Korean Popular Culture

Korean Popular Culture explores the many facets of Korean popular culture through the examination of its developments both at home and overseas. The subject introduces theoretical frameworks commonly applied in Korean Studies and critically supports the discussion of topics such as the global diffusion of the Korean wave, K-pop and K-dramas, fandom and celebrities, Korean cultural policies, and cultural diplomacy. This subject will investigate beyond the surface of contemporary “K-culture” and situate Korean creative industries and the domestic and international circulation of their products within Korean political, social, and economic reality. Overall, it provides a comprehensive understanding of contemporary Korean society through the lens of popular culture. This subject is taught in English.