K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Beauty, K-Fashion, K-Food, K-Literature—the South Korean cultural phenomenon known as Hallyu or the “Korean Wave” first appeared in the late 1900s and early 2000s and has not only swept across Asia but around the world. How did it emerge? Why does the South Korean government financially support and promote Hallyu? What can we learn from it about “soft power” (attraction rather than coercion)? And why, unlike other, more temporary cultural trends, does it continue to grow internationally? This discussion-based course will examine the general phenomenon of Hallyu, before focusing particularly on K-Literature and briefly on K-Drama. Like K-Drama films, modern K-Literature that is socially and politically critical is often classified as “trauma literature.” Yet we can also think of it as carrying the sub-genre of “healing literature” within it. How do these two seemingly disparate labels compare? How effective are they? We will read two short novels: The Vegetarian by Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature, and the novel Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, and Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum. We will also read excerpts from other books and short stories, and view key episodes of K-Drama Netflix series.
Books to purchase:
Kang, Han. The Vegetarian
Cho, Nam-Joo. Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982
Bo-Reum, Hwang. Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
New Participant: $140.00
Returning Participant: $200.00
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Course leaders: Michelle Andrus, Diane Moreau, and Barbara Smith
First session: September 16 2025
Course length: 12 weeks
Degree credit: 3 credits
Maximum number of participants: 16
Please note that the Thomas More Institute does not allow participants to audit courses for free.
About the Thomas More Institute: The Thomas More Institute has been providing adults with stimulating lifelong learning opportunities in Montreal since 1945. A secular and non-profit academic institution, TMI offers an ever-evolving choice of university-level courses in the liberal arts, including discussion-based courses, lecture-style courses, writing workshops, and more. Our courses are held in small groups, offering an alternative learning environment to that of traditional university courses. You can take individual courses that interest you, or work toward a structured bachelor of arts degree or comprehensive certificate that involve additional coursework. Share Your Curiosity at TMI!
About course fees: all prices displayed include Tuition and the Administrative fee.
Leaders of another course, and anyone else wishing to register by phone, should call (514) 935-9585 to register.
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