The Korea Brand: Understanding KPop, Film, and Culture of the Two Koreas in the Global Context

The global media has recently showcased two newsworthy events related to Korea: BTS at the 2018 BMAs, and the Inter-Korea Summit. This course examines the arrival of “Korea” globally, from the West’s fascination with the North Korean nuclear crises, to the hype around KPop, KFilm, cosmetics, food, and eSports. We will question the fascination with NK in US media outlets, versus its treatment in SK media. The ways in which the particular, local, and authentic, within Korean cultural production negotiates the global market is of particular interest.