By Eun Byoul Oh

I sincerely hope that 2026 will bring the world tranquility and peace. I personally need a really good Korean drama, and I am crossing fingers for my students for their idol comebacks and tours! We have prepared our January edition to be a celebration of Korean-American history and culture 🇰🇷🇺🇸

By Jean Vavra
I am a first-generation Korean American, raised between two worlds that didn’t always know how to speak to each other—but somehow taught me how to listen.

By Jon Oaks
Korean-American Day, observed each year on January 13, is often framed as a celebration of arrival and contribution. In 2026, it also feels like something else: a moment to claim space. Not quietly. Not defensively. But deliberately.

By Sharon Stern

Dosan Hakang Book Club gathered in December to discuss the novel The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin.

By Josh Kim
This month, our myth incorporates 20th century history, and the use of mythology in government propaganda.

By Sharon Stern
This is the story of the Willows Aviation School and key Korean-Americans that made it possible.  The Willows Aviation School was the first combat training school for Korean pilots and existed during Japanese occupation.

By Sharon Stern
Most of the January dramas look to be on the lighter side, which is appropriate for this dark and chilly month.  It’s a month for hopefully fun fluff or, as one of the KCCNYC team has said, a warm sweater.  Fingers crossed that we have some quality story-telling along with our fluff or that our sweater is not unfuzzy, monotone gray!

By Eun Byoul Oh
As the KCCNYC Monthly Team, we try to bring you the highlights of our activities in the community and to memorialize them and our history through recording them. We believe that the newsletter is not only the history of KCCNYC, but a comprehensive record of Korean culture and history. We also share the stories of our newsletter on our Instagram.

By KCCNYC Team
SAVE THE DATE! Our first ever Gala will be held on Thursday, February 19th at PRIMARY in Lower Manhattan. Early Bird Tickets are now available! Featuring Korean artists, live music, food, drink, auction & DJ dance party - we can’t wait to celebrate Lunar New Year & KCCNYC’s vibrant community together.

By Sharon Stern
The Imjin War of 1592-1598 ended in December of 1598.  This month we look at how important the war was to the modern histories of Korea, Japan and China.

By Casey Eckersley & Sharon Stern
We mark the end of our first year of the Dosan Hakdang Book Club!  Read more about what we got up to in this Year End Recap.

By Hannah Elliott
It was another interesting year for the K-pop world. KPOP DEMON HUNTERS’ Golden took over the airwaves, the Hot 100, (and our hearts???), and we also got some REALLY good tracks from rookie groups. Enjoy KCCNYC’s Best of 2025 K-playlist curated by Hannah Elliott. Every ‘Best Of’ list is always subjective — so tell us, “What was your favorite song of the year?”

By Jon Oaks
As the year winds down, the holiday season brings its familiar mix of comfort, reflection, and complexity. This month also marks the end of a year filled with important adoptee accomplishments, gatherings, and milestones.

By Josh Kim
With December being the end of persimmon drying season, our myth this month is “The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon,” a story of a terrifying tiger who discovers something even scarier than himself. 

By Sharon Stern
New dramas in December and a full look back at all the (K)drama of 2025!