Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Hyungwon Kang captures Korea's identity through photographs

사진으로 한국 제대로 알리기에 나선 퓰리처상 수상자 강형원

Photographs can serve as important historical records
When we capture something Korean with a camera, at the same time we capture a portion of Korean identity.
Today we invite a photographer who has been recording important moments of history and recently has been sharing Korea’s identity with the world. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, America’s most prestigious journalism award, a first for a Korean.
It’s photojournalist, columnist and visual history teller Hyungwon Kang. Welcome to the program.

1) Mr. Kang / Hyungwon it’s an honor to have you on “The Kulture Wave”. You are the first photojournalist of Korean descent who has won the Pulitzer Prize, sometimes dubbed the Nobel Prize in journalism, not just once, but twice. That's what you are best known for. BUT, we would like to begin with your recent activities. I heard you were in Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province not too long ago for your photography?

2) Mr. Kang / Hyungwon, you were acknowledged with the Pulitzer Prize for your L.A. Riots coverage as well as for covering the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Now you photograph Korean cultural heritage and natural monuments. What inspired you towards this path?

3) Is there a difference in your mindset as a photojournalist and how you look at your subjects when you cover historically important news scenes and when you take photos of cultural heritage or natural monuments?

4) How do you think your own identity as an immigrant, born in Korea and living in the U.S., has influenced how you view Korean culture?

5) How influential do you think photography is in raising awareness of Korean culture?

6) K-pop, K-dramas, K-movies, now even K-literature. the Korean Wave is sweeping the world. Where do you think the power of Korean culture comes from?

7) As an immigrant who has been away from Korea for a long time, I'm sure you might see the beauty of Korean culture from another perspective. In your eyes, why do you think international fans are so passionate about Korean pop culture?

8) Is there any particular Korean cultural heritage that you wish the world knew more about and would like to see publicized more?

9) The New Year has just begun. We’d love to hear about your plans for 2025, especially those linked to spreading Korean culture out into the world with your masterpieces.

#Photograph #PulitzerPrize #HyungwonKang #강형원 #퓰리처상 #사진 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

2025-01-02, 14:00 (KST)

[VeronicaCelaya-xefb]

Fascinating. Why am I attracted to Korean culture? A unique gentleness comes across. Thank you. So interested in a deep dive.