U of I's Habib Institute for Asian Studies to present AsiaPOP! The Korean Wave starting Aug. 19

MOSCOW, Idaho — The community is invited to a multiday event at University of Idaho promoting the appreciation and study of the Korean Wave and its influence on Asia and the world. AsiaPOP! events run Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Sept. 13, and include speakers from industry, government and the academy, as well as art and culture exhibits and movie screenings. All events are free and open to the public.

Speakers include:

• Justin Chon, director of the Apple TV series “Pachinko,” writer and director of the films “Blue Bayou” and “Gook” and actor in “The Twilight Saga,” among others.
• God of Universe, a three-piece punk band from Seoul.
• Jungmin Kwon, professor of digital culture and film studies at Portland State University.
• Ji-yoon An, professor of modern Korean popular culture at the University of British Columbia.
• Mijo Park, deputy consul general at the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Seattle.

AsiaPOP! The Korean Wave is sponsored by the U of I Habib Institute for Asian Studies. Co-sponsors are the College of Art and Architecture, the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and the Korea Foundation. Support is provided by the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle and Chonnam National University College of Arts in South Korea.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Sept. 13

• “The Korean Wave: Korean Culture Goes Global” exhibit, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, ISUB Reflections Gallery
• “489 Years,” digital animation by award-winning virtual reality artist Hayoun Kwon, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, ISUB Reflections Gallery
• Chonnam National University art faculty and grad student exhibit, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Ridenbaugh Gallery

Tuesday, Aug. 20

• “Exhuma” (2024): Inland Northwest premiere of the Korean-horror blockbuster, introduction by Russell Meeuf, professor of film and television, 7 p.m., Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St.

Thursday, Aug. 22

• Gallery exhibits opening reception, 4-6 p.m., Reflections and Ridenbaugh galleries (refreshments served)

Tuesday, Aug. 27

• “Decision to Leave” (2022): Renowned director Park Chan-wook’s latest neo-noir mystery, 7 p.m., Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St.

Tuesday, Sept. 3

• “BLACKPINK: World Tour Born Pink in Cinemas” (2024): Inland Northwest premiere of a new K-pop concert film, introduction by Yasheng She, postdoctoral fellow of East Asian cinema and media, 7 p.m., Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St.

Thursday, Sept. 5

• Asian Studies Library open house, featuring Korean snacks, games, manhwa (comics) and K-pop, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Administration Building 204

Tuesday, Sept. 10

• Introducing K-punk at the Kenworthy, featuring the documentary “Us and Them: Korean Indie Rock in a K-Pop World” and God of Universe (punk band from Seoul), 7 p.m., Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St.

Wednesday, Sept. 11

• Mijo Park (deputy consul general at the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Seattle), “U.S.-Korea Economic Relations,” 10:30 a.m., Administration Building 204
• Q&A on Seoul music scene with God of Universe, 12:30 p.m., Haddock Performance Hall, Lionel Hampton School of Music
• Jungmin Kwon (Portland State University), “K(Q)ueer-pop: Queer (In)Visibility in Korean Popular Culture,” with moderator Alex Ruble (Department of History), 2:30 p.m., ISUB Clearwater Room

Thursday, Sept. 12

• Ji-yoon An (University of British Columbia), “The Evolution of K-Drama Romances,” with moderator Tara MacDonald (Department of English), 2 p.m., ISUB Clearwater Room
• Justin Chon (writer, director, actor), “Exploring Honesty in Representation,” with moderator Jeff Kyong-McClain (Habib Institute for Asian Studies and Department of History), 4 p.m. ISUB Summit Room

MEDIA NOTES: Professor Jeff Kyong-McClain, director of the Habib Institute, is available to speak to reporters, as is Jill Kyong, gallery curator. All sessions are open to reporters. Speakers may be available for interview upon request. Email jeffkm@uidaho.edu to inquire.

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Media contact

Jeff Kyong-McClain
Director of the Habib Institute for Asian Studies
University of Idaho
jeffkm@uidaho.edu