[Commlist] CFP | Contemporary Korean Language, Culture and Society

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

Call for papers for an edited volume

*_Deadline for abstracts: 30 July 2023_*

*Book editors*

Dr Seryun Lee (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)

Dr Youkyung Ju-Zaveroni (SOAS University of London)

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 
<https://streaklinks.com/Bix66-aDw7RZbZjVmQ1WgRNW/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2FPt3E8QRZ43deFzsAA>by 
30 July 2023. Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact 
us ((seryunlee /at/ hufs.ac.kr) <mailto:(seryunlee /at/ hufs.ac.kr)> and 
(yj7 /at/ soas.ac.uk) <mailto:(yj7 /at/ soas.ac.uk)>).

  * Abstract submission: 30 July 2023
  * Notification of acceptance: 15 September 2023
  * Tentative publisher: Routledge

https://sites.google.com/view/knesscfp 
<https://sites.google.com/view/knesscfp>


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