Call for Papers

Book editor

Dr Seryun Lee (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)

From Koreanness to K-ness: Contemporary Korean Language, Culture and Society

The popularity of Korean cultural content, which used to be limited to Asian countries in the past or sporadic fads such as ‘Gangnam Style’ in 2012, has now turned into a cultural phenomenon that attracts global attention. Beginning with the rise of the ‘Korean wave’, i.e. the so-called Hallyu, driven by Korean dramas in the 1990s, followed by the popularity of ‘K-pop’ in the 2000s and then the emergence of ‘K-culture’ as a broader cultural phenomenon from the 2010s onwards, the global appeal of South Korean culture has sparked an interest in various facets of Korean language, culture and society.

These recent changes present a unique opportunity to reassess and reshape our approach to Korean studies, which has historically contributed to the theorisation of ‘Koreanness’ as a strong national identity significantly influenced by Confucian values. Indeed, a multitude of K-words—from the ever-popular domains of ‘K-pop’, ‘K-drama’ and ‘K-food’ to ‘K-jangnyeo [oldest daughter]’, ‘K-jikjangin [office worker]’ and ‘K-sidaek [in-laws]’—reflects the diverse but coherent manifestations of the new Koreanness, which often transcends the boundaries of tradition and history. The evolving landscape of contemporary Korean culture and society invites new perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches.

Against this backdrop, this edited volume aims to conceptualise ‘K-ness’ as a way of understanding the underlying characteristics that shape the semiotic, cultural and sociological representations of contemporary Korean culture and society. By exploring themes, topics and theories linked to ongoing discussions and emerging trends in Korean studies, we seek to illuminate the multidimensional nature of ‘K-ness’. This exploration may provide not only an in-depth understanding of South Korea but also insights into interdisciplinary research on the intersection among the evolution of language, cultural diffusion and the representation of contemporary society.

This edited volume seeks to pave new paths in Korean studies by shedding light on various dimensions of contemporary Korean language, culture and society. We invite researchers from various disciplines, including anthropology, cultural studies, linguistics, media studies and sociology, to contribute to this volume. We particularly welcome innovative and critical approaches. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

·    Korean history represented in the arts

·    The reinterpretation and refashioning of Korean cultural heritage

·    The representation of North Korea in South Korean media

·    The popularity of Korean dramas and films on streaming platforms

·    Korean content and producers in the creative industry

·    K-pop fandom as political and social agents

·    Feminism and the role of women in contemporary Korea

·    LGBTQ+ in Korea

·    Korean soft power

·    Cultural policies and media governance in Korea

·    Neologisms in Korean

·    Changes of honorifics and politeness in the contemporary Korean language

·    Multilingualism and multiculturalism in Korean

·    European responses to Korean contemporary literature

·    Translation from and into Korean

·    Challenges and possibilities in the Korean studies curriculum

Submission instructions

Contributions should be up to 6,000 words (inclusive of references, tables, figures, appendices and endnotes). Contributors must obtain copyright permission, where necessary, prior to publication. Abstracts of 400 words and a brief bio should be submitted through this form by 30 July 2023. Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact me (seryunlee@hufs.ac.kr).

• Abstract submission: 30 July 2023

• Notification of acceptance: 15 September 2023