The Korean Cultural Center in Brazil has announced the opening of registration for its September book club meeting, which will focus on "If I Had Your Face" by Frances Cha. The event is part of the center's ongoing efforts to promote Korean literature translated into Portuguese throughout Brazil, fostering cultural exchange and literary appreciation among local readers.
Selected in connection with the Yellow September campaign, the novel specifically addresses themes related to mental health, making it particularly relevant to contemporary social discussions. "If I Had Your Face" offers readers a striking examination of the pressures faced by women in modern South Korea, including societal beauty standards, plastic surgery culture, and social expectations surrounding marriage and family life. With remarkable sensitivity and depth, the novel explores complex themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of happiness while raising important questions about mental health challenges and youth experiences in contemporary Korean society.
The Korean Cultural Center's Book Club meets on a monthly basis under the moderation of Luara França, providing participants with valuable opportunities to exchange impressions, share insights, and gain fresh perspectives on each selected book. The program is designed to be fully accessible to the general public and actively encourages intercultural dialogue while welcoming readers from all backgrounds and experience levels. Importantly, no prior knowledge of Korean culture or literature is required for participation, making the program inclusive for newcomers to Korean literary works.
Two meeting options are available for September participants. Group A will convene on Wednesday, September 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., while Group B will meet on Saturday, September 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both sessions will take place at the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil, located at Avenida Paulista, 460, Ground Floor, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP.
The registration period runs from August 18 through August 24, with applications accepted exclusively through Google Forms. The registration form will open precisely at 10:00 a.m. on August 18 and will close at 11:59 p.m. Brazilian Time (BRT) on August 24. After submitting their application form, all applicants will receive an email copy of their response, though this does not constitute confirmation of participation in the program.
Each group has a capacity limit of 20 participants, with spots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to form submission times. Selected participants will receive individual confirmation emails directly from the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil on August 25. Those who do not receive confirmation emails will be automatically placed on a waiting list for potential future openings.
Participation requirements are minimal, with applicants needing to be at least 15 years old. Admission to the book club meeting is completely free, though registration through the Google Forms system is mandatory. The registration secures a spot exclusively for the September meeting, and participation in this edition does not guarantee placement in future book club sessions.
Interested individuals can direct inquiries to kccbrazilcursos@gmail.com for additional information about the program. The Korean Cultural Center's book club initiative represents part of broader cultural programming designed to strengthen literary connections between Korea and Brazil while building understanding of Korean contemporary literature among Portuguese-speaking audiences.
