director Kwak Jae-yong’s previous film, My Sassy Girl). It was a 2003 box-office blockbuster in Korea and all over Asia. Kwak has also made a film that, on a deeper level… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea 2013 Thursday, January 31, 2013 | 6 PM
Meet and mingle with others with a shared interest in Korea, and stay for makgeolli, mandu, and much, much, more… Read More
Members’ Free Film Night: Epitaph Thursday, October 25, 2012 | 6:30 PM
If you haven’t seen K-Horror, then you don’t know what scary is! To set the mood for Halloween, we will be screening Epitaph, a Korean horror film famous for its intricate plot and visually stunning cinematography… Read More
One Reception: Two Openings Wednesday, September 19, 2012 | 6 PM
We invite you to a reception celebrating two very special openings: Traces of Life: Seen Through Korean Eyes 1945 – 1992, a photography exhibit featuring thirteen of Korea’s pioneering photographers and Yeonghwa: Korean Film Today, a film series at MoMA showcasing the work of eleven of Korea’s best known contemporary filmmakers… Read More
Members Free Film Night: The Host Thursday, August 9, 2012 | 6:30 PM
The Korea Society’s director of film, has chosen The Host (2006) to screen at summer Members’ Free Film Night. This family comedy/monster flick from acclaimed director Bong Joon-Ho is Korea’s highest… Read More
A Morning with AMOREPACIFIC, Skincare from Korea @ AMOREPACIFIC Counter at Neiman Marcus Wednesday, May 16, 2012 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
The Korea Society and AMOREPACIFIC invite members—current and new—to a morning of beauty at the AMOREPACIFIC Counter at Neiman Marcus in The Mall at Short Hills, New Jersey. Join fellow members for an intimate reception with AMOREPACIFIC’s signature green tea… Read More
Members’ Free Film Night: My Way Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 6:30 PM
For our first Members’ Free Film Night, The Korea Society and CJ Entertainment are pleased to invite our members to an Exclusive Advanced Screening of My Way. Directed by Kang Je-Kyu, and starring Jang Dong-gun, Joe Odagiri, and Fan Bingbing, the film tells the story of two bitter marathon-running rivals, Korean native Kim Jun-shik and Japanese aristocrat Tatsuo Hasegawa… Read More
Celebrate the New Year, Celebrate Korea Thursday, February 23, 2012 | 6 – 8 PM
Ambassadors Thomas Hubbard and Mark Minton, the Board of Directors, and staff of The Korea Society Invite you to Celebrate the New Year at our Annual Membership Appreciation Party… Read More
Lie Sang Bong: Fashion, Art and Korean Culture @ The Theater at MAD Thursday, February 9, 2012 | 7 PM
Meet acclaimed Korean designer Lie Sang Bong, whose worldwide clientele for avant-garde clothing includes celebrities like Lady Gaga and Beyonce. He will discuss a career that spans more than two decades, in which he has combined a keen fashion sense, an artist’s vision, and inspiration from his Korean roots. Using a multi-media presentation… Read More
Asian Beauty Secrets: Ancient and Modern Tips from Japan, Korea and China Thursday, January 19, 2012 | 6:30 PM
Dr. Marie Jhin, author of Asian Beauty Secrets: Ancient and Modern Tips from Japan, Korea and China discusses the history of beauty in the Far East and shares centuries-old customs and timely tips and treatments for health and beauty. Join us afterwards for refreshments and book signing – and take home a gift bag… Read More
Poetry in Clay: Korean Buncheong Ceramics from Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art Friday, June 3, 2011 | 4 PM
The Korea Society is pleased to announce a rare opportunity for a guided tour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s special exhibit, Poetry in Clay: Korean Buncheong Ceramics from Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art. Soyoung Lee, the exhibition’s curator and the MET’s associate curator of the Department of Asian Art will be our guide… Read More
The Korea Society and Sulwhasoo invite members—current and new—to a private reception at the newly launched Sulwhasoo Skincare Boutique at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Join fellow members for an evening of beauty… Read More
Hooni Kim elevated Korean cuisine in New York City when he opened his restaurant Danji in December of 2010, and promptly received a Michelin star in 2011 for his inspired traditional, as well as modern, Korean food. Danji was conceived as a Korean tapas bar and The New York Times described his small plates as “magical,” “luscious,” and “pretty great” while praising him as a “terrific cook.” Hear how Hooni discovered cooking and went on to champion Korean food. He’ll take you inside the New York restaurant world and tell you what’s next, as he prepares, later this year, to open a second restaurant; this time his take on a joomak, a traditional tavern where the food is matched to various drinks. Interviewed by Jason Cho, food blogger at The Insatiable Palate.
Conclude the evening with a Sujeonggwa, an autumnal cocktail just added to the Danji menu, and a dduk dessert, Creme Chap by Besfren while you enjoy the company of fellow food lovers. A not-to-be-missed event for NY foodies!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 | 6:30 PM
Young Professionals’ Night An Evening with Hooni Kim, Chef-Owner of Danji
The Korea Society’s 22nd Annual Golf Tournament was held on Monday, October 1 at Montammy Golf Club in New Jersey, a prestigious private country club with a challenging and well-maintained 18 hole championship course. Proceeds from this event go to supporting our corporate programs, cultural events, and educational activities.
Jerry Bellis, President of Titleist Golf Balls, explains how South Korea has evolved into the 3rd largest market for golf in the world.
Celebrating 60 years of partnership and prosperity between the United States and the Republic of Korea, The Korea Society hosted its annual dinner in New York City on September 25. We were most pleased to have Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, in New York for the 68th United Nations General Assembly, as our keynote speaker. The other highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Van Fleet Award to Ambassadors Ahn Ho-young and Sung Kim, who accepted this award for all U.S. and Korean diplomats who have strengthened the 60-year alliance. Their remarks eloquently underscored the importance and potential of this most important bilateral relationship.
Korean and U.S. diplomats who have strengthened the 60-year Alliance 1953-2013
The Plaza Fifth Avenue at Central Park South New York City
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Reception • 6:00 PM Dinner • 7:00 PM
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black tie/traditional attire
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Keynote Speaker His Excellency Yun Byung-se Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Korea
Yun Byung-se assumed his current position as Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Korea in March, 2013, after serving as a member of President Park Geun-hye’s Presidential Transition Committee, and following a more-than-thirty-year diplomatic career. Minister Yun entered the Foreign Ministry in 1977 and his postings have included Minister, Korean Embassy in the US; Minister, Korean Permanent Mission to the UN Secretariat and International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland; Minister-Counsellor, Korean Embassy in the Republic of Singapore; and Consul, Korean Consulate General in Sydney, Australia. He has also served as Senior Coordinator at the National Security Council, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Senior Presidential Secretary for Foreign, Security and Unification Policy.
After leaving government in 2009, Minister Yun became a senior advisor at the law firm of Kim & Chang, as well as a visiting professor at the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) at Sogang University.
Minister Yun graduated from Seoul National University’s College of Law in 1976 and the Graduate School of Law in 1978. He earned a Master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in 1983. He was awarded the Service Merit Medal in 1992 for his significant contributions to the country’s welfare and the Order of Service Merit (Yellow Stripes) in 2005 for his long-standing service to the government.
Special Acknowledgement Additional support provided by Stewart Kim, PGP Capital Advisors, LLC; MCM; Alexandra Munroe, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Sulwhasoo.
Dinner Committee
Benefactor at $50,000 • Priority seating for 20 guests • Private reception tickets for 10 guests • Podium recognition • Full-page corporate profile with photo and bio in the dinner program book • Acknowledgement on the Web site and in other print publications
Patron at $30,000 • Choice seating for 10 guests • Private reception tickets for 6 guests • Podium recognition • Half-page corporate profile with photo and bio in the dinner program book • Acknowledgement on the Web site and in other print publications
Sponsor at $17,000 • Seating for 10 guests • Private reception tickets for 2 guests • Quarter-page corporate profile with photo in the dinner program book • Acknowledgement on the Web site and in other print publications
Table Sponsors
Donor at $12,000 • Seating for 10 guests • Acknowledgement in the dinner program book, on the Web site, and in other print publications
Contributor at $7,000 • Seating for 5 guests (half-table) • Acknowledgement in the dinner program book, on the Web site, and in other print publications
Patron ($3,000) / Patron Couple (2 tickets, $5,000) One ticket for the general reception and dinner, choice seating, and acknowledgment in the dinner program book and other publications
Contributor ($700) One ticket for the general reception and dinner
Associate ($500) One ticket for the general reception and dinner
This rate is available only for attendees from governmental, nonprofit, and academic institutions, and young professionals without corporate sponsorship. (Please confirm your eligibility with Jiyoung Suh.)
Dinner Committee confirmation must be received by August 28, 2013. Table sponsorship and Patron ticket registration must be confirmed by September 10, 2013 to be included in the dinner program.
The Korea Society is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit qualifying tax-exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $450.
To register, please complete and return this registration form or contact Michael Kang or Jiyoung Suh at (212) 759 7525 ext. 311.
Benefactor
Hollis W. Hart Head of International Franchise Management Citi
John Krafcik President and Chief Executive Officer Hyundai Motor America
Wayne Park President and CEO LG Electronics U.S.A.
Patron
Maurice R. Greenberg Chairman and CEO C.V. Starr & Co., Inc
Stanley C. Gale Chairman and CEO Gale International
Jin-soo Huh CEO GS Caltex Corporation
Young-mok Kim President The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
Richard G. Kirkland Vice President, Corporate International Business Development Lockheed Martin Corporation
Susan Greenwell Vice President and Head, International Government Relations MetLife
Tony Dorazio President OCI Solar Power
Sponsor
Hae-Young Kim Partner Ernst & Young
Jai-Seong Lee President and CEO Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
Rose Jang Pop Opera Soprano
Rose Jang is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning, pop opera vocalist with many record-breaking number one hits. She has sold out some of the greatest concert halls in the world, including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. She currently serves as Ambassador for “Jeju. The New Seven Wonder of Nature,” and has served as Ambassador for many other organizations, including UNESCO and the Korea Tourism Office. Rose performs regularly in Seoul, New York City, and London. She recently performed the British National Anthem at the Royal Horse of the Year Show and was televised on Sky TV. She was also featured in the September issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine as one the “Power Women of New York.” She has five albums under her belt, and is working on her sixth album in London, England where she currently resides.
Rose was born in Princeton, NJ and, at the young age of four, began playing the piano, and training in voice and violin. She performed the violin as part of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and later at the age of 17 made her debut at Carnegie Hall. She is a graduate of Smith College and is Korean-American.
We invite you to a reception celebrating two very special openings: Traces of Life: Seen Through Korean Eyes 1945 – 1992, a photography exhibit featuring thirteen of Korea’s pioneering photographers and Yeonghwa: Korean Film Today, a film series at MoMA showcasing the work of eleven of Korea’s best known contemporary filmmakers. The evening will feature special remarks by Directors Hong Sang-soo (In Another Country), Lee Sang-cheol (Jesus Hospital), and exhibit curator, Chang Jae Lee. Please join us for an evening of art and refreshments!
Opening Reception
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 6 PM-8 PM
Traces of Life: Seen Through Korean Eyes 1945 – 1992 Experience the captivating imagery in this collection of fifty-four photographs by the first generation of Korean realists. This exhibition marks the first time these original black and white photographs have been mounted in the U.S. and reveals the everyday life of Korea’s nearly forgotten recent past. These photographs are documentary but at the same time aesthetically charged, illustrating and illuminating the traces and trails of Korean life as seen through Korean eyes.
Yeonghwa: Korean Film Today This third edition of Yeonghwa, presented in collaboration with MoMA, includes 11 distinctive contemporary narratives, from superior genre films to unclassifiable features by some of Korea’s leading renegade filmmakers. For a complete list of the schedule and films being shown at MoMA, please click here.
The Korea Society’s director of film, has chosen The Host (2006) to screen at summer Members’ Free Film Night. This family comedy/monster flick from acclaimed director Bong Joon-Ho is Korea’s highest grossing movie of all time and has won numerous awards, including Best Film at the Asian Film Awards. The Host has been described as a “mutant hybrid spawned from the improbable union of Little Miss Sunshine and Godzilla, for the film is a family comedy and political satire in which an unnaturally evolved tadpole just happens to loom (very) large.” Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote “The Host is a loopy, feverishly imaginative genre hybrid about the demons that haunt us from without and within.” Quentin Tarantino included it in his list of top 20 films released since 1992 (the year he became a director).
The Korea Society held its 23rd Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, July 15, celebrating “60 Years of Partnership and Shared Prosperity” between the U.S. and Korea. We returned to Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey where, under a very hot sun, everyone enjoyed a challenging round of golf while supporting The Korea Society and its programs and educational activities!
Monday, July 15, 2013
10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Platinum Sponsor
Tournament Chair
Gene Yoon Chairman Fila Global & Acushnet Company
Tournament Sponsors
Sung Guk Doo General Manager, New York Office Asiana Airlines
Stanley C. Gale Chairman and CEO Gale International
Chul Jin Jung General Manager, NJ Office Hyundai Heavy Industries
Song K. Jung Partner McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Ted Kang Managing Partner Kylin Management LLC
Yangkyu Kim President & CEO Samsung Electronics North America, Inc.
Wayne Park President & CEO LG Electronics USA
Jong Woo Seo Regional Manager Korean Air New York
Tournament Committee
Larry Barkley Senior VP, Retail Tourneau
Yong-Heung Cho President & CEO Woori America Bank
Huhnsik Chung Partner-in-Charge, New York Office Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
David Khym Chairman & CEO Southpole
Kiky Kim President Kiky Jewelers
Kyu S. Kim Senior Executive Vice President & CCBO BBCN Bank
Young Kil Kim Chairman Bethel Industries Inc.
Gus Lee Principal KPMG LLP
John Limb Principal O Brands LLC
Chong-Yun Park Partner KPMG LLP
Ken Park CEO & President Shine Electronics Co., Inc.
*Please RSVP with payment information via fax, email or phone no later than Friday, July 5, 2013 to Michael Kang The Korea Society 950 Third Ave, 8th Floor New York, NY 10022 Tel: 212-759-7525 ext. 311 Fax: 212-759-7530
Program
2013 Annual Golf Tournament Supporters
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Golf Cart Sponsor
Tee Box Sponsors
In-Kind Donors
Sponsors
Auction Items
Business Class Round-Trip Ticket from New York to Seoul
“Silk may survive five hundred years, but paper will withstand a thousand”—Korean adage
Join us at the ArtGate Gallery on Thursday, June 28th for an evening with Seung Chul Lee, a renowned scholar of Hanji, traditional Korean handmade paper, and Bojagi, Korean wrapping fabric, as we celebrate his new solo exhibition Adhesion Paradox and the recent publication of his book Hanji:Everything You Need to Know About Traditional Korean Paper. Experience traditional Korean art in a thoroughly contemporary light through his exhibition, featuring two large-scale interactive multimedia installations—a square house illustrating the story of Korea and hanging columns of musical sounds. Lee will also treat us to a demonstration of the process of natural paper dyeing and introduce the exhibit and new book. Don’t miss this wonderful midsummer evening of art, friends, and refreshing cocktails on the gallery patio.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Young Professionals’ Night A Midsummer Evening at ArtGate Gallery
ROBERT H. BENMOSCHE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC
Robert H. Benmosche joined American International Group, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2009, when he was also elected to the AIG Board of Directors. Mr. Benmosche retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. in 2006 after an eleven-year career during which he led the transition of MetLife from a mutual to a public company in April 2000. Since then, MetLife has risen to be the largest life insurer in North America. During Mr. Benmosche’s tenure, MetLife acquired General American and Traveler’s Life and Annuity. He joined MetLife as an Executive Vice President in 1995 to direct the merger of New England Mutual with MetLife, and to head MetLife’s Individual Sales force and Retail Product Development. Mr. Benmosche was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1997 until he was named Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer in 1998.
Before joining MetLife, Mr. Benmosche spent more than 13 years at PaineWebber Group Incorporated, where he served in several capacities. These included Senior Vice President of Marketing, CFO of the Retail Brokerage Division, and as Executive Vice President from 1989-1995, serving as the head of Operations and Technology and Director and Sales Manager for over 1,500 retail investment advisors. He also directed the merger of Kidder Peabody into PaineWebber in 1994. Earlier in his career, Mr. Benmosche was a Chase Manhattan Bank Vice President and a staff consultant with Arthur D. Little.
Mr. Benmosche received his bachelor’s degree from Alfred University and served in Korea as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group AG. He has also served on the Boards of Directors of the New York Philharmonic and Alfred University. He is a native of Brooklyn, New York.
2012 Van Fleet Award Honoree
HAN DUCK-SOO CHAIRMAN AND CEO KOREA INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION
FORMER PRIME MINISTER AND FORMER AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Han Duck-soo is Chairman and CEO of Korea International Trade Association, Korea’s largest trade organization with over 70,000 member companies.
Prior to his current role, Chairman Han was appointed by President Lee Myung-bak as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America in January 2009. He presented his Letter of Credence to President Barack Obama in May 2009. From 2007 to 2008, Chairman Han served as the 38th Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea after his nomination was approved by the National Assembly.
Chairman Han has held numerous high-ranking positions in the Korean government. In 2006, he was named Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Facilitating KORUS FTA, following his service as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy. Before being named Minister of Government Policy Coordination in 2004, he worked as President of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.
As Korea’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Chairman Han went to Paris in 2001 before returning to Seoul later that year to serve at the Blue House, first as Senior Secretary to the President for Policy and Planning and later as Senior Secretary to the President for Economic Affairs.
During his distinguished career in government, Chairman Han has made many contributions to the development and modernization of the Korean economy. Deregulation, market opening, and strengthening of the market economy have been the three pillars of his philosophy and framework for the economic policy of Korea.
Chairman Han earned a B.A. in economics from Seoul National University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He has been awarded two Order of Public Service and Merit Medals. Chairman Han is married to Choi Ah Young.
2012 Culture Award Honoree
LEE SOO MAN FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN & PRODUCER S.M. ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
Soo Man Lee is the founder and Chairman of SM Entertainment, the largest entertainment company and record label in Korea. He is one of the most renowned Asian producers, coined the term “Korean Wave,” and produces such Asian stars as H.O.T, S.E.S., SHINHWA, Fly To The Sky, BoA, TVXQI, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee and f(x).
After emerging as a top singer, MC, and DJ in Korea, SM Lee travelled to the U.S. to study in 1981 where he witnessed the birth of MTV. Certain that a global music market would develop, he returned to Korea in 1985 to start his own entertainment business with the goal of showcasing Korean culture to the world by developing new global artists.
Soo Man Lee established SM Entertainment in 1989, and introduced a structured system for the first time in the entertainment industry’s history. He developed market-leading content by analyzing music, fashion, and cultural trends while also establishing a unique casting, training, and production system. SM Lee revolutionized the entertainment industry with his “Culture Technology” strategy and was instrumental in growing K-Pop into a global phenomena.
In 2010, SMTOWN LIVE 2010 World Tour in LA played to a sold out LA Staples Center and was ranked on Billboard’s Top 10 performance entertainment chart. In June 2011, SM Entertainment sold out tickets for SMTOWN LIVE World Tour in Paris and, when unhappy fans who could not obtain tickets formed a flash mob in front of the Louvre Museum, SM Entertainment held an additional sold-out concert the next day. Last October, SM Entertainment held SMTOWN LIVE World Tour in NY, Madison Square Garden’s first concert featuring Asian artists. Flash mobs have also emerged in other countries in Europe, Latin America, and the US requesting SMTOWN concerts in their areas, which demonstrates just how popular the SM Entertainment brand is globally.
As a music-industry pioneer and with a reputation as the top Korean Wave strategist, MBA students from Harvard Business School, Johnson Business School at Cornell University, and MIT Sloan School of Management have visited SM Entertainment in order to learn the global Korean Wave business strategy from Soo Man Lee.
Soo Man Lee graduated from Seoul National University in Korea and obtained his Master’s Degree in computer engineering from California State University, Northridge.
Hooni Kim elevated Korean cuisine in New York City when he opened his restaurant Danji in December of 2010, and promptly received a Michelin star in 2011 for his inspired traditional, as well as modern, Korean food. Danji was conceived as a Korean tapas bar and The New York Times described his small plates as “magical,” “luscious,” and “pretty great” while praising him as a “terrific cook.” Hear how Hooni discovered cooking and went on to champion Korean food. He’ll take you inside the New York restaurant world and tell you what’s next, as he prepares, later this year, to open a second restaurant; this time his take on a joomak, a traditional tavern where the food is matched to various drinks. Interviewed by Jason Cho, food blogger at The Insatiable Palate.
Keynote Speaker
Rose Jang
