Georgia Tech had the honor of hosting Mr. Song Byeok for a lecture and Q&A session in the East Architecture building Rm 123 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on February 23, 2012. Mr. Song Byeok defected to South Korea in 2002 after years of working as a propagandist for the North Korean regime since the age of 24. Mr. Song Byeok now bravely uses his artistic talents to speak out against the regime, creating satirical pop-art work and in turn, boldly voicing his criticisms of the regime. Mr. Song Byeok makes his U.S. debut in Atlanta from February 17-26 with his exhibition entitled "Departure." Alongside his art exhibition at the Goat Farm Art Center in Atlanta, Mr. Song Byeok also spoke of his life and artwork at various Universities and college including Georgia Tech.
The lecture at Georgia Tech was sponsored by Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and Department of Modern Languages. Special thanks to Mr. Gregory Pence for extending this opportunity to Georgia Tech and for his efforts in coordinating for the event. Also, thank you to Professor Jang, director of the Korean language program at Georgia Tech, for giving GT LiNK the opportunity to organize the Guest Speaker event and also for his efforts with coordination and encouraging students of the Korean language program and Department of Modern languages to attend the lecture. Thank you Mrs. Eun Choi who so graciously sponsored the generous reception for the night via SANPC clinic and the Korean Medical Association of Georgia!
A big thank you to everyone who came out to give Mr. Song Byeok such a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Georgia Tech. We had approximately 250-300 attendees for the night. Thank you so much and we sincerely hope you took away a lot from listening to Mr. Song Byeok speak.
Lastly, a huge thank you to all of our amazing volunteers and GT LiNK members and officers. Amazing job Chelsey Shin and Kyoung-chan Kwak for being the translators for the night. Also, thank you to our President Daniel Kim, VP Sam Kim, Secretary Grace Oh and Advocacy Chairs Hyeji Park and Joan Chung for their efforts in preparation for the event. And of course thank you to GT LiNK members: Cathy Nguyen, Taejin Kim, Larry Kim, Yumy Lee, Alvin Lam, Brian Biggs, John Cho, Eddy Kim, Mingie Song and Jiwon Hyun for all your hard-work during the event!
Check out pictures of the event below!
Mr. Song Byeok speaking about the culture shock he encountered in South Korea. Thank you to our translators: Chelsey Shin and Kyoung-Chan Kwak.
Thank you to GT students for such a great turnout!
Group picture of GT LiNK officers (left to right: Kyoung-chan Kwak, Chelsey Shin, Minna Choi, Ms. Nicole Conrad, Professor Jang, Mr. Song Byeok, Gregory Pence, Sam Kim and Daniel Kim) and advisor, Professor Jang with Mr. Song Byeok, Gregory Pence, Ms. Nicole Conrad and Zero TB President Yang
GT LINK members, Cathy Nguyen and Taejin Kim helping to sell merchandise showcasing Mr. Song Byeok's work.
Reception
Thank you to our GT LiNK members and officers (left to right: Yumy Lee, Brian Biggs, Joan Chung, Larry Kim, Grace Oh, Alvin Lam and Hyeji Park) who were servers for the reception~
Dessert for the reception.
Reception prepared!!
Cake presented to Mr. Song Byeok by GT LINK.
Group picture of all the GT LiNK officers and advisor, Professor Jang, with Mr. Song Byeok, Gregory Pence, Ms. Nicole Conrad and Zero TB President Yang. Before the cutting of the cake~
Cutting of the cake~
Mr. Song Byeok signing for GT Students
Mr. Song Byeok showing off Georgia Tech LiNK's present.
Mr. Song Byeok modelling GT LiNK's present to him. Mr. Song Byeok is pictured with VP External, Minna Choi.
A big thank you to the hard-working officers who helped set-up and stayed behind to clean up after the reception!
