Korean Popular Culture

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This class is for those who want to understand contemporary Korean culture in depth through Korean cultural products. Through critical engagement with contemporary Korean media, this course aims to equip students with an understanding of major theories and discussions in globalization, transnationalism, multiculturalism, and cultural politics, as well as media literacy that allows analyzing popular culture and its products. In the first part of the course, we will develop our analytical skills through a study of some key concepts in cultural studies, applying them to our preexisting knowledge of Korean popular culture. In the second part of the course, we will think more "generically," taking different "K-" genres as case studies to better understand the narratives that undergird South Korea's “cultural contents" industry. Lastly, the third part of the course is complemented by insights from guest speakers who are actively researching or working on the global dissemination of Korean culture, as well as how various cultures are localized within Korea. Learning Objectives: ● Develop a critical and informed perspective on how history, culture, and identity are portrayed and represented in cultural products. ● Recognize culture as a dynamic process characterized by evolving tastes and knowledge in the production and consumption of cultural products. ● Utilize critical analysis from the field of cultural studies to examine a variety of visual and textual materials. ● Further develop the ability to effectively reflect on these experiences through writing.