From the Emmy Award-winning Squid Game to streaming sensations like The Glory and Crash Landing on You, Korean television has emerged onto the global pop culture scene as compelling television—but what exactly makes these shows so irresistibly bingeable? And what can we learn about our societies and ourselves from watching them? From stand-up comedian and media studies PhD Grace Jung comes a rollicking deep dive into the cultural significance of Korean television. K-Drama School analyzes everything from common tropes like amnesia and slapping to conspicuous product placements of Subway sandwiches and coffee; to representations of disability, race and gender; to what Korea's war-torn history says about South Korea’s media output and the stories being told on screen. With chapters organized by "lessons," each one inquiring into a different theme of Korean television, K-Drama School offers a groundbreaking exploration into this singular form of entertainment, from an author who writes with humor and heart about shows that spur tears and laughter, keeping us glued to the TV while making fans of us all. Shows discussed include: Squid Game, SKY Castle, Crash Course in Romance, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, My Mister, Something in the Rain, One Spring Night, DP, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Autumn in My Heart, Winter Sonata, Our Blues, and more.

In this debut novel from author Grace Jung, questions of race, identity, and history are constantly challenged and examined through the eyes of a 23-year-old Korean-American woman navigating the unpredictable landscapes of New York City and Seoul. LJ has just returned from a year-long residency in Seoul with a manuscript of translated Korean short fiction that publishers have all turned down. To get by in the city, she juggles two jobs-a copyeditor 5 days a week, and on the weekends, a cashier at a deli in Midtown, where patrons challenge and objectify her based on her looks as an Asian woman. While dealing with pressures to make a decision between her career path and her goal as a writer in an economically depressed state, she makes mental escapes back to her past life in Seoul and the times she spent with Daniel. These memories offer up cues to her self-discovery as an artist, regardless of her background and what lies before her. By simply recognizing herself as a writer, she realizes that alone is a stable basis for her to continue forward; LJ doesn't feel so oppressed by her future anymore-in fact, she feels liberated.

Korean dramas gained popularity across Asia in the late 1990s, and their global fandom continues to grow. Despite cultural differences, non-Asian audiences find "K-dramas" appealing. They range from historical melodrama and romantic comedy to action, horror, sci-fi and thriller. Devotees pursue an immersive fandom, consuming Korean food, fashion and music, learning Korean to better understand their favorite shows, and travelling to Korea for firsthand experiences. This collection of new essays focuses on the cultural impact of K-drama and its fandom, and on the transformation of identities in the context of regional and global dynamics. Contributors discuss such popular series as Boys over Flowers, My Love from the Star and Descendants of the Sun.

"Welcome to Memorial Middle School, where drama fills the classrooms and follows students home on the bus. Social awkwardness. Mean girls. Hallway gossip. It's all part of life in junior high, but maybe it helps to know you aren't alone. Can Lucia avoid the boy-girl party? Will Kamilla overcome her self-consciousness and try out for the play? Can Allie keep anyone from finding out her secret? Told in graphic format, Junior High Drama shows that while you can't escape the drama, you can certainly survive it."--Publisher's description.

This book, the third volume in the K-Culture series intended to promote contemporary Korean culture overseas, introduces foreign audiences to Korean dramas. K-Drama and Hallyu K-Drama: The Beginning of Hallyu K-Drama Reaches into Asia and Beyond Why K-Drama? The Appeal of K-Drama Foreign Media Respond to K-Drama History of K-Drama 1960s: The Age of Enlightenment 1970s: Entering the Era of True Entertainment 1980s: Portraits of a Modern Korea 1990s: More Ideas, Better Results 2000s to the Present: K-Drama Goes Global Top K-Dramas and Stars Top 10 K-Dramas Top K-Drama Stars From Little Acorns

Packed full of drama games, ideas and suggestions, Drama Menu is a unique new resource for drama teachers.

Summer has been working at her dad's restaurant as a chef since her mom's demise. Enduring her step mom's verbal abuse and unthankful dad seemed to be the only thing each day brought. One day, she sees a man at her deceased mom's old house, and he strangely magnetizes her mind since then. But on the same day, her stepmom stomps out of their restaurant, her boyfriend sends her a breakup text, and her dad fires her. If there was any good news, it was that she had time, a few cash, and her mom's old photo. Yet, the Korean address at the back of the picture that she came across seemed to mean something. Summer hopes that a trip to Korea would uncover her mom's past, but she never expected to see the mysterious man who was at her mother's house on the other side of the world. The title includes the unfamiliar words, 'Korean Drama'; however, it is just the background for a love story that transcends culture, language, and other incredible obstacles.