The K-Wave On-Screen: In Words and Objects

The K-Wave On-Screen provides an engaging and accessible exploration of the meaning of ’K-’ through the lens of words and objects in K-dramas and K-films.

Once a small subculture known only to South Korea’s East Asian neighbours, the Korean Wave has exploded in popularity around the globe in the last decade. Its success has been fuelled by social media and the advanced technological capabilities of South Korea. With #KpopTwitter having amassed 7.8 billion tweets and with K-films receiving acclaim from major award ceremonies, the K-wave is now a global cultural phenomenon. This book touches on globally popular productions, such as Parasite (2019), Squid Game (2021), Pachinko (2022), SKY Castle (2018), and Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019) to highlight that K- has departed from the traditional meaning of ’Korean-ness’ to become a new, globally-informed, and hybrid entity.

This book will be of interest to students in East Asian studies, and those engaged with Korean language learning. The book will also appeal to those interested in Korean culture and media.

Jieun Kiaer is a Young Bin Min-Korea Foundation Professor of Korean Linguistics, and Senior Research Fellow and Dean of Degrees at Hertford College, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford

Emily Lord, MSt., is a Faculty Research Specialist, at the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), University of Maryland

Loli Kim is a Postdoctoral Researcher, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford