USC Korean Studies Institute

Here is a recap on our symposium on Korean America and the U.S.-Korea Relations. Enjoy!✌️💛

On April 17, we gathered at USC for a full day of conversations exploring the histories, politics, and evolving futures of Korea and America. 🇰🇷🇺🇸

A huge thank you to our incredible speakers, moderators, youth activists who shared their knowledge and experiences, everyone who joined us throughout the day, our sponsors, and collaborators for making this symposium possible! 🤩

On April 22, we had the honor of hosting PINKS (연분홍치마) at USC for a screening and discussion of EDHI ALICE (에디 앨리스) at SCA! The film, directed by Kim Ilrhan, offered a moving look into the lives of two transitioning women.

Hearing directly from Director Kim Ilrhan, Producer Sona Jo, Assistant Director Kwon Ohyeon, cast members Edhi and Alice, and PINKS member Yeong Ran Kim made the night even more special!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our collaborators at the School of Cinematic Arts and the Consortium on Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Public Culture for making this event possible. 🎬✨

Last week’s conversation with David Yi was such a special one!! 💜

We got to dive into Pretty Boys and talk about what it means to navigate identity as a Korean American in the age of K-beauty.

Huge thank you to David and everyone who came!

We had such a great time at our joint book talk on South Korean social activism last week!! Huge thank you to Professors Jennifer Chun and Ju Hui Judy Han for joining us.

The discussion touched on protest, solidarity, q***r activism, and the many ways social movements in South Korea and across the Korean diaspora are connected. It was especially meaningful to hear how both books approached activism not just as resistance, but also as community, and showing up for one another across different struggles.

Thank you to everyone who came out as well as to our co-sponsors for helping bring this conversation together!

And… that’s a wrap on the Undergraduate Research Exchange Conference! 🎓

Over two days this past weekend, undergraduate students from USC, UMichigan, and UPenn shared their thoughtful and innovative research presentations at none other than the AHN house.

A huge thank you to our presenters, attendees, and co-organizing partners for making this event such a success!

We are incredibly excited to host a symposium on Korean America and the U.S.-Korea Relations 🇰🇷🇺🇸

Join us for discussions exploring the historical and contemporary connections between Korea and the United States, with a focus on Korean American experiences and diaspora in Los Angeles.

📅 April 17, 2026 (Fri)
📍 Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Forum Room 450
🎟 RSVP via QR code

Come join us this Friday and Saturday for the Undergraduate Research Exchange Conference!! 📚✨

📅 March 27–28, 2026
📍 Ahn House

Celebrate innovative undergraduate research in Korean Studies and connect with scholars across different institutions.

🏫 Co-organized by USC, UMichigan, and UPenn.

🔗 Learn more: https://dornsife.usc.edu/ksi/ or check out our events calendar in our Linktree!

Our walk on the K-Trail took us on an immersive journey through USC’s Korean heritage and the surrounding spaces that hold its stories. 🇰🇷👣

We explored historic sites, engaged with local institutions, and reflected on the layered histories of Korean diasporic presence in Los Angeles, bringing the past into dialogue with the present.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this walk such a meaningful experience!