Today I had my first day as a postdoctoral fellow at the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan! Looking forward to a productive and enlightening year of research and involvement here!

Though a short program, I feel a sense of accomplishment completing the Emerging Leaders Fellowship at National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. I learned a lot, had the privilege of visiting places most people never get to see, and met some wonderful people.

Colleagues and I visited the 4.19 National Cemetery 국립4.19민주묘지 in Seoul on a beautiful evening. It is a resting place and memorial for students killed in the mass protests against President Syngman Rhee in the 1960 April Revolution (4.19혁명).

I'm honored and privileged to have been part of the 13th Emerging Leaders Fellowship Unification Academy (신진학자 통일아카데미) at the National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. It was wonderful to share the experience with a cohort of colleagues from 10 countries.

I am delighted to have been conferred my PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University today! A tremendous thank you to the countless people in my life who have helped make this possible!

#AAS2025 coasters at Gallerie in the Hilton

I'll be presenting this Saturday at #AAS2025. My presentation, "The Inter-imperial Construction of Religion in Korea’s Open Ports Era, 1876-1905," is based on the first chapter of my dissertation. Part of the "Religion in Flux: Dynamic Constructions in Asian Religiosity" panel beginning at 8:30am.

I'm glad to have been part of the first ever Yale Korean Philosophy of Religion and Theology Graduate Conference yesterday. I appreciate being invited to participate as a moderator and enjoyed the research presentations and the conversations! Thank you to the organizers!

Tantanmen and a Momotarō cocktail (Roku gin, peach liquer, sparkling grapefruit juice) for dinner at our local favorite ramen restaurant.

I organized and ran a panel of my own design at the American Academy of Religion conference for the first time. "Religion and Marginality in Korea," for the Korean Religions Unit. Very pleased with how it went, and grateful to all who helped make it possible! #SBLAAR24

The Korean Religions Unit's session on "Global Korean Buddhism" is today (Monday, Nov. 25) at 5pm in HB-Cobalt 502A. #SBLAAR24

The Korean Religion Unit's session on "Religion and Marginality in Korea" is today (Sunday, Nov. 24) at 5pm in CC-30E, followed by the unit's business meeting. #SBLAAR24

Arrived in warm and sunny San Diego for #SBLAAR24!

Looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues at #sblaar2024! I'll be chairing the panel I organized for the Korean Religions Unit on "Religion and Marginality in Korea" at 5pm on Sunday, November 24th.