Additional Pittsburgh-area theater announced for Return to Seoul, March 24 - 29.

The 2022 film Return to Seoul will play in Pittsburgh for an additional six days, from March 24 through 29, following its March 23 screening as part of this year's Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival. It will play at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map), and showtimes were just announced for the AMC Loews Waterfront. A quick synopsis:

Set over an eight-year time span, Return to Seoul follows Freddie’s journey back to her place of birth — a country to which she has never been and of which she does not know the language. Freddie, played by first-time actor Park Ji-Min, has never felt at home or comfortable in any setting, which may be why she ventures back to Seoul. Over the course of the eight years, Seoul, the city, and Freddie, its citizen, evolve with each new encounter. A story driven through change, Return to Seoul invites audiences to look closely at the experience of adoption, integration, and what it means to be “from” somewhere.

K-Station BBQ, serving Korean meal boxes and Korean tacos, open in Schenley Plaza.

K-Station, a Korean take-out restaurant, apparently opened some time ago in Schenley Plaza in Oakland. It shares a space with Tres Amigos in Kiosk #4 near the Merry-Go-Round, in what formerly was Conflict Kitchen (map), and the K-Station signage is only visible from one side. The menu includes Korean tacos, Korean take-out boxes, and a variety of Korean sides like mandu, kimchi, and Korean Crispy Chicken.

French film Return to Seoul to play in Pittsburgh an extra week, March 24 - 29, following March 23 screening at CMU festival.

The 2022 film Return to Seoul will play in Pittsburgh for an additional six days, from March 24 through 29, following its March 23 screening as part of this year's Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival. A quick synopsis:

Set over an eight-year time span, Return to Seoul follows Freddie’s journey back to her place of birth — a country to which she has never been and of which she does not know the language. Freddie, played by first-time actor Park Ji-Min, has never felt at home or comfortable in any setting, which may be why she ventures back to Seoul. Over the course of the eight years, Seoul, the city, and Freddie, its citizen, evolve with each new encounter. A story driven through change, Return to Seoul invites audiences to look closely at the experience of adoption, integration, and what it means to be “from” somewhere.

It will play at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.

Lecture: Asia Pop Lecture Series: K-Pop Online Fan Cultures, March 28 at Pitt.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh will host Dr. Jade Kim and her talk "K-Pop Online Fan Cultures" on March 28. Part of this semester's "Asia Pop Lecture Series: Fan Cultures", Dr. Kim's talk starts at 6:00 pm in 5201 Posvar Hall.

French film Return to Seoul in Pittsburgh, March 23, as part of Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival.

The 2022 film Return to Seoul plays in Pittsburgh on March 23 as part of this year's Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival. It plays on March 23 at the Harris Theater downtown (map), 7:30 pm, and includes a Q&A session and reception afterwards. A quick synopsis:

Set over an eight-year time span, Return to Seoul follows Freddie’s journey back to her place of birth — a country to which she has never been and of which she does not know the language. Freddie, played by first-time actor Park Ji-Min, has never felt at home or comfortable in any setting, which may be why she ventures back to Seoul. Over the course of the eight years, Seoul, the city, and Freddie, its citizen, evolve with each new encounter. A story driven through change, Return to Seoul invites audiences to look closely at the experience of adoption, integration, and what it means to be “from” somewhere.

The evening also includes:

Q&A and Discussion with director Davy Chau, writer Laure Badufle, & Katie Ozbek, Director of Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Network

Moderated by Andy Lee, PhD Candidate in Film and Media Studies, University of Pittsburgh

Special Performance by K-Pop Dance Club, CMU
And a reception catered by The Boonseek and Sumi's Cakery.

The festival opens on March 16 and runs through April 2, and has several films from Asia or with an Asian connection.

French film Return to Seoul, Taiwanese film Goddamned Asura (該死的阿修羅), and animated film based on Murakami's Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman help comprise 2023 CMU International Film Festival, from March 16.

Several films with East Asian connections help comprise this year's Carnegie Mellon University International Film festival, starting on March 16. Selections include the 2022 film Return to Seoul, the 2021 Taiwanese film Goddamned Asura (該死的阿修羅), and a 2022 animated film based on Japanese author Haruki Murakami's Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. The festival starts on March 16 and runs through April 2, and tickets are available online.

Kpop Drop-in Class at Yanlai Dance Academy, March 4: TXT "Sugar Rush Ride."

Yanlai Dance Academy's next Kpop Drop-in Class will be on March 4th with TXT's "Sugar Rush Ride."

Join our studio for a new set of Kpop drop-in classes! Come learn at a single class or join our weekly Kpop dance classes!

March 4: TXT 'Sugar Rush Ride'

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Each class will start with a short warm up before proceeding to learn the chorus choreography for a popular Kpop dance.

Each class is $15 to be paid in person via Venmo, cash, or check.

No registration is necessary. Please come on time wearing clothes comfortable for dancing in. We recommend that you bring a water bottle.

The class runs from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on the 4th. Yanlai Dance Academy is located at 2260 Babcock Boulevard in the North Hills (map). 

Concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas continues in Pittsburgh through February 12.

The concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas, which opened in Pittsburgh theaters on February 1, will stay here through (at least) February 12.

Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2022 Park Chan-wook film Decision to Leave (헤어질 결심) returns to Harris Theater, February 13.

The 2022 Park Chan-wook film Decision to Leave (헤어질 결심), which played in Pittsburgh from October 28 through November 10, will return on February 13.

After gracing us with his presence six years ago with his sumptuous and sexually-charged period thriller, THE HANDMAIDEN, master filmmaker Park Chan-wook returns with one of his most dizzying and riveting cinematic concoctions yet. During its rapturous reception at the Cannes Film Festival this year, where it netted Park the Best Director Award, the film was likened to VERTIGO and BASIC INSTINCT. While neither of those tantalizing comparisons is completely off the mark, they shortchange a work of furious vision and invention that finds one of the world’s greatest filmmakers operating at the top of his powers. Hotshot Busan detective Hae-jun’s latest case finds him staring deep into the eyes of a dead hiker and then up at the vertiginous cliff from which he fell. Was this an accident or was foul play involved? This is the riddle he must unravel when he interrogates the man’s Chinese wife, Seo-rae, a caretaker who doesn’t seem particularly heartbroken by the tragedy. Hae-jun dives headfirst into the case, but as he looks deep into Seo-rae’s eyes for answers, a different truth is beginning to build within him.

It plays locally at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map), and tickets are available online.

Concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas continues in Pittsburgh through February 8.

The concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas, which opened in Pittsburgh theaters on February 1, will stay here through (at least) February 8.

Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan.

It plays locally through the 5th at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson, and stays at the Cinemarks in North Hills and Monroeville from the 6th. Tickets are available online.

Fangirl Fantasy: K-Pop Night, February 18 at Mr. Smalls Theatre.

Mr. Smalls Theatre will host "Fangirl Fantasy: K-Pop Night" on February 18, 2023. A summary of the "ultimate fangirl experience" that travels around North America, from ths promotion's official site:

Fangirl Fantasy is the ultimate fangirl experience created by a fangirl for a fangirl. A night where all your favorite music is played in one place. It’s a night where you can be yourself unapologetically.

Fangirl Fantasy events celebrate the passion and enthusiasm fangirls share for their favorite artists. We curate events featuring fangirl favorites, including The Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, One Direction, and more!

Tickets for the all-ages show are available online for $18, plus the multitude of fees. Mr. Smalls Theatre is located at 400 Lincoln Ave. in Millvale (map).

Pirates welcome new pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok (심준석) to Pittsburgh.

18-year-old pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok (심준석), who the Pirates signed earlier this month out of Duk-soo High School, arrived in Pittsburgh for a introductory press conference and photoshoot yesterday.

$10 tickets for U Had To Be There: KPOP NIGHT at Roxian Theatre January 27 with promo code "pennsylvasia."

U Had To Be There, a national pop-up party organizer, will present Kpop Night at Roxian Theater on January 27. The all-ages show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online for $10 by using promo code "pennsylvasia." The Roxian Theatre is located at 425 Chartiers Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

Concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, from February 1.

The concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh theaters from February 1 through 5.

Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

2022 Korean film Broker (브로커), starring Song Kang-ho, remains in Pittsburgh through January 26.

The 2022 Korean film Broker (브로커), which opened in Pittsburgh on January 12, will remain here through at least January 26. A synopsis, from Han Cinema:

A film about people who have become involved around 'the Baby Box' which is designed to allow people who cannot raise children to leave their babies anonymously.

Broker was the 18th highest-grossing film in Korea last year, 10th among domestic films there. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront through the 19th and at the Squirrel Hill Manor through the 26th.

New Pirates signee Shim Jun-seok to be at PNC Park on the 26th for introductory meeting.

from @Pirates 

Shim Jun-seok (심준석), an 18-year-old Korean pitching prospect signed by the Pirates on January 15th, will make his way to Pittsburgh on the 24th and will has a formal introduction to the team on the 26th, according to SBS.

심준석은 오는 24일 미국으로 출국해, 현지 시간으로 26일 미국 펜실베이니아주 피츠버그 PNC 파크에서 열리는 입단식에 참석합니다.

Shim pitches for Duk-soo High School (덕수고교) in Seoul, and has drawn comparisons to fellow Korean (and forer Pirate) Chan-ho Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates sign top Korean pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 18-year-old pitcher Shim Jun-seok (심준석), considered among the best prospects in baseball and the top Korean prospect, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

Shim, South Korea's top prospect, throws a fastball that tops out at 100 mph and consistently sits in the 94-96 range. He features a true 12-6 curveball and shows good command of all of his pitches. What’s more, the big and strong-bodied Shim has been praised for his clean arm action and his athleticism.

It’s also worth noting that his slider and changeup are also emerging and could eventually develop into plus pitches in the future. He’s been compared to a young Chan Ho Park since his early teens because of his poise, makeup and fastball.

Chan-ho Park also pitched for Pittsburgh at the end of his career. The Pirates have had Korean prospects in their system since the 1990s, but it's only been recently that they've made an effort to scout and sign top prospects from the KBO, and from East Asia in general.

Asia Pop Lecture Series: Fan Cultures, with Pitt this spring (starting January 24).

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present a series of lectures on fan cultures, "Asia Pop Lecture Series: Fan Cultures," this spring.

Want to learn about fan cultures of East Asia? Interested in the online culture of k-pop fans? What is Otaku and how does it help define Japanese fandom? This semester's lecture series will explore the fan cultures of East Asia and their influence on contemporary fan cultures across the world.

The schedule; the first three talks will be held in 5201 Posvar Hall (map), while details for the fourth have not been announced: 

• January 24 6:00 pm - Dr. Keisuke Yamada, University of Pittsburgh, virtual vocaloid culture. 
• February 21, 6:00 pm - Dr. Patrick Galbraith, Senshu University, Otaku fandoms. 
• March 28, 6:00 pm - Dr. Jade Kim, Texas A&M International University, K-Pop online fan culture 
• April 4, 6:00 pm - Dr. Lu Chen, Guangzhou University, discuss traditional fandoms.

Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly close to signing top Korean pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to signing 18-year-old pitcher Shim Jun-seok (심준석), considered among the best prospects in baseball and the top Korean prospect, according to ESPN KBO insider Daniel Kim. A profile, from MLB.com:

The scouts that have seen Shim pitch make a case that he is the best arm in this year’s international class.

What’s not to like?

He throws a fastball that tops out at 100 mph and consistently sits in the 94-96 range. He features a true 12-6 curveball and shows good command of all of his pitches. What’s more, the big and strong-bodied Shim has been praised for his clean arm action and his athleticism.

It’s also worth noting that his slider and changeup are also emerging and could eventually develop into plus pitches in the future. He’s been compared to a young Chan Ho Park since his early teens because of his poise, makeup and fastball.

Kim is currently eligible to sign with a Major League team but will likely wait until the start of the next international signing period in January to sign.

The international signing period starts on January 15.

Concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, from February 1.

The concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh theaters from February 1 through 5.

Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.