This monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community of members informed about our latest achievements, upcoming programs, and other exciting updates.
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The Korea Society's Members' Newsletter | August 2025
Published 5 months ago • 7 min read
Members' Newsletter | August 2025
by Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
To all our corporate and individual members — welcome to August!
This month, Korea commemorates its liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule on August 15. One of the few national holidays celebrated in both South and North Korea, Liberation Day highlights the distinct values and narratives embraced by each nation.
In South Korea, the holiday is known as 광복절 (Gwangbokjeol), or “Restoration of Light Day.” The return of sovereignty and cultural identity are emphasized, and are marked by ceremonies and reflections on national unity. The name combines three Korean characters: 광 (gwang) - meaning “light,” 복 (bok)- meaning “restoration,” and 절 (jeol)- meaning “holiday.”
In contrast, North Korea observes the day as 조국해방의 날 (Jogukhaebangui Nal), or “Day of the Fatherland’s Liberation.” The focus is on celebrating Kim Il-sung’s leadership, with large-scale parades and performances that reinforce loyalty to his regime.
Here at The Korea Society, we’re celebrating the month with meaningful programming that uplifts our members and fosters community. Upcoming highlights include our Makgeolli Tasting event, the launch of applications for the Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Award, an author talk with South Korean best-selling novelist Cheon Seon-Ran, and a special panel featuring accomplished nonprofit leaders.
Thank you for being a member of The Korea Society and for all you do to support our organization! Please help us connect with new members by spreading the word, sharing our programs, and providing this link to join our membership program.
IMAGE OF THE MONTH
by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society
Beta-amylase, one of the enzymes in nuruk that gets fermentation going
The Cultural Heritage Administration designated the tradition of making and sharing makgeolli as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage on June 15, 2021. In recognition of Korea’s foundational sool (술), and being that it is summer, The Korea Society is holding our inaugural members-only Makgeolli Tasting Event this month.
Brewing makgeolli: The fermentation process starts with enzymes breaking down rice starches into sugars, which yeast then metabolize into alcohol. Nuruk (누룩) is the traditional Korean sool fermentation starter, having been in use since the Three Kingdoms period in the 3rd century CE.
Wheat, rice, and barley are used to make nuruk. The dry grain is moistened, shaped into a large cake, and hung up to ferment for two to four weeks in an ondol room, until a mold forms. Nuruk is loaded with fungi and yeasts as well as lactic acid bacteria which promote gut health. Aspergillus oryzae, one of the nuruk fungi, contains the enzyme β-amylase that breaks down rice starches into fermentable sugars - the biochemical saccharification process. A sketch of the enzyme is at the top of the article.
The presence of such enzymes in nuruk is essential for the proper fermentation of makgeolli and for the development of its flavor. The proportions of microorganisms can vary depending on the region where the nuruk is made. Nuruk from the southern coastal areas surrounding Busan, for example, has a higher lactic acid bacteria content, due to the warmer climate and higher humidity of the region.
Moreover, makgeolli fermentation produces a bioactive substance, 2,6-Dimethoxybenzoquinone, which is also found in fermented wheat germ extract. Studies show that 2,6-DMBQ has beneficial effects on one’s immune system–its molecular sketch is shown below. Setting aside the issue of alcohol, makgeolli is a rather healthy beverage. But, most of us enjoy drinking a cup, or a pitcher (주전자), of makgeolli after a hike on one of Korea’s numerous and wondrous mountain trails for the effects of its alcohol content, in particular.
To learn more about makgeolli and to taste locally produced sool, please join the members of The Korea Society along with the founders of three sool companies: Alice Jun (Hanna Makgeolli), Carol Pak (Makku), Inji Kim (SWRL), and Heeyung & JuHo Kim (NY Makgeolli) at 350 Madison Avenue. If you are not a member, but enjoy makgeolli, please join our growing network of individual members. Stephanie Hwang, Development Officer and membership coordinator, and I look forward to meeting you at this special event on Thursday, August 7. For more information, please see the program announcement in the August Newsletter.
Yoo, JG., Kim, DH. Park, EH. et al. Nuruk, a traditional Korean fermentation starter, contains the bioactive compound 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (2,6-DMBQ). J Korean Soc Appl Biol Chem 54, 795–798 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03253162
Tuesday, August 7, 2025 | 6:00 PM (EDT) | In-person only
Join us at The Korea Society for a special evening celebrating makgeolli, Korean traditional rice wine, with tastings from some of New York’s leading makgeolli brands. Led by award-winning sommelier Paul Lee, this event will introduce the basic history of makgeolli, explore its unique varieties, and guide you through a curated tasting experience. This program is made possible thanks to our participating breweries: Makku, Hana Makgeolli, SWRL, and NY Makgeolli.
Non-members are welcome to purchase tickets here to join this event.
Program Benefits: • $2,500 honorarium • Roundtrip air travel to New York City and hotel accommodations for two-nights. • The opportunity to conduct a public lecture at The Korea Society in early fall, which is conducted in-person but will also be live-streamed and recorded.
Applications Open: Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Award
Each year, through the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sherman and family, The Korea Society recognizes an emerging expert with an opportunity to present a public lecture in New York City. With the aim to advance thought leadership for a new generation, The Korea Society seeks applications from scholars, researchers, and specialists representative of a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Application Process: • Submit an application with a CV, writing sample, and lecture proposal • Two letters of recommendation from senior scholars or professionals.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 5:00 PM (EDT) | Video release only
A bestseller in Korea, The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-Ran is a biting, fast-paced vampire murder mystery exploring queer love and the consequences of loneliness. When elderly patients begin dying under mysterious circumstances, Su-Yeon suspects something more sinister than suicide—especially when a vampire hunter named Violette enters the scene. A gripping mystery, The Midnight Shift overflows with commentary about societal isolation and loneliness, the sharp knife of grief, and the effects of marginalization.
In this episode of Author Talks, Cheon Seon-Ran discusses her career in Korea and the English translation of her novel.
Join us at The Korea Society for Rooted in Giving: Leading Korean Voices in Philanthropy, a panel featuring Korean American leaders Jeannie Park, Sue Kim, and Abraham Kim. Moderated by Emil Kang, this discussion explores leadership, community building, and the impact of philanthropy. Learn how these changemakers are shaping a more inclusive and empowered future through service and advocacy.
This conversation is co-hosted by the Korean American Community Foundation's Associate Board.
KOREAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
FALL 2025 TERM
Registration for the Korean Language Program Fall Term will be open August 18 - September 28.
As part of our membership benefits, we're pleased to offer a 10% discount on language classes to all members of The Korea Society (at Individual Level+). Returning students from the previous term also receive a 10% discount for the term. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your language skills!
On July 15th, The Korea Society featured Kyung-Ran Jo's for a recorded Author Talk program on Blowfish, a postmodern novel that delves into the inner life of a woman contemplating her failures in love and art. The lethal taste of blowfish, which one cannot help but eat even though one may die in doing so, approximates the inexorable pains of writing a novel. Jo discussed her career in Korea and the English translation of her novel with moderator Jay Oh, Senior Director of Arts & Culture at The Korea Society.
On July 17th, The Korea Society and K-Bridge hosted How To Navigate Career Change, a panel on career transitions featuring Korean heritage professionals who’ve successfully pivoted their careers. This event presented the skills, mindset, and strategies that brought our speakers to successful career pivots and how they built support networks within their own Korean and Korean American communities.
This program is cohosted by K-Bridge, a global platform that connects members of the Korean diaspora.
We held a conversation on the enduring legacy and impact of The Korean War and the U.S.-Korea Alliance on July 25th. Introductory remarks were provided by Tom Byrne, President & CEO of The Korea Society, and Chris Stockel, NYC Metro Area chapter president of the Korean Defense Veterans Association (KDVA). Following the remarks, author Dr. Michael Devine discussesed his book, The Korean War Remembered: Contested Memories of an Undended Conflict.
This program was moderated by Policy Program Director Jonathan Corrado and produced in collaboration with the Korean Defense Veterans Association (KDVA).
Julia Riew & Brad Riew @ The Strand
Debut authors Julia Riew and Brad Riew hosted the book launch of their new novel The Last Tiger at the Strand Book Store on July 29th. Inspired by true stories from the authors' grandparents' lives during one of the darkest period in Korean history, The Last Tiger is a young adult fantasy novel about the power of love to give notice to a broken people.
Joined by Julia and Brad in conversation was critically acclaimed, bestselling author Chloe Gong.
We hope you are enjoying The Korea Society's programs! We are a non-profit organization that counts on donations from folks like you to enable us to continue to offer top-notch programs. If you’d like to support our mission, please consider making a contribution here.
YOUTUBE SHORTS
Check out our past programs on The Korea Society's YouTube Channel. Subscribe today!
Thanks to our Media Program Associate Bradley Sheen, you can now see the best clips from our guest speakers on YouTube Shorts. Click on the most recent highlights shown here, or visit the page below for our full collection of shorts.
We are always looking to improve the quality of our organization's programs and content! If you have any feedback, suggestions, or ideas about how we can improve, email us at development@koreasociety.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization with individual and corporate members that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding, and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea.
This monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community of members informed about our latest achievements, upcoming programs, and other exciting updates.
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