The Centre for the Study of Korea — housed at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Asian Institute — is taking centre stage at TIFF this week as Assistant Professor Michelle Cho, Professor Hae Yeon Choo and Juwon Kim take part in conversations about South Korean film and popular culture.
Cho, an assistant professor of East Asian popular cultures and cinema studies in the Department of East Asian Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science, will moderate a discussion on Friday, September 16th with two Korean superstars, Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung.
"I’m thrilled to moderate the conversation with Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung at TIFF for the first in-person festival in two years, and just days after Lee won the Emmy award for best lead actor in a drama series for his role in Squid Game," said Cho. "TIFF invited six Korean films this year, following on the huge success of Summer of Seoul, a Korean film series hosted by the TIFF Lightbox Cinematheque this past summer. I’m really fortunate that my research allows me to be a part of public events like this, which are only possible because of how much interest there is, locally, in cultural content from South Korea."
Lee is best known for his work in Squid Game (2021), Assassination (2015) and Thieves (2012), and directs and stars in Hunt, which is being shown at this year’s festival.
Jung is featured in Hunt and his directorial debut, A Man of Reason, is also showing at TIFF. He is known for his work in blockbuster films such as Steel Rain (2017), Cold Eyes (2013), and The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008).
Cho, an expert in South Korean cinema and global media, will lead a conversation with Lee and Jung about their careers, their friendship, and the success of Korean filmmakers at home and internationally.
Choo, Director of the Centre for the Study of Korea and a professor of sociology at University of Toronto Mississauga and Juwon Kim, a PhD student in East Asian studies, will also be taking part in the event and providing translation.
Read more about Michelle Cho:
- K-pop, fandom and the boys of BTS: Michelle Cho brings the 'Korean Wave' to the classroom
August 29, 2019 | A&S News
Date & Time
3 p.m.
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In Conversation With... Lee Jung-jae & Jung Woo-sung an in-person event at TIFF Bell Lightbox.