What are Major League Baseball contract negotiations like from the inside? How do you market a popular Korean confectionery, the Choco Pie, to Americans? What are ace pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin and manager Don Mattingly like in person? Martin Kim has the answers!
Martin has spent his professional career in marketing and international business, promoting Korean brands in the US. He has worked for the US Department of Commerce and CJ Entertainment, and landed his dream job working for the Los Angeles Dodgers as manager of “Korean Affairs and Corporate Partnerships.” He negotiated partnerships with Korean corporations like Hite Brewery Company and Orion Confectionery to bring Hite beer and Choco Pies to Dodger Stadium—and he brought Psy to the stadium to dance “Gangnam Style” when he had only 40 million views. Martin was also instrumental in bringing Ryu to the Dodgers and serves as his interpreter and guide to living in the U.S.
Martin will discuss the promotion of Korean brands in the US, the establishment of international partnerships, and what it takes to be successful in the sports and entertainment industry. He’ll also provide an insider’s look at major league baseball and tell us what it’s like to shadow Ryu. Kevin Kim, co-host of the popular T.V. talk show, The Portfolio, joins us as the moderator for the evening. Following the discussion, stay for franks, choco pies, and Korean beer. Our season is not over!
Monday, November 18, 2013 | 6:30 PM
Young Professionals (YPNs): FREE
Members: $10
Non-members: $20
New YPNs + program: $70
An Evening with Martin E. Kim is generously sponsored by Hite Brewery Company and Orion Confectionery.
Young Professionals’ programs are generously sponsored by SK.
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.
Benson Lee is an award winning filmmaker who has worked in both documentary and feature film. Mr. Lee was the first Korean American to be accepted to the Sundance Film Festival where his feature, Miss Monday, won the Special Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor. In 2007, he directed Planet B-Boy a documentary that the New York Times described as “fun, sometimes thrilling and packed with illuminating details and striking personalities”. Most recently, Mr Lee directed a 3D remake of Planet B-Boy titled Battle of the Year: The Dream Team.
Did you ever dream of quitting your job and traveling the world? Well, the Bibimbap Backpackers did just that. Come meet these five travellers who journeyed to 4 continents, 15 countries, and 22 cities in over 8 months in pursuit of their goal of introducing Korean food by serving “100 tables” of bibimbap. New York is the backpackers’ final destination and they will visit The Korea Society to share their experiences and celebrate the conclusion of their crazy adventure.
Performance artist and director Maria Yoon discusses the marital expectations of many first- and second- generation Korean-American women when choosing between family and the heart. Her documentary, Maria the Korean Bride, challenges those expectations as Maria documents her cross-country journey as an imagined bride in traditional dress. The project highlights Maria’s marriage “proposals,” interviews with participants, and mock wedding performances. Join us for an evening of conversation with Maria, as she previews her documentary and shares her emotions and the experience of her final “50-state marriage” in New York’s Times Square.