The 2024 Korean Cinema with Hyangjin Lee

By now, the renaissance of Korean cinema, culminating most visibly in the success of Parasite (2019) at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and the 92nd Academy Awards, is well known.  But few have spoken about the hidden force behind its global success–a group of female producers and directors, who have spearheaded its most recent wave of popularity by producing films of diverse genres, appealing to global audiences of different ages, backgrounds and tastes.  The breadth of their collective works ranges from the social critiques of Next Sohee (2022) to the blockbuster action comedy of EXIT (2019).   <The 2024 Korean Cinema with Hyangjin Lee> focuses on those who draw sympathy and solidarity between global audiences, offering them a new cinematic experience of historical memories from a woman’s perspective. The three films chosen for this year are: Taxi Driver (2017), a story of German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter and taxi driver Kim Sa-bok who witnessed the struggles of citizens for the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement together; The Age of Shadows (2016), the first Korean film produced and distributed by Warner Bros, which dramatizes espionage set in the Japanese forced occupation period; and Sugung-The Underwater Palace (2023) which documents a story of women pansori, the disappearing Sugunga . Border-crossing and transnational memories are key words chosen for <The 2024 Korean Cinema with Hyangjin Lee> to hear the silenced voices of women rewriting history.

Ort: Capitol Dahlem Thielallee 36, 14195 Berlin und Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

KEC Special Lecture Series on North Korea

When was North Korea's state system formed? There are varying opinions on this matter. Some suggest it was in the 1930s when the country was actively engaged in anti-Japanese activities. Others argue for the 1960s, citing the establishment of a unitary system, while some point to the 1980s when the successor system was solidified. However, the 1950s are often considered the pivotal period, as it was during this decade that the foundational elements of the social and economic system were put in place. Pyongyang was designated as the capital city, and significant growth occurred in the industrial sector. In light of these historical considerations, we have organized three lectures aimed at delving into the process of North Korea's National System Building during the 1950s. Through these lectures, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of North Korea's new strategy in the 2000s, centered around the reconstruction of its national system. 

Ort: Online (Webex)

KEC Special Talk

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

KEC Special Lecture Series on the Korean Wave (Hallyu)

K-pop, a global cultural phenomenon, garners mixed opinions. Some see it as "soft power" supported by the Korean government, serving diplomatic and economic purposes, while others dismiss it as a fleeting trend. Amid praise and criticism, K-pop offers bold narratives, worldviews, and top-notch choreography, defining itself as an artistic performance. It has not only replaced Western idol models but also serves as an industrial prototype that the West is beginning to adopt. K-pop's resilience can be attributed to its fan-centric approach and diverse production system. K-pop agencies connect creators of different backgrounds, forming a cultural network. This lecture aims to focus on the "perspectives," "strategies," and "methodologies" of K-pop creators that captivate global fans. Understanding their values, methods, and fan engagement offers insight into K-pop's present and future in the global music market. 

Ort: Online (Webex)

Special Filmscreening "Reset" with film director Min Bae

The Institute of Korean Studies at Freie University Berlin invites you to join the special screening of the film "Reset" (2022) in the presence of film director Min Bae. 

Ort: Room -1.2009 (Holzlaube) Fabeckstr. 23-25, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin

Inforveranstaltung zum Sommersemester 2024

Die Informationsveranstaltung für Lehrveranstaltungen im Sommersemester 2024 findet um 18 Uhr im Institut für Koreastudien statt. Die Veranstaltung richtet sich insbesondere an Kernfächler der Koreastudien.

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-v.-Simson str. 11 14195 Berlin

KEC Special Lecture Series on the Korean Wave (Hallyu)

K-pop, a global cultural phenomenon, garners mixed opinions. Some see it as "soft power" supported by the Korean government, serving diplomatic and economic purposes, while others dismiss it as a fleeting trend. Amid praise and criticism, K-pop offers bold narratives, worldviews, and top-notch choreography, defining itself as an artistic performance. It has not only replaced Western idol models but also serves as an industrial prototype that the West is beginning to adopt. K-pop's resilience can be attributed to its fan-centric approach and diverse production system. K-pop agencies connect creators of different backgrounds, forming a cultural network. This lecture aims to focus on the "perspectives," "strategies," and "methodologies" of K-pop creaters that captivate global fans. Understanding their values, methods, and fan engagement offers insight into K-pop's present and future in the global music market. 

Ort: Online (Webex)

KEC Special Lecture Series on North Korea - Dr Cheehyung Harrison Kim

Ort: Online (Webex)

Studying MAGEA - Introduction to the program and Q&A session (online)

MAGEA will give a short introduction to the MAGEA program and answer questions related to the program. Everyone interested in the program structure the application the admission prerequisites our cooperating institutes our academic advisors other related topics is welcome to attend the online session. Access: MAGEA meets on January 9, 2024, 1:00 PM (UTC+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rom, Stockholm, Wien. Join on Webex here: Meeting link: https://fu-berlin.webex.com/fu-berlin-en/j.php?MTID=mebcf11d70ca999b49887fdffed459504 Meeting number: 2791 658 2684 Password: DXvZi46Pgn2 Join by video system: Dial 27916582684@fu-berlin.webex.com You can also dial 62.109.219.4 and enter your meeting number. Join by phone: +49-619-6781-9736 Germany Toll +49-89-95467578 Germany Toll 2 Access code: 2791 658 2684

Ort: Webex

KEC Special Lecture Series on the Korean Wave (Hallyu)

K-pop, a global cultural phenomenon, garners mixed opinions. Some see it as "soft power" supported by the Korean government, serving diplomatic and economic purposes, while others dismiss it as a fleeting trend. Amid praise and criticism, K-pop offers bold narratives, worldviews, and top-notch choreography, defining itself as an artistic performance. It has not only replaced Western idol models but also serves as an industrial prototype that the West is beginning to adopt. K-pop's resilience can be attributed to its fan-centric approach and diverse production system. K-pop agencies connect creators of different backgrounds, forming a cultural network. This lecture aims to focus on the "perspectives," "strategies," and "methodologies" of K-pop creaters that captivate global fans. Understanding their values, methods, and fan engagement offers insight into K-pop's present and future in the global music market. 

Ort: Online (Webex)

KEC Human Security Forum 2023 - 140 Jahre Deutsch-Koreanische Beziehungen: Einblicke und Ausblicke

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-v.-Simson str. 11 14195 Berlin

Confucian Heritage: Decoding Writings of Chosŏn Literati

Internationaler Workshop of subproject C09 „Evaluationen von Wissen in konfuzianischen Akademien“  Given a troublesome history of the modern perception of Confucian teaching both in the West and East Asia there is a strong tension between texts of Chosŏn Literati perceived as Confucian and a large corpus of texts which are relegated either to the realm of literature, official documents, or personal materials. The purpose of the present workshop is to challenge the dichotomy and bring to attention various types of Literati writings which have been considered as not typically Confucian for a long time and were largely neglected by modern research or studied only as collateral products of Confucian scholars. This concerns above all large corpus of texts studied predominantly by literature specialists, such as poetry or epigraphics, texts, understood as official documents including various sorts of court memorandum, reports or policy plans and analysis, as well as a broad range of texts mined mostly for information on the author represented by correspondence, dialogues with disciples or diaries. The notion of dichotomy between pure literature, expressing personal feelings of Chosŏn Literati, and their ideologically motivated official writings addressed either to the Korean State authorities or fellow scholars and disciples was to a large degree constructed by the Literati themselves to appeal to diverse audiences in their official capacities yet it should not obscure the fact that most of their personal writings were motivated by the same ideals of the Learning of the Way like their reform proposals or documents written in their official capacities.  As a prime example of stereotypical treatment of a Confucian scholar’s  œuvre  could serve collected writings of Yulgok Yi I (1536–1584) and their historical and modern reflections as materials recommending knowledge transfer and epistemic changes within Chosŏn Confucian discourse. Workshop presentations will focus an analysis of various Literari forms and genres employed by Yulgok in his quest for the spreading of the Confucian message and engage in a dialogue over the question whether of his takes could be singled out as typically Confucian or not. This seemingly trivial question is a basic precondition for a fundamental revision of the existing notion of what is currently understood under a category of Korean philosophical or Confucian texts.

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

Route to Peace - International Conference for the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

International Conference for the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

Ort: Republic of Korea, Seoul Sungkonghoe University Cheon-hwan Lee Memorial Hall,

6th Berlin Forum on Korea: Diversity in Unity - Cultural Diplomacy in East Asia

GEAS Anniversary Conference and Alumni Meeting

Ort: Harnack-Haus, Ihnestr. 16, 14195 Berlin

Korea Europe Center Booktalk - Das Phänomen Lyrik in Korea: Autorengespräch mit Kim Soyeon, Oh Eun und Yu Heekyung

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

Inforveranstaltung zum Auslandsjahr für Studenten der Koreastudien

Die Informationsveranstaltung für das Auslandsstudium in Korea, die vom Institut für Koreastudien gemeinsam mit dem Referat für Studierendenmobilität durchgeführt wird, findet am Dienstag, den 07. November 2023 um 18 Uhr (s.t.) in der Holzlaube (Raum 0.2001) statt. Die Veranstaltung richtet sich insbesondere an die derzeitigen Drittsemester, die sich im Dezember für ein Auslandsjahr (2024/25) an einer koreanischen Partneruniversität inklusive eines Wechsels in den BA Integrierte Koreastudien bewerben wollen.

Ort: Freie Universität Berlin Holzlaube (Raum 0.2001) Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin

Korea Europe Center - Booktalk

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

Koreastudien Studenten Symposium

Interne Veranstaltung der Koreastudien an der Freien Universität Berlin. Programm:  Samstag, der 28.10.2023, 14-18 Uhr Präsentationsrunde 1 Sonntag, der 29.10.2023, 10-18 Uhr Präsentationsrunde 2

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

Lecture Series "Research Fields in Global East Asia" 2023/24

We cordially invite all students and faculty to our  Lecture Series "Research Fields in Global East Asia"  this semester. The lecture series is a constituent part of the English-taught Master's program "MA Global East Asia", which started its inaugural year this October. University faculty in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese studies will provide insights into their areas of research.

KEC Special Lecture Series on North Korea

Ort: Hybrid-event: Offline: Institute of Korean Studies Otto-v.-Simson Str. 11 14195 Berlin Online: Webex

Abschlussfeier der Koreastudien

Das Institut für Koreastudien freut sich, zu Ehren der erfolgreichen Absolventen des letzten Jahres eine Feier zu organisieren. Am 13. Oktober 2023 werden Bachelor sowie Master-Absolventen mit Studierenden und Mitgliedern des Instituts ihren Erfolg im Rahmen einer Abschlussfeier am Institut für Koreastudien feiern.

Ort: Institut für Koreastudien Otto-von-Simson-Str. 11 14195 Berlin

Vorstudienkurs für Studienanfänger der Koreastudien

Liebe Studienanfänger der Koreastudien! Wir freuen uns, Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass in Vorbereitung auf den Semesterstart ein Vorstudienkurs geplant ist, der für alle Kernfächler (Mono-Bachelor Koreastudien) und Koreanisch-Anfänger (im Kombi-Bachelor) obligatorisch  sein wird. Der Vorstudienkurs wird offline, im Seminargebäude "Holzlaube" (Fabeckstr. 23-25) der Freien Universität Berlin durchgeführt.   Bitte beachten Sie, dass Sie bereits für den Vorstudienkurs die Lehrbücher ‚Sogang Korean 1A‘ und später für das erste Fachsemester ‚Sogang Korean 1B‘ benötigen.   Der Vorstudienkurs beginnt am 05.10. um 9 Uhr im Hörsaal -1.2009.   Den Plan finden Sie unten unter Downloads.