The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA), led by Director Haedon Lee, participated in the “Los Angeles Times Festival of Books” on April 26 and 27 at the USC campus, hosting a booth to introduce Korean literature to the American public. Hosted annually by the LA Times, this prominent festival attracts over 150,000 visitors and features more than 500 publishers, libraries, and literary and cultural institutions.

KCCLA’s booth showcased a wide range of Korean books and offered interactive programs where visitors could experience Korean culture firsthand. This year’s highlights included exhibitions of Korean literature and picture books and book signings by Korean American authors.

The Korean literature exhibit featured works by Han Kang, the recent Nobel Prize laureate, as well as books by internationally acclaimed authors such as Bora Chung, Sang Young Park, Hwang Sok-yong, and Cheon Myeong-kwan—whose works have been recognized by prestigious awards including the Booker Prize, National Book Award, and International Dublin Literary Award. In collaboration with the Korean Picture Book Publishing Association, 30 Korean picture books and original illustrations were also displayed.

Visitors had the opportunity to take part in various cultural experiences, including trying on hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and exploring Korean calligraphy, with names written in Hangul (Korean letters). Additionally, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization and the King Sejong Institute, special promotions spotlighted Korean tourism and language programs.

Special book signing sessions with four Korean American authors also took place. On April 26, Paula Yoo (Rising from the Ashes) and Rosa Kwon Easton (White Mulberry) met with readers. On April 27, Ann Suk Wang (The House Before Falling into the Sea) and Susie Yi (A Sky of Paper Stars) held signing sessions. These authors have recently gained recognition in the U.S. for publishing books that explore Korean culture and history.