Song Seung-Whan, the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, delivers the keynote speech for the 19th Interpreting and Translation Research Institute (ITRI) International Conference at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Oct. 12.

Song Seung-Whan, the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, delivers the keynote speech for the 19th Interpreting and Translation Research Institute (ITRI) International Conference at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Oct. 12.

By Min Yea-Ji and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Jeon Han
Seoul | Oct. 12, 2018

Korean art experts and scholars from 10 countries gathered at the Interpreting and Translation Research Institute (ITRI) International Conference at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Oct. 12 to discuss the influence of translation and interpretation on the spread of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, and future visions.

Art authorities such as Director Kim Tae-hoon of the Korean Culture and Information Service, Song Seung-Whan, the CEO of PMC Production who is also the director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Professor Brian James Baer from Kent State University attended the international seminar which was held under the theme “the role of translation and interpreting in spreading Hallyu.”

In his congratulatory remarks, Director Kim mentioned that the Korean Wave is not limited to popular culture but to fine arts and lifestyle. He emphasized that “All of these were introduced worldwide because of interpreting and translation.”

“Just like Han Kang’s novel which gained international attention thanks to excellent translator Deborah Smith, I expect more Korean works to be introduced overseas through translation and interpreting,” said Kim.

There were many interesting seminar sessions about videos, games, literature, fine arts and tourism hosted by international scholars. Professor Andy Lung Jan Chan from Lingan University in Hong Kong talked about “the localization of the Korean video games into Chinese and its role in spreading Hallyu.” Professor Nghiem Thi Thu Huong from Hanoi University in Vietnam shared her thoughts on the role of Korean translated literature over Hallyu in Vietnam. There were also sessions related to Arabic, Japanese, Spanish and Russian translation and interpreting.

Director Kim Tae-hoon of Korean Culture and Information Service delivers congratulatory remarks at the 19th Interpreting and Translation Research Institute (ITRI) International Conference held at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Oct. 12.

Director Kim Tae-hoon of Korean Culture and Information Service delivers congratulatory remarks at the 19th Interpreting and Translation Research Institute (ITRI) International Conference held at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Oct. 12.

jesimin@korea.kr