Yi Gwangsu (1892-1950) was by far the most popular novelist in colonial Korea in the 1920s. However, his works from that period have received little scholarly attention partly because about half of his output was melodramas that were considered to be nothing more than low-brow escapism. It has been virtually forgotten that Yi’s Rebirth was the first full-length novel to feature the so-called “modern girl” as well as one of the first to be set against the backdrop of the March First Movement of 1919. This talk discusses how the novel used the conventions of melodrama to offer a sophisticated critique of colonial capitalism. Friday 10/25, 5:30pm to 7:00pm, Silver Building Rm 207, 100 Washington Sq. E.

Join The Department of East Asian Studies in our annual celebration of Japanese Culture Day. Experience Japan through food tastings, cultural demonstrations, live performances and more. Visit our Eventbrite page for updates on the schedule of demonstrations, performances, and performers/experts. This event is free and open to the public, and wheelchair accessible.  Friday 11/8, beginning at 12pm, 19 University Pl, Room 102

EAS will host the 2019 Chinese Karaoke Contest! Come belt your heart out and sing some of your favorite Chinese tunes for a chance to win big at EAS' 2019 Chinese Karaoke Contest. Vocalists of all genres of music are welcome to sign up. Singers can pick any Chinese songs to perform, either as an individual or as a group. Simply record yourself and send us the audio file by October 19th. Ten finalists will be announced via email by October 25th. Friday 11/1, 2pm to 4pm, 19 University Pl, The Great Rm.

"Rakugo" is a type of Japanese story-telling in which the storyteller uses a paper fan and a small cloth to perform a comedic story. The storyteller remains seated throughout the entire performance and relies on their voice and slight movements of the head to depict the different characters in the story. This year's performance will be conducted in Japanese and English by Yanagiya Tozaburo, and a mini workshop will be given to all attendees. This event is free, open to the public, and wheel chair accessible. Wednesday 10/23, 4:55pm to 6pm, 12 Wavery Pl, Room G08

WATCH THE TRAILER. On the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders is united by fierce loyalty and a penchant for petty theft. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous below the radar existence. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and winner of the Palme d'Or. This event is free, open to the public, and wheelchair accessible.  Friday 11/1, 5pm to 8pm, 19 University Pl, Room 102. 

He Yafei, the Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, joins Susan A. Thornton, the former Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, to discuss the future of China-U.S. relations. The panel will be moderated by Jeffrey S. Lehman, the Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai. This event is free, open to the public, and wheelchair accessible.  Monday, 11/25, 5:30pm to 7pm, Kimmel Center for University life, Room

Author Seth Berkman discusses the release of his new book on South Korea’s women’s hockey team at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. In conversation with Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado, Berkman, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and SPIN and on ESPN, chronicles the tale of a group of young women who brought the Koreas closer in new ways. Followed by book sale and signing by the author. This program enjoys the support of Columbia University's Center for Korean Research (CKR).