By Josh Kim
As we celebrate Pride Month and uplift stories of diverse identities, one unexpected place to find resonance is in the rich world of Korean shamanic mythology.

By Sharon Stern
This month’s dramas trend towards the more somber and darker, but there are a couple of lighter ones as well - let’s dive into all the shows coming to our screens this June!

By Eun Byoul Oh
Last year on May 16th, I landed in Korea.It was my first time back in 12 years, and visiting Gwangju truly changed something inside of me.  I felt empowered realizing how many groups supported each other. In fact, the experience of Gwangju, and participating in Seoul Pride in June of last year, is what lead me to initiate this newsletter.

by Eun Byoul Oh
Bora Chung is an author, translator, and an activist. She is most well known for her book Cursed Bunny, which was nominated for the 2022 International Booker Prize. She will join us on June 5th for an Author Talk on our next Book Club selection - Your Utopia

By Eun Byoul Oh
This month we have our first Book Club meeting on May 18 to discuss Han Kang’s Human Acts, The Wildfire Relief fundraiser successfully wrapped, join us for KCCNYC After Class on May 9th at the Ace Hotel, and Liberty In North Korea (LiNK) invites us to support North Korean refugees at a meetup on May 21.

By Sharon Stern
This month we are focusing on the events before, during and after the Gwangju Uprising.  This is an extremely painful period of history for South Korea and depicting it on the screen is always going to be controversial – let’s look at the films and dramas bringing these stories to global audiences.

By Jon Oaks
Each May, Korea remembers the Gwangju Uprising—a pivotal moment in Korean history when ordinary citizens stood up against military dictatorship to demand democracy, human rights, and dignity. We also look toward the future, with major updates about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) investigation into international adoption and the critical July 1, 2025, deadline for accessing adoption records. Together, these events offer a powerful reminder: our stories matter, and the pursuit of truth is ongoing.

By Sharon Stern & Eun Byoul Oh
This month is the 45^th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, also known as the May 18 Democratization Movement.  The Uprising began as a series of student-led protests against the coup d’etat of civilian President Choi Kyu-Hah by General Chan Doo-Hwan.  We will cover the events before, during and after the Uprising.

By Josh Kim
In the spirit of those who fought injustice, this month’s myth is the story of Hong Gildong (홍길동) – a Robinhood-esque figure who dreamed bigger.

By Sharon Stern
There are some interesting plots with new ideas this month.  A gym drama, a coming-of-age music drama, a food drama (yes, that is a thing), a sageuk mystery-thriller, a crime drama with puzzle piece calling cards, a drama featuring twin roles for Park Bo-Young, a labor attorney who represents ghosts (!) and a drama about a group of former Olympic medalists turned special forces police officers.  Dramaland never disappoints in presenting us with amazing variety.

By Eun Byoul Oh
April is Disability Awareness Month in South Korea, and I write this month’s Editor’s Note with some sort of mission to bring your attention to Korea’s people with disabilities and their persistent fight to create a better world with equality. I hope the KCCNYC community hears their voices and can have insight into Korea with a broader understanding. 투쟁!

Read the verdict that removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from power – translated to English in full.

By Sharon Stern
This month we are focusing on disabilities – Some K-dramas that have introduced characters with disabilities have truly not done a wonderful job.  Some have tried, but fall into stereotypes or portray characters with disabilities that perform beyond the level of the majority of people with the disability or, as previously stated, miraculously find a “cure” for their disability.  Here, we explore a few that have done a better job. 

By Hannah Elliott
Amid political and general fatigue, this playlist leans into quiet resilience. These Korean indie tracks—rooted in ambient folk, lo-fi pop, and experimentation—offer space to reflect, but also to reset. It’s escapism and recovery.

By Eun Byoul Oh
We are bringing the news of the newly launching KCCNYC’s  Book Club “Dosan Hakdang” - join us in reading Han Kang’s HUMAN ACTS before our first meeting on May 18. We have also launched a fundraiser for the Gyeongbuk Wildfire Recovery effort in Korea. All donations will be tax deductible, and the funds raised will be sent to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.