The 33rd Annual Hahn Moo-Sook Colloquium in the Korean Humanities

Friday, October 24, 2025

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Hybrid Event

ESIA Lindner Family Commons, Room 602 (6th Floor) 

Elliott School of International Affairs 

1957 E ST NW, Washington DC

 Virtual via Zoom

Event Description

The rise of K-dramas as a global streaming phenomenon has transformed the politics of entertainment--bridging cultural divides and fostering cross-cultural exchanges. This colloquium explores the transcultural dimensions of K-dramas, focusing on how they present, represent, and translate various cultures, peoples, and languages across diverse streaming platforms (i.e. Netflix, Hulu, and podcasts). Our presenters will examine the evolution of narrative techniques, global circulation of emotions, history of consumerism and product placement, homosocial eroticism, and the impact of these dramas on global audiences. By situating K-dramas within the broader framework of transcultural communication, this year's colloquium underscores their significance in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in an increasingly interconnected world, ultimately aiming to contribute to the discourse on global media, cultural identity, and the evolving nature of storytelling in the digital age.

Background

The Hahn Moo-Sook Colloquium in the Korean Humanities series at the George Washington University provides a forum for academic discussion of Korean arts, history, language, literature, thought and religious systems in the context of East Asia and the world. The colloquium series is made possible by an endowment established by the estate of Hahn Moo-Sook (1918-1993), one of Korea’s most honored writers, to uphold her spirit of openness, curiosity, and commitment to education.