The 'Korean Wave' in Southeast Asia: Consumption & Cultural Production

The ‘Korean Wave’ (or ‘Hallyu’) - defined as the international spread of South Korean popular culture (including films, television dramas, games, stars, and music) since the late 1990s – is one of the most important cultural phenomena of recent years. However, studies on its overseas significance have to date concentrated almost exclusively on its reception in East Asian markets such as Japan, China and Taiwan as well as in North America.

This symposium aims to stimulate research into the ongoing legacy of the ‘Korean Wave’ in Southeast Asia. It will bring together academics and practitioners from a range of Southeast Asian countries and provide space to move discussion of the inter-Asian circulation of Korean popular culture beyond reception and on to the level of cultural production. The language of the conference is English.

Keynote speakers:

• Professor Chua Beng Huat (Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore)
• Dr. Julian Stringer (University of Nottingham, UK)
• Dr. Ubonrat Siriyuvasak (Bangkok)
• Dr. Katarzyna Ancuta (Assumption University, Bangkok)

This is a free symposium organised by the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, the Centre for Contemporary East-Asian Cultural Studies  and the Centre for Advanced Studies for the Arts and Social Sciences.

RSVP to Mary.Ainslie@nottingham.ed.my by December 28th to confirm attendance and receive the full timetable.

The symposium will be held on Thursday 10th January 2013 at the Royal Commonwealth Society of Malaysia (No. 4 Jalan Birah, 50490 Kuala Lumpur). Registration will commence at 8:30am, the symposium will include free coffee and tea as well as a buffet lunch.

There will also be a screening on the evening of January 9th (please contact the convenor for details).