Korean Studies Commons^™

Has K-Pop Lost Its Koreaness?, Madison J. Gusler

Capstones

Since the 2010s, the global expansion of K-pop has been undeniable, with music from Korean idol groups resonating with fans around the world. We’ve seen the industry adapt to cater to this global audience, placing emphasis on non-verbal aspects of performance such as choreography and set design, and integrating more English lyrics in their songs. K-pop has always had multinational, multicultural influences in its production, yet the music has remained distinctly Korean. But as the industry expands into new markets, faces new challenges, and adapts to convey greater global appeal, the public must contend with the idea of a K-pop …

Analysis Of The K-Pop Song "Attention" By Newjeans, David W. Maturo, Grace Sun

SPARK Symposium Presentations

In my Theory IV class, I was given the opportunity to explore music beyond the topics and units within the syllabus. Out of genuine curiosity, I chose to dive into one of my favorite songs: “Attention” by NewJeans. While K-pop has long been an innovative force in music, the fourth generation has taken the genre to new heights by pushing boundaries and exploring fresh, unexpected directions, further reshaping what is considered "K-pop." Many artists, like Parannoul with their exploration of indie and alt-rock, aespa and LE SSERAFIM with their cyberpunk aesthetics and industrial pop/EDM sounds, and other rising acts, are …

Beyond Boundaries: Evaluating Bl/Yaoi Subject Headings In Academic Library Classification, Cecilia Zhang

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of the newly established Library of Congress Subject Headings, "Boys' Love (Gay Erotica)" and "Yaoi (Gay Erotica)," in classifying and facilitating the retrieval of information related to these genres. By examining the complex history of these terms within fan communities in Japan, China, and Korea across different historical periods, this research argues that the current LCSH oversimplifies the genre's rich cultural context and ongoing innovation, creating barriers to effective information retrieval and access. Additionally, the use of the term "Gay Erotica" is misaligned with the nuanced nature of BL/Yaoi, further complicating its classification. This …

The Sudden Deluge: Parasite, Matthew 24:36-51, And Immanent Apocalyptic Imagery, Diana Abernethy

Journal of Religion & Film

Bong Joon Ho’s 2019 film Parasite shares significant imagery with the apocalyptic teachings in Matthew 24:36-51. Both feature oblivious carousers before a flood, sleeping homeowners, and domestic workers caught unaware by a returning homeowner. This article argues that this shared imagery gives Parasite an apocalyptic edge that intensifies the film’s warnings about potential consequences of extreme economic disparities in capitalism. This article develops this argument by (1) highlighting the apocalyptic features of Matthew 24:36-51; (2) describing the convergence of imagery between Parasite and Matthew 24:36-51; and (3) exploring how the film’s apocalyptic edge illuminates urgent and latent dangers of extreme …

Marshaling A Triumph: The Park Chung Hee Era, Developmental State Theory, And The Meaning Of Success In South Korea, Kevin Hockmuth

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

South Korea has long been looked to as a model of developmental success. Undoubtedly, South Korean society has experienced a remarkable expansion of wealth, social well-being, and technological capacity over the last half-century. The central turning point in this momentous transformation coincided with the authoritarian rule of Park Chung Hee (1961-1979). As such, scholars of political economy and development have paid close attention to the various facets of his regime to glean the primary causes underpinning South Korea’s developmental feats. The most significant of these efforts have emerged from works emphasizing the role of the South Korean developmental state. This …

Principal Agency 50 Years After The Lau Decision: Building And Sustaining Bilingual Education Programs For Asian Languages, Kevin M. Wong, Zhongfeng Tian

Education Division Scholarship

This study examined how three champion principals of Asian language dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs—Cantonese, Korean, and Mandarin—in California have navigated the oscillating language-in-education policies after the Lau decision. We explored principals' various roles through a lens of agency in a social justice leadership framework, specifically considering the opportunities and challenges for agentive leadership from three different phases: foregrounding and engaging, planning and implementing, and evaluating and sustaining. Findings demonstrate that the success of DLBE programs goes beyond the overarching language policies that supposedly enable bilingual education; rather it hinges on the bottom-up commitment, collaboration and resilience of principals, …

Singer’S Guide To Hak Jun Yoon’S Selected Art Songs, Sunmin Cha

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Composer Hak Jun Yoon is at the forefront of popularizing Korean art songs through the combination of artistry and mass appeal, positioning him as one of the representative composers of contemporary Korea. Recently, Yoon’s songs gained significant popularity after being featured on the Korean vocal competition TV program “Phantom Singer,” playing a major role in sparking public interest in Korean art songs in general. This document aims to widen that circle to more classical singers by analyzing poetic and musical elements in four of Yoon’s representative songs: “On the Way to You,” “A Flower Blooms Alone,” “Lingering Scent,” and “The …

Loving 바리데기: A Traveler's Guide To Anthologizing The 여성 시인, Tiffany Hyunkyung Chang

Comparative Literature Undergraduate Senior Theses

This thesis retells the folktale of the Korean shaman goddess 바리데기’s (Paridegi) as my journey through Korean literature. It follows Korean feminist poet Kim Hyesoon’s typology of the three deaths that 바리데기must experience to become a shamanic goddess and mediator with Death. I map these three deaths (the Death of Losing Your Name, the Death of Diaspora, and the Death of Immortal Crossings) onto the three stages of my development as a second-generation Korean American literary scholar, translator, and artist. Through connecting my personal journeys with the disciplinary concerns facing comparative literature, Asian American studies, Asian area studies, and Korean …

Memories Of Gimjang_김장: And Performance As The Practice Of Freedom, Chung Park

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Memories of Gimjang_김장: and Performance as the Practice of Freedom reflects my response to a feeling of isolation as a Korean American MFA graduate student living in Northwest Arkansas for the last three years. This experience led me to an endless search for identity and place, compelling me to reach into my past and cultural history in relation to the present. To satiate a sense of home in this world, I turned to an artistic intervention to translate the indecipherable, which brought to life my thesis performance, Gimjang_김장:. Gimjang_김장: allowed me to reveal multitudes of experiences and imagined a possibility …

L2 Acquistion Of Korean: Phonology And Prosody, Angel M. Ray

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Learning Korean as a second language (L2) has many challenges for a native (L1) non-native speaker. There is a new alphabet, word order, and new sounds that English does not have. Additionally, pronunciation and prosody are among the hardest aspects of the language to learn and master. Especially if one's native language is not tonal or does not have similar sounds in their inventory. The new sounds that a new language introduces can be too subtle to pick up when listening, making it difficult for non-native speakers to replicate in their speech. The language's flow of speech and rising and …

Interacting With Korean Sijo Poetry Through Stereoscopic Reading, Katerina R. Bucek

ALL - Honors Theses

The process of stereoscopic reading highlights different aspects of a piece by using multiple translations and the source text in the same space. When applied to sijo, stereoscopic reading provides insight into both the meaning and art form of the poems, which could not be achieved through a single translation. Stereoscopic reading was introduced by translator and professor Jo Anne Engelbert as a method of reading and teaching foreign language texts. I argue that the stereoscopic reading method is compatible with Korean sijo in a way that reveals the complexity of the poems on both linguistic and stylistic levels and …

Doenjang In The Air: Maangchi And The Mediation Of Korean Cultural Authenticity, Justin Sprague

Women's & Gender Studies Faculty Publications

In this article, I explore the ways that women of the Korean diaspora engage in cultural meaning‑making through material culture in efforts to redefine what it means for people, things, and ideas to be considered “authentically Korean”. Using the case study of famous internet chef Maangchi, I examine one of her best‑selling cookbooks and her digital presence to identify the tac‑ tics she uses to exert agency in the meaning‑making and community‑building process, using Korean food and her role as a maternal figure as vehicles for analysis. Due to her roles as a mother and her positioning as a quintessential …

Ontological Complexity Of Interpolity Orders: The Encounter Between Chosŏn And Tibet In Qing, Inho Choi, Minju Kwon

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

This article examines the ontological complexity of interpolity orders with a focus on peripheral polities in the Qing order. Existing multiculturalist studies of the Qing order emphasized diverse cultural representations of a single imperial reality, lacking an understanding of multiple realities experienced by peripheral participants. Our analysis reveals the ontological complexity—rather than cultural diversity—of the Qing order, in which multiple ontological agents experienced different lived worlds, from the encounter between Chosŏn Korean envoys and the Tibetan Panchen Lama at Emperor Qianlong’s birthday ceremony. By analyzing the Chosŏn envoy member Pak Chiwŏn’s travelog and Tibetan records, we argue that the Chosŏn …

Recursive Documentary Design And An Awareness Of The Mechanism, Wayne Defremery

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This essay documents 3D-printed sculptures displayed at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Document Academy. To raise awareness about the cultural significance of the mechanisms that produce digital substance, the sculptures lend material heft to some of the abstractions that help to constitute textual representations of a sixteenth-century Korean lyric and modern Korean poems from the early twentieth century in digital environments. The essay also describes previous exhibitions of the sculptures that utilized augmented reality technologies. By documenting the ways augmented reality technologies represented 3D-printed sculpture that documents digital texts that represent printed documents and manuscripts, the essay suggests how …

Beyond “The Forgotten War”: A Multidimensional Exploration Of The Korean War And Its Enduring Impact, Matthew Weishaupt

History - Master of Arts in Teaching

I. Synthesis Essay...................3

II. Primary Sources................20

III. Textbook Critique..............30

IV. New Textbook Entry..........34

V. Bibliography.......................40

The Pressure Of The Past: Historiographical Trends In The Origins Of The Korean War, Jacob Weiss

History - Master of Arts in Teaching

Historiographic Synthesis Essay...............4

Essay Bibliography..................................27

Primary Sources......................................28

Textbook Critique.....................................42

New Textbook Entry.................................47

Selenophile: Modernity In Tradition, Junghoon Lee

MA Projects

Selenophile: Modernity in Tradition examines contemporary moon jars created by five different artists. The primary goal of this exhibition is to expand interest in the moon jar and emphasize their significance and value within Western culture. Notably, moon jar exhibitions are not commonly accessible in the United States, which further validates the importance of this exhibition. Additionally, the growing market for moon jars in Eastern culture and the increasing attention given to moon jar auctions in the United States contribute to the authenticity of this exhibition. In other words, the exhibition serves as an introduction to contemporary moon jars for …

Describing Dictee, Seo-Young J. Chu

Publications and Research

The visual images in Dictee are famously captionless. They resist straightforward explanation. In writing image descriptions of the images in Dictee, I have tried to preserve the "captionlessness" of the original. The point here is not to explain the pictures—an image description is not identical to a caption—but to make Dictee more accessible to readers who are blind and visually impaired. I realize, of course, that in trying to make Dictee's captionless images more "legible," I have inevitably "mistranslated" Dictee as it was originally designed to be experienced. Its captionlessness is lost in translation despite my efforts to preserve it. …

A Study Of Korean Language For Tourism Subjects Focus On Korean Majors In Bangkok Universities, Kananat Pothinimitr

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research focuses on the curriculum of Korean language for tourism subjects of the Korean major in Bangkok’s universities. The objectives of this research were 1) to show the current status and investigate the problems that obstruct the development of Korean for tourism, and 2) to investigate the requirements of learners and instructors of Korean for tourism of Korean majors in Bangkok’s universities The samples consisted of 170 students and 4 instructors from Srinakharinwirot University, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University and Chulalongkorn University. This research employed a quantitative and qualitative research design. Data were collected …

The Study In Beauty Image As Shown Through Contemporary Korean Webtoons: True Beauty, Manassawan Sermsamran

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objectives of this research were 1) To examine the beauty image portrayed in the webtoon ‘True Beauty’. 2) To study how beauty images presented through ’True Beauty’ shaped perceptions of beauty among viewers. This research was qualitative research by analyzing character dialogues and supporting media including viewer comments, YouTube makeup tutorials, and interviews with the author the study investigates how beauty image are constructed, internalized, and reinforced through digital storytelling. The result found that beauty image which presented in serves as a medium that reflects and reinforces societal beauty image. The characteristics in webtoon had created beauty standard in …

Strategy Analysis Of A Hybrid Japanese-Korean Idol Group, “Jo1” And Its Attempt To Succeed In Korean Music Industry, Pitchaya Taecholarn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research aims to explore the reason behind the formation of the new hybrid, localized version of K-POP and J-POP, JK-POP groups, the term referring to the group with most Japanese members, locally based in Japan, but releasing K-POP-like genre of music produced by Korean production team and occasionally doing promotional activities in South Korea. This article proposes two main research questions: 1) What are the advantages that can be gained from debuting JK-POP groups and are these considered as strong benefits compared to those J-POP or K-POP group without localization strategy? 2) What are the consequences of being stuck …

Buddhist Outdoor Ceremonies And Paintings- A Comparative Exploration Of Korea And The Himalayan Region, Vaishnavi Singh

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This thesis presents a comparative study of large-scale Buddhist paintings Gwaebulhwa in Korea and Thangka/Thongdrol in the Himalayan region focusing on their function, iconography, and socio-cultural context within outdoor ritual practices. The research aims to identify the core ritual functions of these monumental artworks, analyze their iconographic elements, and investigate the economic and institutional structures surrounding their production and use. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates fieldwork, expert interviews, and iconographic analysis, the study reveals that while both traditions fulfill similar ceremonial roles, they diverge significantly in visual style, theological content, and socio-economic frameworks. The findings demonstrate how shared ritual …

Webtoon-Based Transmedia Storytelling And Fan Engagement In The K-Pop Industry: A Case Study Of Enhypen And The Webtoon ‘Dark Moon’, Kay Khine Khin Latt

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines the role of webtoons as a transmedia storytelling tool in enhancing fan engagement within the K-pop industry, with a focus on the collaboration between the K-pop boy band ENHYPEN and the webtoon 'Dark Moon'. By applying Henry Jenkins’ transmedia storytelling principles, the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) theory, and Parasocial Interaction (PSI) theory, this study examines how narrative integration across platforms influences emotional attachment, consumption behavior, and motivational factors in fan engagement. Using the webtoon Dark Moon as a case study, the research employs in-depth interviews with 15 key informants from ENHYPEN’s global fan base, alongside contextualization of …

How K-Pop Influences C-Pop's Market Positioning: A Case On Snh48, Meng Wenhao

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates how K-POP influences the market positioning of C-POP through a detailed case study of the Chinese idol group, SNH48. SNH48 initially adopted the J-POP model from its Japanese counterpart, AKB48, but later transitioned to a K-POP-influenced approach. By analyzing SNH48’s shift from J-POP to K-POP, this research explores the externalization business model employed by Chinese entertainment companies. It delves into how SNH48's market positioning evolved, emphasizing commercial best practices and external collaborations, particularly with South Korean firms. Additionally, the research assesses how political events, such as the 2016 THAAD dispute, influenced these strategic changes. The findings highlight …

A Comparative Study On The Development Paths And Impacts Of Confucian Familism In South Korean And Chinese Society: From The Late 19th Century To The Present, Shuyu Zhang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research conducts a cross-national comparative study on the development trajectories and contemporary manifestations of Confucian familism in China and South Korea. Grounded in the historical roots of filial piety, family collectivism, gender hierarchy, and patriarchy, the research traces how these normative elements have evolved from the late 19th century to the present. Through a multi-dimensional framework integrating institutional, cultural, and practical analysis, this study explores how Confucian ethics continue to shape modern family governance, particularly in areas such as marriage regulation, intergenerational caregiving, and gender roles. Drawing on policy documents, cultural narratives, and secondary data, the study demonstrates that …

An Analysis Of Thailand’S Military Equipment Procurement From South Korea: Opportunities And Challenges, Waranphat Kiranawat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines Thailand's strategic military equipment procurement from South Korea, focusing on two pivotal events: the T-50TH Golden Eagle training aircraft and the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej frigate. The study investigates the key areas of cooperation and challenges of military equipment procurement between Thailand and South Korea. The study collects data from white papers, defensive analysis, and qualitative data from authoritative sources. Then, the study evaluates the application of defense diplomacy and balance of power theory to explore key areas of collaboration, namely defense technology transfer, joint training, and industrial partnerships, while considering the related challenges, including financial constraints, interoperability, …

Influence Of K-Pop On The Behavior Of Indonesian Fans Towards The Korean Basketball League, Abharina Hizwaty

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores the influence of K-pop fan culture on the behavior and engagement of Indonesian fans of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). As K-pop expands globally with its emotionally driven and participatory fandom, similar fan practices are increasingly seen in sports fandom. Based on in-depth interviews with 15 Indonesian KBL fans aged 20 to 32, the study investigates how behaviors such as organizing fan projects, creating fan art, fan videos, fanfiction, and collecting merchandise like photocards are applied to the KBL fandom. Many Indonesian KBL fans discover KBL not through traditional sports media but through entertainment-based content such as …

The Influence Of Korean Reality Shows On Tourism Trends In Southeast Asia: Focusing On Vietnam And Thailand, Hoang Doan Trang Nguyen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores the immediate influence of Korean reality shows, which impact has not been thoroughly studied, on tourism trends in Southeast Asia, specifically in Vietnam and Thailand. The research fills the gap in existing literature by investigating the correlation between media studies and tourism, highlighting the role of screening culture in shaping travel behavior, and proposing strategies for Vietnam and Thailand to take advantage of this phenomenon. Employing a nowcasting methodology, the research analyzes online search interest data from Naver Trends for a period of 30 days before and after the broadcast of selected Korean reality show episodes filmed …

Navigating Culture In School-Based Suicide Prevention: A Study Of Collectivist Values, National Policy, And Help-Seeking Among Seoul’S High School Students, Maria Nikolova Goranova

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

South Korea’s persistently high youth suicide rate presents an urgent public health challenge, particularly among high school students facing extreme academic pressure and deeply rooted cultural expectations. While the South Korean government has introduced various national mental health policies and school-based initiatives, many adolescents remain reluctant to seek help due to stigma, shame, and fears of burdening others—barriers that are intensified by collectivist cultural values. This study examines how suicide prevention programs in Seoul’s high schools align with national policy goals and address cultural factors influencing adolescent help-seeking behaviour. Using a qualitative, document-based approach, the research analyzes government policies, program …

Methodologizing Transnationality: Relational Writing As Collective Inquiry, Sun Young Lee, Minhye Son, Taeyeon Kim, Jin Kyeong Jung, Soo Bin Jang

Department of Educational Administration: Faculty Publications

How can we take transnationality as a space of in-betweenness to generate new possibilities, moving beyond geographically bounded spans between countries? This article presents five authors’ collective inquiry on transnational positionalities, which we practiced through the relational, transformative, and reflective writing of the self in a community space. We staged the collaborative writing into two processes: the emergent process of thematic writing and the relay writing. Interweaving “I” and “we” voices that cannot be captured through categorical thinking, our collaborative quest resists normative identity politics, proposing writing as a method of collective inquiry for the nuanced understanding of the transnationality …