A riveting tale of four women navigating contemporary Korea, If I Had Your Face is a debut novel from Frances Cha, a former travel and culture editor for CNN in Seoul. This utterly compelling novel follows the interconnected lives of four young women balancing on the edge of survival in contemporary Seoul, a world of strict social hierarchies, extreme plastic surgery and K-pop fan mania. Cha will discussed her debut… Read More

South Korean literature in translation has been experiencing a global efflorescence in recent years. There are at least 6 Korean novels being released in the United States in the first half of 2020, with more to follow. Professor Jae Won Chung will discuss the commercial and critical success of Korean novels in the United States, the types of Korean novels that appear to be popular in the international market, and… Read More

Dr. Jung H. Pak discusses her new book on the rise of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, in conversation with Society President Tom Byrne. Pak, a Brookings Institution Senior Fellow and former CIA analyst, provides a behind-the-scenes look at Kim’s character and motivations and chronicles his nuclear ambitions and summitry with President Trump. The book is available for purchase at Penguin Random House. To buy Becoming Kim Jong Un, please… Read More

Hong Gildong, who is sometimes referred to as the Korean Robin Hood, is by far the most famous literary character from classic Korean literature. His story as a maverick outlaw, powerful magician, and a wise king is told in the Joseon dynasty novel The Story of Hong Gildong. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of miscomprehension about the origin and nature of the famous work, the complexity of which… Read More

Korea’s most prized literary masterpiece: a Buddhist journey questioning the illusions of human life—presented in a vivid new translation by PEN/Hemingway finalist Heinz Insu Fenkl Often considered the highest achievement in Korean fiction, The Nine Cloud Dream poses the question: Will the life we dream of truly make us happy? Written in 17th-century Korea, this classic novel’s wondrous story begins when a young monk living on a sacred Lotus Peak… Read More

Begin 2019 with renowned Buddhist teacher and writer Haemin Sunim. Born in Korea and educated in the United States, he has more than a million Twitter and Facebook followers. His books The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down--published in thirty languages--and Love For Imperfect Things have sold more than four million copies. Join Haemin Sunim for an hour of insightful conversation and reflection. Love for Imperfect Things:… Read More

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. O-young Lee, Chairman of The Northern Asia Institute of Comparative Cultural Studies, expressed “the images and stories in this book are refreshing and touching, having passed through the warm filters of Eunjoo… Read More

Against the backdrop of China’s mounting influence and North Korea’s growing nuclear capability and expanding missile arsenal, South Korea faces a set of strategic choices that will shape its economic prospects and national security. In South Korea at the Crossroads, Scott A. Snyder examines the trajectory of fifty years of South Korean foreign policy and offers predictions—and a prescription—for the future. Pairing a historical perspective with a shrewd understanding of… Read More

Best-selling author and former Washington Post Northeast Asia bureau chief Blaine Harden discusses his riveting King of Spies on its date of release. His third work on Korea recounts the untold story of one of the most powerful spies in US history working on the Peninsula during the Korean War. Books are available for purchase and signing. King of Spies with author Blaine Harden with Blaine Harden Join our membership… Read More

Leap from satire to Korean drama and other works by a mid-century master. Delve into a China raw, volatile and often uncontrollable in a novel equal parts muckraking, a transnational love story, and panoramic social critique. Two of America’s premier translators of Korean literature, the Fultons reflect on two recent releases: Sunset, a first ever English-language compilation of the works of the great midcentury writer Ch’ae, known widely for his… Read More