Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) returns to Pittsburgh from January 3.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1 and ran through December 19, will return to theaters from January 3.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online via Fandango. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Lunar New Year 2020 Cultural Festival, January 25 in Squirrel Hill.

via the Pittsburgh chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans.

Pittsburgh's fifth annual Lunar New Year celebration will start on January 25 with a cultural festival in Squirrel Hill. It will run from 12:00 to 4:00 pm (slight change from the original announcement) at St. Edmund's Academy and will feature martial arts performances, dances, food, crafts, and more. St. Edmunds Academy is located at 5705 Darlington Ave., next to the Jewish Community Center (map).

Free Chinese, Japanese, Korean classes in Pittsburgh in January.

by sama093 (Creative Commons)


The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue to offer free Chinese, Japanese, and Korean classes at some of its branches the first month of the new year. Check out the class information below in addition to its language resources on the shelves and online.

As the library notes: these classes are free; registration is not required; no materials are needed and nothing needs to be bought; new participants are welcome at any time; classes are for adults (unless otherwise noted) but well-behaved young people are welcome to join as well.

“An Island of Death”: Homo Sacer and Ungrievable Deaths, December 13 at Pitt.

via thejejumassacre.com

Y.J. Hwang will give a lecture, “An Island of Death”: Homo Sacer and Ungrievable Deaths, on the Jeju Island Massacres on December 13.

Jeju Island is internationally known as “the Hawaii of Asia” because of its scenic landscapes. But it is not known that this volcanic island is also called “an Island of Death” in connection with the Jeju massacre (1948-1949). This talk thus focuses on the ways in which the victims of the mass killing are enacted in relation to cultural implications of conceptualizing deaths of the Jeju incident. Given that the main characteristic of the Cold War narrative is associated with the reburial of the dead and the finding of missing bodies in the context of modern Korean history, this talk engages with the way in which cultural memory is performed in Jeju Peace Memorial Park through artistic practices and monuments. Concentrating on the injustice of death, the ethics of the dead, and the relationship between history and memory, it also includes how this site reveals a futuristic vision of understanding the Jeju massacre.

YJ, Hwang is a teaching fellow, working on her doctoral project in relation to South Korea’s Jeju massacre and its cultural memory at the University of Pittsburgh. As a theatre and performance studies scholar, her research interests include gender, memory, and mobility.

It starts at 12:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through December 19.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least December 19.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Southside Works Cinema (map) and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill (map). Tickets are available online.

2019 KPOPittsburgh Holiday Kpop Dance Party, December 13.

412 K-Town / KPOP Pittsburgh will host a KPOPittsburgh Holiday Kpop Dance Party on December 13.

Hi guys .. Chritsmas is near and it is almost end of 2019 .. Come join Us @2019 KPOPittsburgh Holiday kpop dance party. Dj.kidplay will be in the house and spin your fav Kpop Boy/girl group songs , k hiphop and Rnb , K EDM , mash up/remixes and more ..
this event will be happening on Dec 13th ( Friday) @ levelup studio " 8pm-12am". This event is 18 and up ( No alcohol but we will have water for you guys ^^) and $10 at the door. hope to see you guys there ^^ 감사합니다

It starts at 8:00 pm at Level Up Studios in Bloomfield (map).

2020 Lunar New Year festivities begin in Pittsburgh January 25; Lunar New Year parade through Squirrel Hill on February 9.

via Squirrel Hill Magazine

Squirrel Hill's St. Edmund's Academy will host the 2020 Lunar New Year Kick Off on January 25 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, and the annual Lunar New Year Parade will move down Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill on February 9.

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through December 12.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least December 12.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Southside Works Cinema (map) and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill (map). Tickets are available online.

Free Korean III advanced-level classes coming to Carnegie Library in January.

via the Republic of Korea's Flickr page.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which already holds free beginner- and intermediate-level Korean classes, will offer Korean III from January 2020.

Korean III is geared toward those with an advanced understanding of Korean. This group meets 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, from January through April, in Classroom A.

• These classes are FREE.
• You do not have to register for the classes.
• You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
• New participants are welcome at any time.
• This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

The next meetings will be January 4 and January 18 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Carnegie Library branch in Oakland. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map) and is accessible by buses 28X, 54, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 93.

One day left for fundraising for new Screenshot: Asia film festival and media series at University of Pittsburgh from September 2020.

A festival organizer writes with an update on fundraising for the new Asian film festival and media series hosted by the University of Pittsburgh from September 2020:

I wanted to update you on the progress we are making on bringing a new and improved Asian Film Festival to Pittsburgh.

I'm not sure how much you have heard about this, but Pitt will now host the festival each September (now called Screenshot: Asia), which means that the event will have much more student and faculty participation in addition to strong support from the Pittsburgh community. Screenshot Asia will be the umbrella organization for our own Japan Documentary Film Award, and they will support year-round Asian film programming (including showing silent samurai films with live musical performances like the benshi I brought last year).
We have been raising money for the Film Festival in order to prove to Pitt that we have broad community interest. Would you consider making a donation to support us?

A few reasons to support us:

• Pitt has the strongest film studies program in the city (actually a strong nation-wide reputation), and we are well positioned to make this an amazing event for the university, for Asian communities living in Pittsburgh, and for anyone who loves Asian cinema.
• Contributions start at five dollars. Any level of support would be appreciated!
• One of our students is featured in our promotional film (but you'll have to watch the video to find out who!)

We have just one more day until the campaign ends. We are making excellent progress at nearly 80% of our goal. Please take a look and consider supporting us. Many thanks!

You can click here to go directly to the EngagePitt campaign (or copy and paste the address here: https://engage.pitt.edu/project/16914).

Fundraising closes at 11:59 pm on December 3.

Screenshot: Asia was announced in September 2019. It will fill---aiming to fill to excess---a void left after Silk Screen closed in 2018 due to persistent sexual harassment by its CEO, and after Pittsburgh Filmmakers shuttered its theaters and programming in November.

Free Chinese, Japanese, Korean classes in Pittsburgh in December.

a night view of Seoul, by sinano1000 (Creative Commons)

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue to offer free Chinese, Japanese, and Korean classes at some of its branches this December. Check out the class information below in addition to its language resources on the shelves and online.

As the library notes: these classes are free; registration is not required; no materials are needed and nothing needs to be bought; new participants are welcome at any time; classes are for adults (unless otherwise noted) but well-behaved young people are welcome to join as well.

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through December 4.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least December 4.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online.

2019 KPOPittsburgh Holiday Kpop Dance Party, December 13.

412 K-Town / KPOP Pittsburgh will host a KPOPittsburgh Holiday Kpop Dance Party on December 13.

Hi guys .. Chritsmas is near and it is almost end of 2019 .. Come join Us @2019 KPOPittsburgh Holiday kpop dance party. Dj.kidplay will be in the house and spin your fav Kpop Boy/girl group songs , k hiphop and Rnb , K EDM , mash up/remixes and more ..
this event will be happening on Dec 13th ( Friday) @ levelup studio " 8pm-12am". This event is 18 and up ( No alcohol but we will have water for you guys ^^) and $10 at the door. hope to see you guys there ^^ 감사합니다

It starts at 8:00 pm at Level Up Studios in Bloomfield (map).

“An Island of Death”: Homo Sacer and Ungrievable Deaths, December 13 at Pitt.

via thejejumassacre.com

Y.J. Hwang will give a lecture, “An Island of Death”: Homo Sacer and Ungrievable Deaths, on the Jeju Island Massacres on December 13.

Jeju Island is internationally known as “the Hawaii of Asia” because of its scenic landscapes. But it is not known that this volcanic island is also called “an Island of Death” in connection with the Jeju massacre (1948-1949). This talk thus focuses on the ways in which the victims of the mass killing are enacted in relation to cultural implications of conceptualizing deaths of the Jeju incident. Given that the main characteristic of the Cold War narrative is associated with the reburial of the dead and the finding of missing bodies in the context of modern Korean history, this talk engages with the way in which cultural memory is performed in Jeju Peace Memorial Park through artistic practices and monuments. Concentrating on the injustice of death, the ethics of the dead, and the relationship between history and memory, it also includes how this site reveals a futuristic vision of understanding the Jeju massacre.

YJ, Hwang is a teaching fellow, working on her doctoral project in relation to South Korea’s Jeju massacre and its cultural memory at the University of Pittsburgh. As a theatre and performance studies scholar, her research interests include gender, memory, and mobility.

It starts at 12:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 28.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least November 28.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through the 28th and the AMC Loews Waterfront through the 25th, plus three other local theaters through the 20th. Tickets are available online.

"K-Pop Fandom in Pittsburgh," November 21 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host a panel discussion on November 21 titled "K-Pop Fandom in Pittsburgh."

The deeply devoted fans play a critical role in the K-Pop global phenomenon. They support bands through concert tickets and merchandise, streaming videos, memorizing dances and gathering at conventions. K-Pop Fandom is alive and well right here in Pittsburgh. Join us for a moderated panel discussion with organizations dedicated to K-Pop in our neighborhood.

It will feature Elise Antel of the Pittsburgh Japanese Cultural Society and Tekko, Carmen Kuo of Pitt FRESA, and Tommy J. Yoo of the 412 K Town Facebook Page. It starts at 5:00 pm in 229 Barco Law Building (map).

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 21.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least November 21.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through the 21st, and the Hollywood Theater, AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinemas, and Cinemark theater at Pittsburgh Mills through the 20th. Tickets are available online.

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Squirrel Hill through (at least) November 14.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1 and plays at various locations through (at least) November 13, will stay at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through at least the 14th.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues at the AMC Loews Waterfront and through (at least) November 13, opens at the Waterworks Cinema and the AMC in Mt. Lebanon from November 7, and stays at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through November 14; are available online.

2019 Korean Music Festival, November 16 at University of Pittsburgh.

The 2019 Korean Music Festival will be held on November 16 in Oakland. Presented by the Korean Association of Greater Pittsburgh and the Korean Heritage Room, it will begin at 7:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh's campus (map). Tickets are $10 for adults, free for students and children, and half-price for guests dressed in hanbok. For more information, please contact 310-909-3280.

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 13; opens at Waterworks and AMC in Mt. Lebanon November 7.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue here through at least November 13.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues at the AMC Loews Waterfront and through (at least) November 13 and opens at the Waterworks Cinema and the AMC in Mt. Lebanon from November 7, and are available online.