{"id":3233,"date":"2025-03-13T01:22:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T01:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/?page_id=3233"},"modified":"2026-04-06T23:39:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T23:39:57","slug":"korean-media-and-performance-arts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/ksi\/korean-media-and-performance-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Korean Media and Performing Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Korean drama, film, music, and other forms of media have become integral to global popular culture and entertainment. Through a series of curated events, discussions, collaborations, and screenings, KSI brings together artists, scholars, and media professionals to examine the role of Korean media in shaping new forms of artistic expression. Additionally, the Institute also brings theatrical and musical performances to the USC campus, creating a platform for the critical appreciation of Korean arts and culture within academic contexts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In curating these events, our faculty collaborates with professional schools, including the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, the School of Dramatic Arts, the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, the Thornton School of Music, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n EDHI ALICE: Film Screening and Discussion with the PINKS\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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\"\ud83d\udd57\" April 22, 2026, 6:00-9:00 PM<\/p>\n

\"\ud83d\udccd\"\u00a0USC School of Cinemnatic Arts, SCA 110<\/p>\n

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USC’s Korean Studies Institute is hosting a West Coast tour of PINKS (\uc5f0\ubd84\ud64d\uce58\ub9c8) and their new film EDHI ALICE (\uc5d0\ub514 \uc568\ub9ac\uc2a4) in collaboration with the School of Cinematic Arts and the Consortium on Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Public Culture. EDHI ALICE is the latest film directed by Kim Ilrhan (\uae40\uc77c\ub780), an important pioneering filmmaker and founder of PINKS, a queer feminist film and media collective (see this profile<\/a>\u00a0by the International Documentary Association). She has directed films such as\u00a0Mamasang: Remember Me This Way\u00a0<\/em>(2004),\u00a0Two Doors\u00a0<\/em>(2011), and\u00a0Remnants<\/em>\u00a0(2016), all of which have now become classic films on state violence and anti-gentrification activism.<\/p>\n

EDHI ALICE is a ground-breaking film\u00a0consisting of two feature-length documentaries about two transitioning women.\u00a0Following the screening, Ray Kyooyung Ra (SCA) and Caitlyn Chung (EALC) will moderate a discussion with Director Kim Ilrhan, Producer Sona Jo, Assistant Director and Producer Kwon Ohyeon, as well as the two main cast members, Edhi and Alice, and PINKS’ mamber Yeong Ran Kim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n

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\n “K-Pops!” film screening & A Conversation with Anderson .Paak and Khaila Amazan\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Screening on Tuesday, March 3, 2026\/ 6:30-8:30 p.m. (March 5th for the Conversation with Anderson .Paak and Khaila Amazan)<\/strong><\/p>\n

AMC Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90067<\/strong><\/p>\n

USC Annenberg and the USC Korean Studies Institute, with the generous support of the Korea Foundation, invite you to a special screening of \u2018K-Pops!\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018K-Pops!\u2019 is a family comedy that centers on a struggling Los Angeles musician who moves to South Korea in hopes of revising his career by joining a K-pop band and competing in a television music competition, only to discover that his long-lost son is on the verge of becoming a K-pop superstar. Rather than using his connection to his son as another opportunity for fame, he ultimately chooses to embrace his role as a father as they grow closer together.<\/p>\n

Starring Anderson .Paak, Jee Young Han, Jonnie \u201cDumbfoundead\u201d Park, Soul Rasheed, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Kevin Woo, the film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.<\/p>\n

This screening serves as a tie-in event to “A Conversation with Anderson .Paak and Khalia Amazan on K-Pops!” on March 5th. See the event announcement and the RSVP link here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Important Note:\u00a0<\/strong>The screening is open to USC students only. Check-in will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, and only students who have RSVP\u2019d will be eligible for admission. Student IDs will be checked at the theater during check-in. Due to high demand, please be aware that a RSVP does not guarantee admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n

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\n Past Events\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Ruin-Listening and the Sonic Afterlives of the Korean DMZ\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Dr. Jeong-In Lee, Postdoctoral Fellow with the USC Society of Fellows in the Humanities, gave a talk about the affective landscapes of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, archival research, and engagements with artistic and sonic practices across material, digital, and affective sites connected to the DMZ, she discussed about the DMZ as a complex sonic terrain composed of audible sounds such as propaganda broadcasts, tourist itineraries, and the acoustic rhythms of border life, as well as spectral echoes and silences that reverberate across militarized space. The talk highlighted the Zone as a living archive where sound becomes a relational medium through which the boundaries of nation, history, and affect are continuously reconstituted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\ud83d\udd57\" November 12. 2025, 10:00-11:30 am<\/p>\n

\"\ud83d\udccd\" Ahn House<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Wylde Pak Screening and Conversation<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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\"\ud83d\udd57\" Tuesday, October 7, 2025. 5:00-6:30 pm<\/p>\n

\"\ud83d\udccd\"School of Cinematic Arts, SCA 112. Albert & Dana Broccoli Theater<\/p>\n

KSI hosted the screening and the creative team of\u00a0Wylde Pak, <\/em>Nickelodeon\u2019s 2D-animated series about a blended, multigenerational Korean American family. Inspired by the real-life experiences of co-creators and executive producers Paul Watling and Kyle Marshall, the 26-episode series follows half-siblings Lily and Jack as they adjust to life under one roof.\u00a0Check out the event highlight video!<\/a><\/p>\n

The event featured a behind-the-scenes conversation with the show\u2019s creative team and cast. Moderated by Professor Esther K. Chae, the discussion explored creative collaboration, cultural authenticity, and representation in children\u2019s animation. Here is the link to the bios of the speakers – Link to the Bios<\/a><\/p>\n

Students, faculty, and community members discovered how Wylde Pak<\/em> brings vibrant and relatable characters to life for audiences everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Billboard Korea Artist Spotlight: A Conversation with Yugyeom\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Friday, March 28 \u00b7 11am – 12pm PDT.\u00a0

Annenberg Auditorium (ASC)<\/p>\n

3502 Watt Way Los Angeles, CA 90089<\/p>\n

Yugyeom is a multi-talented K-pop artist known for his impressive dance skills and songwriting abilities. He debuted as a member of GOT7 under JYP Entertainment in 2014, quickly gaining recognition as the group\u2019s main dancer with his charismatic stage presence. In 2021, after GOT7\u2019s contract with JYP Entertainment ended, Yugyeom signed with AOMG, a label known for hip-hop and R&B. Since then, he has continued to grow as an artist, showcasing a more mature and creative side through his solo work, while writing and composing songs that reflect his unique musical style.<\/p>\n

In this exclusive artist talk, Yugyeom shared insights into his journey as a K-pop artist and discuss the creative process behind his music and choreography, the challenges of transitioning from the \u201cmaknae (the youngest member)\u201d of a group to establishing himself as a solo performer, and the changes he\u2019s witnessed in the K-pop industry throughout his decade-long career.<\/p>\n

Watch Yugyeom at USC<\/a> on YouTube.<\/p>\n

Photo by Aaron Ogawa https:\/\/www.uscannenbergmedia.com\/2025\/04\/07\/k-pop-artist-yugyeom-speaks-with-usc-students\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Behind the Scenes of K-pop\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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\"\ud83d\udd57\"\u00a0Friday, October 18<\/p>\n

\"\ud83d\udccd\"\u00a0Annenberg Auditorium (G26)<\/p>\n

Renowned for their remarkably active, passionate, and omnipresent fanbase, K-pop artists enjoy unparalleled exposure and engagement on the global stage. From sold-out world tours to staggering album sales, K-pop is making its mark.<\/p>\n

Behind the Scenes of K-pop<\/b>\u00a0is an exciting, all-day symposium featuring insiders and experts who will foster conversations about the art, culture, business, and future of the international music sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n

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\n Frida: The Last Night Show\n <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Produced by Korea\u2019s leading\u00a0musical theatre company\u00a0EMK<\/a><\/b>,\u00a0Frida<\/span>: The Last Night Show<\/a><\/i><\/b>\u00a0is an virtuosic homage to Mexican artist\u00a0Frida<\/span>\u00a0Kahlo\u2019s life and work. Marking the 70th anniversary of Kahlo\u2019s death In a concert format featuring four female actors, the show\u2019s first U.S. showcase stars Korea\u2019s musical theatrical phenom\u00a0Sohyang Sophie Kim<\/a><\/b>\u00a0performing a female-centered, coalitional identity that transcends national borders and delivers a message of hope to the audience.<\/p>\n

After the performance, a panel on transnational creativity and the ethics of cross-cultural representations in musical theatre will feature\u00a0Sohyang Sophie Kim<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Frida<\/span>: The Last Night Show<\/i>\u2019s writer\/director\u00a0Jung Hwa Choo<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and producer\u00a0Sophy Jiwon Kim<\/a><\/b>, along with USC faculty\u00a0including English and American studies and ethnicity professor\u00a0David Rom\u00e1n<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and School of Dramatic Arts professors\u00a0Esther K. Chae<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Luis Alfaro<\/a><\/b>\u00a0<\/b>(moderator). What are the impacts and implications of musicals such as\u00a0Frida<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0Hamilton<\/i>, and\u00a0SIX<\/i>, in which actors perform identities from other cultures? As the entertainment industry becomes increasingly globalized and cultural texts travel beyond national borders, how do local identity politics become legible in different contexts?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Presented by the USC School of Dramatic Arts; the\u00a0Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles<\/a><\/b>;\u00a0and USC Visions and Voices.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n
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\n USC Korean Film Festival Archive, 1996-2018\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n
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The USC Korean Studies Institute has hosted Korean film festivals since 1996. This program was first launched by David E. James of Critical Theory in the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) through his organization of Dir. Im Kwon Taek\u2019s first North American retrospective hosted at USC. Beginning in 2007, then KSI associate director Elaine Kim brought a new momentum to the institute\u2019s film-centered initiatives. With contributions also by EALC faculty Youngmin Choe, and Sunyoung Park, as well as other SCA faculty, including Akira Lippit, KSI hosted annual film festivals through 2018, screening films in 35mm and digital formats, often also inviting film scholars, critics, and experts in Korean entertainment as well as Korean film directors. <\/p>\n

Over the years, organizations that supported the Korean film festival have included the School of Cinematic Arts, the Korea Foundation, the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Korean Film Council, the Academy of Korean Studies, USC East Asian Studies Center, USC Korean Heritage Library, USC Center for International Studies, USC Center for Feminist Studies, and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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