From Koreanness to K-ness
Contemporary Korean Culture and Society
1st Edition
Published on 24. April 2026
278 pages
978-1-040-55376-3 (ISBN)
Description
From Koreanness to K-ness: Contemporary Korean Culture and Society aims to conceptualise 'K-ness' as a new way of understanding the underlying characteristics that shape the semiotic, cultural, and sociological representations of contemporary Korean culture and society.
The global popularity of Korean cultural content has sparked extensive interest in various facets of the Korean language, culture, and society. These recent changes present a unique opportunity to reassess and reshape our approach to the theorisation of 'Koreanness' as a strong national identity significantly influenced by Confucian values, patriarchy and patriotism. Indeed, a multitude of K-words - including the ever-popular domains of 'K-pop', 'K-drama' and 'K-food' - reflect the diverse but coherent manifestations of the new Koreanness, which often transcends the boundaries of tradition and history.
In this interdisciplinary edited volume, the contributors provide fresh insights into the new Koreanness that has been reshaped by the current international popularity of Korean popular culture, the emergence of new media, and the cross-cultural encounters in the more globalised environment. By exploring themes, topics and theories linked to ongoing discussions and emerging trends, this book illuminates the multidimensional nature of 'K-ness'.
The global popularity of Korean cultural content has sparked extensive interest in various facets of the Korean language, culture, and society. These recent changes present a unique opportunity to reassess and reshape our approach to the theorisation of 'Koreanness' as a strong national identity significantly influenced by Confucian values, patriarchy and patriotism. Indeed, a multitude of K-words - including the ever-popular domains of 'K-pop', 'K-drama' and 'K-food' - reflect the diverse but coherent manifestations of the new Koreanness, which often transcends the boundaries of tradition and history.
In this interdisciplinary edited volume, the contributors provide fresh insights into the new Koreanness that has been reshaped by the current international popularity of Korean popular culture, the emergence of new media, and the cross-cultural encounters in the more globalised environment. By exploring themes, topics and theories linked to ongoing discussions and emerging trends, this book illuminates the multidimensional nature of 'K-ness'.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
8 Tables, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
File size
114,94 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-55376-3 (9781040553763)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€230.27
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€52.50
Available immediately
Person
Seryun Lee is a Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of Sydney, Australia. Prior to joining Sydney, she held positions at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and the University of Queensland. She holds a PhD in Translation and Intercultural Studies from the University of Manchester. Her research interests centre on Korean culture and society, Korean language and translation, online communication, and contemporary screen culture. She is the author of 'Affect Theory and Translation on YouTube' (Edinburgh University Press), and her work has been published in a number of international peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Cultural Studies, Social Media + Society, M/C Journal, and Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies.
Content
Part 1: Emerging Trends 1. The Rise of the Korean Short Story Cycle Yeonjak Soseol as K-Literature 2. From Korean Identity to K-identity: Interpreting K-ness in Global Hallyu Exhibitions 3. Korean Cultural Identity in Contemporary Performance 4. Reinterpreting and Representing Korean History and Historical Culture in Television Drama Part 2: Korean Affects 5. The Rise of Intimacy Experts in Korean Popular Culture and the Commercialization of Discourses of Healing and Happiness: Analyzing the "Nation's Mentor" Dr. Eun-Young Oh and Related Media Cases 6. Is K-ness Korean-ness? BTS' challenge to Hegemonic Masculinity in Korea Part 3: Crafting Koreanness: Policies and Cultural Diplomacy 7. Korean Wave and Public Policy: Examining State's Role in the Transnational Cultural Phenomenon 8. Who is Korean?: (Re)imaging Korean Identity by the Overseas Koreans Foundation Part 4: The Shaping of New Koreanness from Cross-Cultural Perspectives 9. How Korean is Korean Literature in Spain? Longitudinal Research on Availability and Presentation of Korean Literature in Translation 10. Transculturing the Nine-Tailed Fox: How the SCP Wiki Globalises Korean Folklore 11. From Consumers to Cultural Ambassadors: Exploring Sydney-Based K-Pop Cover Dancers' Influence on Local Korean Wave Engagement 12. Translingual Trinkets of the Korean Wave: Deconstructing the Transnational Power of the Hybridity in K-Objects Part 5: The Disruptive Potential of Korean Culture 13. Kim Eui-sung in Hong Kong's Anti-ELAB Movement: Transnational Celebrity Activism and South Korean Soft Power 14. Transnational K-Pop Fandom and Global Citizenship 15. K-pop Fandom Political Activism: Mobilizing Transnational Fan Communities for Social Change
