By Eun Byoul Oh

This month in Korean-American community, we are celebrating Young Korean Academy, also known as Hung Sa Dahn (흥사단).  The organization was founded by Ahn Chang Ho, who is known by his pen name Dosan.  The footprints of Dosan and YKA can be found in various parts of Los Angeles. Several places in Los Angeles bear the name of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho’s: Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Interchange, Santa Monica Fwy, Los Angeles; the Ahn Family House; Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial, 3750 Main St, Riverside, CA; and the post office in Koreatown, Los Angeles, was renamed after Dosan. Dosan also helped fund the Willows Korean Aviation School in Willows, California (very small town) that trained the Korean pilots for the resistance, two of whom later went on to be the first Korean pilots in the Republic of Korea Air Force.

To read more about the YKA, Dosan and how he educated young Koreans of the diaspora and organized resistance movements, read our blog post.

By Hannah Elliott

Pansori Pop and Traditional Korean Music

Pansori (판소리), a staple of Korean musical storytelling, is where a singer transforms a tale into an evocative performance. Rich in emotional depth, it marries narrative with powerful vocal prowess and rhythmic drumming. Born in the Joseon Dynasty, Pansori has carried tales of history, folklore, and moral lessons for centuries, becoming a cultural cornerstone in Korea. 

During the Japanese colonial period Pansori faced suppression, as Japan sought to impose its own cultural norms. Yet, this only strengthened Pansori’s role as a beacon of resistance and national identity. Korean musicians and artists covertly nurtured this tradition, defying suppression to keep the spirit of their culture alive. 

With liberation, Pansori not only survived but thrived, evolving into something unexpected and fresh—Pansori Pop. This modern hybrid infuses the ancient with the new, blending traditional vocals and rhythms with contemporary pop elements. Highlights include tracks like "Tiger is Coming" by LEENALCHI, known for their dynamic fusion of Pansori and modern beats, and "Blooming love" by ADG7 [Ak Dan Gwang Chil], which merges folk rhythms with a pop-y twist. 

LISTEN TO THIS MONTH’S PLAYLIST HERE

By Joshua Kim

A Lucky Day (운수 좋은 날) is a short story written by Hyun Jin-geon in 1924. Hyun was a pioneer of realism in Korean literature and frequently wrote about life in Korea during the Japanese occupation. He even was imprisoned while working at a newspaper after erasing the Japanese flag from the uniform of Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-chung, who won gold at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympic Games.

A Lucky Day (which can be read here) is set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and follows a rickshaw puller named Kim, who is struggling to make a living for his sick wife, himself, and his baby. On the day the story takes place, Kim is fortunate enough to have an unusually profitable day, earning more money than he typically would. However, his sense of joy is marred by the knowledge that his wife is gravely ill.

Throughout the day, Kim is torn between the excitement of his unexpected earnings and his concern for his wife. He drinks to drown his worries, convincing himself that the money will help his wife recover. Tragically, when he returns home, he discovers that his wife has passed away while he was out working. 

By Sharon Stern

There is so much happening in Dramaland this month that you might want to consider sleeping as optional.  We are spotlighting dramas that are set during Japanese occupation through liberation this month, honoring National Liberation Day.  There are a number of very good movies set in the same time period that we will list as well.  However, the list of new K-dramas coming out in August is incredible (and long) and we will link to a list of those, simply because of space.  Get out the highly caffeinated beverage of your choice and tuck in for excellent viewing, both new and old.

Just because you don’t subscribe to every streaming service, that does not mean you cannot see a drama or movie you are interested in.  Most of the streaming services offer free trials.  Most can be subscribed to for a single month.  Many offer free content.  We are only listing dramas and movies currently accessible in the US via streaming services.

The period of Japanese occupation was extremely difficult for Korea and Koreans, as you well know.  These dramas and movies deal with some traumatic subjects.  The movies listed deal with difficult subjects more directly and intensely than the dramas do, but the dramas have some very powerful scenes as well.  If you have trigger issues, watch the trailers or look for more information on Wikipedia or elsewhere before going all in.  This history is very important for us to know and not forget.

To see a list of Liberation era dramas and movies, find links to actors and trailers, visit our blog post.

To find a list of dramas that have come out in August, visit the link above or click here

By Sharon Stern

There are a large number of dramas of all types dropping this month.  There are several more that will begin in Korea, but don’t have a streaming connection in the U.S. yet.