In a world where migration is increasingly shaped by personal choice rather than economic or political forces, questions of identity and belonging have taken on new urgency. People are not only moving across borders but also navigating the complexities of settling into new cultural contexts, further blurring transnational boundaries. Drawing on Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory and Erik Erikson’s perspectives on identity formation, Unfolding Koreanness investigates the ongoing struggles and negotiations inherent in reconciling one’s origins with the realities of a new environment.

The exhibition features six distinct artists from across the United States: Gayageum musician Hwayoung Shon, media artist Inhye Lee, documentary filmmaker Miriam Kim, linguist and photographer Robert J. Fouser, architect Sung Goo Yang, and textile artist Wonju Seo. Each offers a unique interpretation of Koreanness, reflecting on their personal and collective journeys. Key works include an installation utilizing components of the traditional Gayageum zither, textile art reinterpreting traditional Hanbok clothing and Jogakbo patchwork crafts, and a documentary film on belonging and memory.

Through these six individuals’ diverse works, Unfolding Koreanness moves beyond static definitions of identity, instead fostering empathy and shared understanding within the Korean diaspora and beyond. It incorporates personal narratives, collective histories, and cross-cultural dialogues as a multidisciplinary showcase to reimagine what it means to belong in an increasingly fluid and interconnected world.

This exhibition traces the many experiences of Korean immigrants abroad, exploring how memories of migration, cultural clashes, and shifting values shape their identities in a globalized world. It aims to provide deeper cultural insight not only into the expanding Korean diaspora but also spaces infused with traces of Korean heritage. Join us to uncover and reconnect the evolving tapestry of identity that derives from migration and discover how stories of the Korean immigrant experience can inspire deeper conversations about culture, memory, and our place in a transnational society.

Unfolding Koreanness remains on view from Friday, March 14 through Saturday, May 3, 2025, with a public opening reception and talk featuring curator Sang Dae Lee and featured artist Robert J. Fouser in person on Friday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. (RSVP required, below). Join additional celebrations of the exhibition during ArtWalk Dupont’s First Friday community event on April 4 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour open house on Saturday, May 3 (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

Unfolding Koreanness: Exploring Identity in the Age of Migration

March 14 – May 03, 2025

Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.

On View: March 14 – May 03, 2025 (M-F, 10 AM – noon & 1-5 PM)

Opening Reception & Talk: Friday, March 14, 2025 (6 PM, RSVP below)

ArtWalk Dupont Hours: Friday, April 4, 2025 (6 – 8 PM, no RSVP required)                   

Passport DC Weekend Hours: Saturday, May 3, 2025 (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., no RSVP required)

OPENING RECEPTION RSVP COMING SOON!

About the Curator

Sang Dae Lee is a curator, practitioner, and educator, leading UNITEDLAB Associates, a cross-disciplinary design studio he founded in 2006. With a philosophy rooted in integrating architecture with humanism, society, and nature, his work prioritizes social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Before establishing his studio, he gained 17 years of experience at renowned firms in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, collaborating with architects like Charles Moore, Arthur Gensler, Moshe Safdie, and I.M. Pei. His projects have received accolades such as AIA Design Awards and ASLA Professional Awards. Currently an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University, he previously taught at Auburn University. He holds a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc and a Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture from Kookmin University in Seoul.

About the Artists

Hwayoung Shon, a South Korea-born gayageum virtuoso and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is dedicated to preserving and sharing Korea’s cultural heritage globally. Since her public debut on KBS in 1986 and following success in national Gugak (traditional music) competitions, she has earned numerous accolades, including recognition at Seoul National University. Shon has collaborated with K-pop stars, jazz and world musicians, and classical orchestras, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. Her performances have graced renowned venues like the Herbst Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, and KBS Hall and have been featured on platforms such as KBS, BBC, and WGVU-FM. Through her music, she fosters cultural understanding and connection.

Inhye Lee

Inhye Lee is a media artist exploring images, sound, interactivity, and data to connect scattered inspirations, uncover missing links, and spark imagination through technology. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Seoul National University, an MPS in Interactive Arts from NYU, and an MS in Data Visualization from Parsons School of Design.

Miriam Kim

Miriam Kim is a Korean-Brazilian filmmaker and film editor with a background in painting, exploring themes of identity, memory, and belonging. Born and raised in São Paulo, she moved to New York to study Comparative Literature and Visual Arts at Columbia University before earning an MFA in Film Production from USC. She has lived in Los Angeles for the past twenty years with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Robert J. Fouser

Robert J. Fouser, an independent scholar and photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island, specializes in linguistics, literature, and photography. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin, with studies in Korean at Seoul National University. He taught applied linguistics in Japan and Korean language education at Seoul National University. Fouser has authored and translated several books on Korean literature, architecture, and urban preservation. His photography has been featured in exhibitions in Seoul, Kyoto, Incheon, and Busan, and he has curated community photography projects in Korea.

Sung Goo Yang

Architect Sung Goo Yang explores the possibilities of space through diverse methodologies, from traditional architecture to AI and socio-cultural analysis, enhancing spatial value based on user experience. He studied Architectural Engineering at Korea University and earned a master’s degree from Harvard. As the founder of Ether Ship in Seoul and an AIA member, his major projects include the New City Hall of Suncheon (set for completion in 2026). His work has earned recognition such as the New York Young Architects Award, Korea’s Next Generation Design Leader, and the UK’s Best International Architectural Practice.

Wonju Seo

Wonju Seo is a Korean American textile artist inspired by antique Jogakbo (Korean patchwork wrapping cloth), reinterpreting its geometric forms with a contemporary style. Born and raised in Seoul, she earned a BFA in Fine Arts Painting from Hong-Ik University and worked in package and textile design before moving to the U.S. in 1998. Her work explores women's lives and Korean Bojagi textile culture. She currently lives and works in New Jersey and Florida.