ACF 202: Another Episode of KBS TV's "Hwang Jin Yi" @ The Korea Society

The Korea Society's Monthly Screening Series of select episode of KBS TV's lavish and epic blockbluster drama Hwang Jin Yi will continue on Wednesday, January 14, 2008. Here's what you need to know.

In an age when women were treated as if they were invisible, Hwang Jin Yi, the celebrated Korean courtesan-singer-poet of the 16th century, was larger than life. Her beauty, wit and intellect propelled her from obscurity into the company of Korea’s most powerful aristocrats. The defining romance of her life broke across Korea’s rigid class lines and was in turn shattered by tragedy. A symbol of art and individuality, the subject of countless novels, movies and operas, Hwang Jin Yi remains a powerful feminist figure in Korea to this day.

Directed by Kim Cheol-gyu (More Beautiful Than Flowers) and written by Yoon Sun-Ju (The Immortal Lee Soon Shin), the acclaimed KBS TV drama series Hwang Jin Yi retells the tumultuous life story of Korea’s most famous kisaeng (courtesan). Top actress Ha Ji-won’s portrayal of Hwang Jin Yi made the series an instant television event when the series first aired in Korea in 2006, causing a nationwide rediscovery of the role kisaeng played in Korean history.

Part Three: Grievance
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 6:30 PM

Hwang Jin Yi is learning dance from Yim Baek-moo, one of the best court dancers in the kingdom and a harsh and manipulative teacher. When Hwang Jin Yi's first love ends tragically, she sees Yim's scheming behind it. Jealousy and bitterness build between the two as they prepare for what turns out to be a fateful performance of the crane dance.

Special Screening Guest: Hwang Jin Yi writer Yoon Sun-ju will join the audience by video conference after the screening to talk about writing for the series and take questions.

Hwang Jin Yi at The Korea Society will continue through February, 11 when the final installment, Finale, will be shown at 6:30 PM.

All screenings presented in Korean with English subtitles.

Tickets: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

Order tickets online or call The Korea Society at 212.759.7525, ext. 323.

The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street
New York, NY 10022

This Monthly Screening Series is co-sponsored by KBS

ACF 192: Hwang Jin Yi @ Korea Society

Just a brief reminder that The Korea Society's monthly presentation of select episodes of Korean KBS TV's hit drama Hwang Jin Yi continues tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Part Two: The Birth of a Kisaeng will be shown 6:30 PM.

Synopsis:
Hwang Jin Yi's mother fears that her young daughter will follow in her footsteps and become a kisaeng: a singer, dancer and hostess who lives a life catering to the whims of the yangban elite. Determined that her daughter should become more than a mere plaything for men, she sends Hwang Jin Yi deep into the forest to be cared for by an old monk. But when Hwang Jin Yi slips away and glimpses the beauty of a kisaeng dance, she is drawn to her destiny.

Special Guest:

Actress Jeon Mi-seon (the mother) will appear from Korea through an exclusive video conference to discuss the making of Hwang Jin Yi and answer audience questions. This series continues through February 2009. Click here for the full schedule and photos from the series.

Buy tickets

The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(map here)

ACF 175: Hwang Jin-yi @ The Korea Society

Hwang Jin Yi

Part One: The Zenith of a Kisaeng

Directed by Kim Cheol-gyu

On Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 at 6:30 PM, The Korea Society will be teaming up with KBS TV to screen Part One of the hit historical drama Hwang Jin Yi at The Korea Society. The title character was a celebrated courtesan, singer and poet who lived in the 16th century and who remains a powerful cultural and feminist figure in Korea to this day.

With vivid costumes, breathtakingly beautiful women (especially Ha Ji-won, of Miracle on 1st Street and Duelist fame, in the lead role), dashing men, and plenty of palace intrigue, this is a different and fascinating take on the Hwang Jin Yi legend than the 2007 film version by Yooh-Hyun Chang that The Korea Society screened at the sold-out opening reception for the 2008 New York Korean Film Festival.

Considered one of the best versions of Hwang Jin-yi's story, this one was hit in Korea and was wildly popular throughout Asia. It's a must-see for fans of Asian cinema.

Director Kim Cheol-gyu will make a special appearance to answer questions after the screening, and David McCann, professor of Korean Literature at Harvard University, will introduce the series with a talk.

The Korea Society will screen select episodes from the series on the second Wednesday of each month through February, 2009.

The complete schedule for the selected episodes is:
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 – 6:30 PM

The Zenith of a Kisaeng

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 – 6:30 PM
The Birth of a Kisaeng

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Grievance

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Finale

The Korea Society

950 3rd Avenue, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Buy tickets for Part One here.

Hwang Jin-Yi @ The Korea Society website.