Why Korean Studies?

South Korea is taking the world by storm. Ever since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” music video began breaking YouTube records over a decade ago, the popularity of South Korean music, movies, dramas, food, and other cultural products has skyrocketed. South Korean pop groups like Blackpink and BTS are now household names, and South Korean products like Samsung smartphones and Hyundai cars can be found in every country on earth.

But everyone knows that.

While many have a Galaxy phone or drive a Hyundai car, what few know is where companies like Samsung and Hyundai come from and where are they going. Few know how South Korea grew from one of the world’s poorest countries into one of the richest. And despite millions of fans, few appreciate how has South Korean pop culture has gone from unknown to omnipresent in such a short period of time. Being able to answer these questions means you can move beyond just being a fan of Korean culture and towards building a career in this growing field.

 

Majoring in Korean Studies at Dankook University can help.

Students majoring in Korean Studies at Dankook University spend their first year immersed in the Korean language. By the end of their first year, you’ll be conversational in Korean, and over the course of the following semesters you’ll continue to improve.

In their second year, students majoring in Korean Studies begin to study the basics: the history of the Korean Peninsula, issues in Korean contemporary society, introductions to traditional and modern K-Culture. You’ll also advance yourself in a variety of fields as part of a comprehensive liberal arts education.

 

In the third and fourth years, students majoring in Korean Studies begin to dive more deeply into the subjects that interest them. Take courses on Korean cinema, literature, fashion, and other creative industries if you find your interest in Korean culture deepening. Take classes on Korean politics, North Korea, and human rights if you wish to pursue a career in government or the media. You can tailor the program to your interests to set yourself up for a career you want.