Media Coverage

 

What the Press is Saying about the Book 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" 

 

*<언론 보도> 한국어 버전/ Korean version 

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/?document_srl=4097741

 

 

Korea JoongAng Daily 중앙일보 (한국) 

JoongAng l SUNDAY News BOOK

[Bookshelf]  June 9, 2023

 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave (한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드)" (written by Sukie Park, published by Jisungsa, Seoul) = The author witnesses scenes of the Hallyu phenomenon spreading in the center of global culture. The question of "What is the secret of Hallyu?" ultimately boils down to "Who are the Koreans?" The key elements of Hallyu mentioned are the spirit of bibimbap, fast-paced (ppalli ppalli) culture, and the masters of reading the atmosphere, nunchi.

https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25168840

 

 

 

 

The Korea Daily of New York 뉴욕 중앙일보

June 5, 2023

 

New Book by Author Sukie Park, Former Culture Reporter

<33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave>

"A Book that Makes You Feel Korean Identity and Pride"

 

The new book by former journalist Sukie Park, titled "33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave (한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드)," has been published. The book analyzes the Hallyu phenomenon and its underlying factors through 33 keywords, based on the author's experiences of the Korean wave in New York during her 27-year residency. The book is divided into six parts, including "What You Should Know about Koreans," "Joseon, Corea, Korea," "A Nation that Enjoys Eating, Drinking, Singing and Dancing," "The Power of Koreans," "DNA of Koreans," and "K-Culture Renaissance."

 

As a former cultural and leisure reporter for The Korea Daily of New York, Park covered various cultural fields such as fine arts, classical music, opera, jazz, film, musicals, theater, and dance. She interviewed successful Koreans in mainstream culture. Park stated, "At the New Year's Eve event in Times Square, BTS performed and ushered in the year 2020, and the following year, Bong Joon-ho and 'Parasite' swept four categories at the Academy Awards. Witnessing the hurricane of Hallyu in the cultural mecca of New York, I became curious about how Koreans conquered world culture and how Korean immigrants succeeded in specific fields such as grocery stores, dry cleaning businesses, and nail salons, which led me to write this book." She added, "Any Korean would want to know about their roots," emphasizing that the book will make Koreans living around the world feel a sense of identity, potential, and pride.

 

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a halt in all cultural activities in New York, Park researched the roots of Hallyu and spent over two years writing the book.

 

Born in Seoul, Park graduated from Ewha Womans University with a major in journalism and completed her studies in the theater and film department at Hanyang University graduate school. After working as a magazine journalist for Monthly Video, Photo Music, Video Plaza, and Cinema, and a TV scriptwriter, she immigrated to New York in 1996. Since 2012, she has been operating the New York culture information website NYCultureBeat.com.

 

Kim Eun-byul, Reporter, kim.eb@koreadailyny.com 

https://news.koreadaily.com/2023/06/05/life/artculture/20230605203949436.html

 

 

 

The Korea Daily of Los Angeles LA 중앙일보

 

"Unveiling the Essence of Hallyu: 'Bibimbap Spirit' Rooting the Korean Wave"

A New Release by Former Journalist  Sukie Park, Now an Author

 

Former journalist at the The Korea Daily (Joongng Daily, NY), Sukie Park, has released a new book titled "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave (한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드: BTS, 기생충, 그리고 오징어 게임을 넘어서)." In this comprehensive work, Park delves into the global phenomenon of Hallyu and its impact on various aspects of Korean culture.

 

With over 27 years of experience as a cultural journalist, Park has been actively involved in promoting numerous Korean individuals who have made significant contributions in the mainstream cultural sphere. She explains, "Today, the world has become captivated by Hallyu, encompassing not only K-pop, movies, and dramas, but also Korean cuisine and cosmetics. I was driven to write this book in order to analyze how Hallyu could generate such a worldwide frenzy and to explore everything about Korea."

 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" categorizes key elements that embody the dynamic nature of Korea into 33 keywords. The book is divided into six major themes: "Essential Knowledge about Koreans," "Joseon, Corea, Korea," "A Nation That Celebrates Eating, Drinking, Singing and Dancing," "The Power of Koreans," "DNA of Koreans," and "K-Culture Renaissance."

 

Park emphasizes the first category, which she calls the 'Bibimbap Spirit of Koreans,' stating, "Bibimbap represents the openness, flexibility, balance, and harmony of Korean cuisine. Films like Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' challenge traditional Hollywood genres by blending crime, thriller, comedy, and horror, while BTS's music fuses elements of pop, rock, rap, and punk into Korean pop music."

 

She further highlights the strength of Korea's fusion-oriented culture, stating, "Being a nation that excels in fusion, Hallyu's appeal extends beyond cultural boundaries."

 

Just like mixing various vegetables and gochujang sauce on top of rice, Bibimbap demonstrates the skill of crossing and blending genres. Park explains that Koreans naturally embrace openness and flexibility by mixing diverse ingredients in front of them.

 

Park emphasizes that all Koreans would naturally be interested in understanding their roots, stating, "Through this book, I hope Korean individuals can gain a sense of identity, potential, and pride." She also mentions ongoing plans to publish an English version of the book, catering to non-Korean individuals with a keen interest in Korean culture.

 

Sukie Park, who immigrated to New York in 1996 and worked as a cultural journalist for the LA Jungang Daily for 8 years, has been running a website NY Culture Beat (www.NYCultureBeat.com)  since 2012, where she writes columns about Hallyu. "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" is available for purchase at Aladdin Bookstore, YES24, and other major retailers.

 

Kim Yejin, Reporter  kim.yejin3@koreadaily.com

https://news.koreadaily.com/2023/06/12/society/community/20230612185600895.html

 

 

 

The Korea Daily of Vancouver 

 

Global Koreans | [New Book]

June 5, 2023

 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game"

 

Sukie Park, the operator of the website New York Culture Beat (https://www.nyculturebeat.com), has published a book titled "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game (한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드: 방탄소년단(BTS), 기생충, 그리고 오징어 게임을 넘어서)" (published by Jisungsa, Seoul).

 

The author, Sukie Park, graduated from the Department of Journalism at Ewha Womans University and worked for magazines such as Monthly Video, Photo Music, Video Plaza, and Cinema. In 1996, she moved to New York and worked as a culture reporter for the New York Daily New York(뉴욕중앙일보) for 7 years and 7 months.

 

In this new book, "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game," the author explores various aspects of Korean culture and its global influence. From K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas to K-golf, K-classical music, K-ballet, K-food, K-games, K-beauty, K-fashion, K-sauna, and K-quarantine... How did Koreans conquer global culture through the Korean Wave? Why do Koreans excel in artistic endeavors? Where does the power of the Korean Wave come from? These questions ultimately lead to an examination of who Koreans are and their cultural codes.

 

This book offers thrilling insights into the roots of the Korean Wave that is shaking the world, exploring 33 codes including the unique Korean sentiment of "Han," drinking and dancing (음주가무), "ppali ppali" culture (빨리빨리), reading the atmosphere (눈치), satire and humor, resistance spirit, Hangeul (Korean alphabet), white-clad (백의민족)traditional games, kimchi and gochujang, bibimbap, metal chopsticks, bojagi, bottari, bossam (boiled pork wraps), and strong women represented by figures like Yu Gwan-sun, Jeju Island haenyeo (female divers), and Park Se-ri.

 

By providing captivating reading material, this book sheds light on the Korean Wave phenomenon experienced by the author during her 27-year stay in New York.

 

Pyo Young-tae, Reporter | The Korea Daily of Vancouver/The JoongAng Vancouver

https://joinsmediacanada.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=35658#

 

 

 

뉴욕일보 The Korean New York Daily

 

June 13, 2023

 

"Thrilling and Dynamic Hallyu Phenomenon Unveiled in 33 Codes! 

Noteworthy New Release by New York Resident Cultural Critic Sukie Park: "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" 

http://www.newyorkilbo.com

 

 

 

Radio Korea NY

[Major News in New York]

 

Author Sukie Park Publishes New Book "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave"

 

Sukie Park, an author active in New York, has published a new book titled "33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave." Sukie Park, who is also a culture reporter for The Korea Daily of New York, stated that the book "analyzes the Korean Wave phenomenon and its underlying factors experienced over 27 years in New York through 33 keywords." The book is divided into six parts, covering various aspects that one should know about Koreans and their genes.

https://www.radiokoreany.com

 

 

LA Korea Times

 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" Cultural Critique Book by Sukie Park Published

July 7, 2023

 

A cultural critique book addressing Hallyu, which is overturning the dominance of Euro-American-centered cultural imperialism, has been released. Sukie Park, who has been operating the New York cultural information website NYCultureBeat.com since 2012, published '33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave' (Jisungsa).

 

Having lived in New York for the past 27 years, the author, Sukie Park, expresses her desire to pay attention to the numerous contributions made by Koreans, in addition to BTS, "Parasite," and "Squid Game," to the Hallyu wave. She has compiled 33 keywords that decode the identity of Koreans and the dynamism of Korean culture.

 

Through this writing, she confesses that her love and pride for Korea have grown even stronger. Divided into six sections by topic and carefully arranged with the 33 codes, this book is densely filled with clues that allow not only Koreans in Korea but also Koreans living in various parts of the world, including second and third generations, to experience the identity, potential, and pride of being Korean....

http://www.koreatimes.com/article/20230706/1472317

 

 

 

 

Busan Daily News

[A Brief Read] Everything about 'K' from art to Taekwondo and food

2023-06-15

 

33 Codes to Decoding the Korean Wave / Sukie Park 

 

In the 1960s, the United States experienced political and social turmoil. Amid the turbulent era of the assassinations of President J. F. Kennedy and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam War, the Beatles provided solace to the public with positive and philosophical lyrics that encompassed love, heartbreak, loss, forgiveness, and the civil rights movement.

 

Fifty years later, BTS is as charming as the Beatles, addictive music, and spectacular dance, along with lyrics that pierce the heart. Young fans all over the world learn Korean lyrics and sing along by singing about the uncertain future, confidence, dreams, trials and challenges of young people. Beyond K-pop, BTS is regarded as a great group comparable to the legendary four-member rock band The Beatles in the history of world pop music.

 

"33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave" is a book by an author living in New York, which compiles 33 keywords showcasing the identity of Koreans and the dynamism of Korean culture.

 

This book covers not only the main figures of the current wave of Hallyu in K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas, such as BTS, "Parasite," and "Squid Game," but also introduces the original pioneer of Hallyu, Jhoon Rhee, who established a Taekwondo gym in 1960s America and taught Taekwondo to figures like Joe Biden, Muhammad Ali, and Bruce Lee. It is also intriguing to delve into the stories of Broadway costume designer Willa Kim, a two-time Tony Award winner currently featured in an exhibition at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center; David Chang, a chef who has been listed twice in Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World"; and eight artists influenced by Nam June Paik. The book also includes the fascinating stories of Korean Americans and adopted Koreans who have achieved success in fields such as opera, ballet, classical music, art, film, and the culinary industry. Written by Sukie Park, Jisungsa Publishing, 512 pages, priced at 45,000 won.

 

Kim Sang-hoon, reporter, neato@busan.com

https://mobile.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=2023061516340900562

 

 

International Newspaper The Kookje Daily News

2023-6-22

 

[Park Hyeon-joo’s New Book Spotlight]

-33 Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave / Written by Sukie Park / Published by Jisungsa / 45,000 won

 

K-Pop, K-Movie, K-Drama, K-Golf, K-Classic, K-Ballet, K-Food, K-Game, K-Beauty, K-Fashion, K-Sauna, K-Quarantine… . These are fields that are modified with ‘K’. The author, who has lived in New York for the past 27 years, has focused on numerous Koreans who have contributed to the Korean Wave in addition to BTS, 'Parasite' and 'Squid Game', and has organized 33 keywords to read the dynamics of Korean culture and Korean identity. Including our nation's unique han (恨) and eating, drinking, singing and dancing (飮酒歌舞), 'quickly, quickly' culture, nunchi, satire and humor, the spirit of resistance, Hangeul, traditional games, bibimbap, iron chopsticks, and wrapping cloth. Explore the roots of the Korean Wave, which were formed by the seeds and nutrients our ancestors sowed.

-Park Hyeon-joo, Book Columnist-

http://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0500&key=20230623.22014007263

 

 

The first Alladin review about the book

<Purchase> Momimgood 2023-06-24

★★★★★

33 Keys to Decoding the Korea Wave

It would be great to start a story about children and Korean culture with this book.

It is a fun and informative story of competent 2nd generation individuals.

History, culture, art, sports, food,...

It's like a modern version of a simple dictionary of Korean culture.

The key to deciphering the Korean Wave, as the author said, seems to be the right word.

I highly recommend reading it with your children.

https://www.aladin.co.kr/shop/wproduct.aspx?ItemId=318150433

 

 

[신간 안내] 한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드: 방탄소년단(BTS), 기생충과 오징어 게임을 넘어서

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=Lounge2&document_srl=4097797

 

[NEW Book] '33Keys to Decoding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite and Squid Game'

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=Zoom&document_srl=4097451 

 

[언론 보도] 한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드

한국 중앙일보(중앙Sunday), 뉴욕 중앙일보, LA 중앙일보, 밴쿠버 중앙일보, 뉴욕일보, LA한국일보, 라디오 코리아...

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=CulBooks&document_srl=4097741

 

[서점 통신] 한류를 이해하는 33가지 코드: 출간 이후 

교보문고(반포 지점) 비치/ 알라딘 주간 베스트 인문-문화이론 부문 40위(6/13)/ 알라딘 첫 리뷰 

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=Lounge2&document_srl=4098111