Power and Beauty - KBS's 'Hwang Jin Yi' November 12, 2008

The Blockbuster TV Drama from Korea
Monthly Screening Series
November 2008 – February 2009 at The Korea Society

In an age when women were treated as if they were invisible, Hwang Jin Yi, the celebrated Korean courtesan-singer-poet of the 16th century, was larger than life. Her beauty, wit and intellect propelled her from obscurity into the company of Korea’s most powerful aristocrats. The defining romance of her life broke across Korea’s rigid class lines and was in turn shattered by tragedy. A symbol of art and individuality, the subject of countless novels, movies and operas, Hwang Jin Yi remains a powerful feminist figure in Korea to this day.



Directed by Kim Cheol-gyu (More Beautiful Than Flowers) and written by Yoon Sun-Joo (The Immortal Lee Soon Shin), the acclaimed KBS TV drama series Hwang Jin Yi retells the tumultuous life story of Korea’s most famous kisaeng (courtesan). Join The Korea Society on Wednesday, November 12—and on the second Wednesday of each month through February—as we screen selected episodes from this lavish and epic series. Top actress Ha Ji-won’s portrayal of Hwang Jin Yi made the series an instant television event when the series first aired in Korea in 2006, causing a nationwide rediscovery of the role kisaeng played in Korean history.

Part One:The Zenith of a Kisaeng

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM

Hwang Jin Yi’s intelligence, beauty and talent have made her the most famous kisaeng in Korea—every man desires her, every woman is jealous of her. But at the height of her fame, Hwang Jin Yi shows only contempt for the aristocracy that adores her. After the death of her first love, she vows to become as unfeeling as the cold moon, and adopts Myŏngwŏl (bright moon) as her courtesan name.

Part One will be introduced by David McCann, professor of Korean Literature at Harvard University. The screening will be followed by a discussion of Hwang Jin Yi and Chosun society with director Kim Cheol-gyu (right photo) and David McCann.

All screenings presented in Korean with English subtitles.
Tickets: $15 for opening night, $10 for each additional day of the series
($10 and $5 for members, respectively).

Order tickets online or by calling The Korea Society at (212) 759-7525, ext. 323.

Official Website: http://www.koreasociety.org/arts/film/power_and_beauty_-_kbss_hwang_jin_yi.html