Meet Hyun Suk Yang

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hyun Suk Yang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hyun Suk, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

From a young age, I have been deeply passionate about Korean performing arts and the rich cultural heritage of my country. I pursued this passion academically by earning a degree in Dance Performance and Education from Sejong University. Since then, my mission has been to foster cultural connections and promote awareness by curating and presenting traditional Korean performances.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the founder and president of the Atlanta Korean Cultural Center (AKCC), a nonprofit organization based in Duluth, Georgia. I established AKCC in 2008 with a vision to bridge cultures and build community through Korean performing arts. Over the years, we have been honored to share Korea’s vibrant traditions with diverse audiences. It is incredibly rewarding to see people from all backgrounds engaging with and appreciating the beauty of Korean culture. This year, we will be hosting our annual Atlanta Korean Traditional Music Festival on February 23, 2025. This is an event that invites the community to gather, enjoy, and learn about Korea’s rich and vibrant culture and traditions through performing arts.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have shaped my journey are openness, resilience, and patience, but above all, I’ve learned that patience must be paired with perseverance. Moving to a new country and introducing Korean heritage to unfamiliar audiences was challenging. There were moments of doubt, setbacks, and times when it felt like progress was slow. However, through perseverance, I remained committed to my mission, continuously seeking ways to connect, educate, and inspire. This same perseverance is what drives my work today – preserving and sharing Korea’s rich cultural heritage through traditional performing arts. As trends come and go, it is vital to ensure that our traditions remain celebrated and passed down to future generations. I believe cultural preservation is a lifelong commitment, and it requires dedication, patience, and the ability to adapt while staying true to our roots.
For those starting their own journey, whether in the arts, nonprofit work, or cultural advocacy, my advice is to embrace challenges as learning opportunities. Stay true to your vision, trust the process, and remember that real impact takes time. The key is to keep moving forward with purpose and passion because every small step contributes to something greater.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! As a nonprofit, AKCC thrives on community support and partnerships. We welcome collaborations with organizations, both locally and nationally, interested in hosting or sponsoring traditional Korean performances. Whether it’s for cultural festivals, educational programs, or community events, we’d love to bring our art to new audiences! For partnership opportunities, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also connect with us on Instagram (@atl_akcc) or visit www.akcc.info for more information. 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akcc.info
• Instagram: @atl_akcc
• Other: Email: [email protected]