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AsiaLENS | "Hug Me Tight: A Robot Story" Free Screening + Filmmakers Q&A

Event Type
Film Screening
Sponsor
Center For East Asian and Pacific Studies; Co-Sponsor: Spurlock Museum of World Cultures
Location
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S Gregory St. Urbana
Date
Dec 4, 2025   5:00 pm  
Contact
Alex Chun
E-Mail
park387@illinois.edu
Views
3

AsiaLENS presents a free screening of the film Hug Me Tight: A Robot Storywhich we featured at the 2025 AAS Film Expo. After the film, filmmakers Heesun Shin and Chihyung Jeon will virtually join us for an audience Q&A.  We hope to see you there!

About the Film:
In South Korea, thousands of older adults are living with Hyodol, a doll-shaped robot with electronic sensors and communication modules. Following the journey of Hyodol from its production to use, Hug Me Tight: A Robot Story shows how the meaning of care is changing in the age of robots. Featuring members of the robot company, care workers who bring the robots to users, and older adults who interact with the robots daily, the film asks important questions for our age: Can robots take care of older adults? Can older adults take care of the robot? How should we take care of each other?

Film run time is 61 minutes.

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Free speech and academic freedom are foundational to our university’s missions of discovery and exploration. Questioning ideas, posing alternative opinions and presenting different perspectives is how we create knowledge and help everyone to have more meaningful engagement with the world around them. Hosting an event does not imply or signify the university’s endorsement, sponsorship, approval or disapproval of the views expressed in the event.

link for robots only