Flexner Symposium: Role of K-Drama in Collective Self-Care, Resilience, and Hope
Part of the Flexner Lectureship Series
- 9:00 am – 9:30 am: Coffee available
- 9:30 am – 11:30 am: The Role of K-Drama in Collective Self-Care, Resilience and Hope
- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Light Korean food and refreshments
Continuing to gain popularity from viewers backed by rising online streaming platforms, Korean Drama, also known as K-Drama, is now profoundly situated in the daily lives of global people. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Asians, including Korean immigrants, became targets of racially motivated crimes in the United States. In this symposium, two faculties from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College will explore how K-Drama is situated among Korean immigrants living in the United States. Given the global popularity of K-drama and the increasing racism against Asians, this symposium aims to raise awareness of the role of K-drama among Korean immigrants. Three Korean immigrants from different backgrounds will share their reflections on the 2023 world-hit K-drama "Glory," discussing how it helped them recognize their individual and collective identities, practice self-care, build resilience, and maintain hope.
A video from The Glory (season one) will be presented during the symposium to follow the story of the main character, Dongeun. The symposium will center on the intersection of Korean cultural values (such as collectivism and familism), socio-economic status (including the polarization of wealth and poverty), and social norms (such as taboo in seeking help and gender inequality), which will be analyzed by watching a K-drama video. The symposium will feature Dr. Mindy Fullilove as a discussant and three panelists with Korean backgrounds who will share how K-Drama has impacted their lives. Co-facilitators will be Isabel Sangeun Lee, Ph.D. candidate and adjunct faculty, and, both social work researchers at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research.
Symposium organizers:
- Dr. Tamarah Moss (Assistant Professor)
Isabel Sangeun Lee (Ph.D. Candidate and Adjunct Faculty)
Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College (BMC)
Discussant:
- Dr. Mindy Fullilove
Panelists:
- Ms. Dahae Kim
- Ms. Eunah Ko
- Ms. Melissa Gelwicks
Special Guests:
- Dean Janet Shapiro, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College
- Ms. Sharon Hartz: former President of Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia (KAAGP)
Questions? Contact Tamarah Moss (tmoss@brynmawr.edu) and Isabel Lee (slee22@brynmawr.edu).
Bryn Mawr College welcomes the full participation of all individuals in all aspects of campus life. Should you wish to request a disability-related accommodation for this event, please contact the event sponsor/coordinator. Requests should be made as early as possible.