USCB Holds Inaugural Korean Cultural Studies Conference
The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) hosted its first Korean Cultural Studies Conference on Oct. 25, attracting educators, students, and community members curious about the impact of South Korean culture on the South Carolina Lowcountry and Coastal Georgia. Held at USCB’s Hilton Head Island campus, the conference offered a full day of presentations, discussions, and cultural activities. This educational conference was the culmination of USCB's Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad grant to Korea, which took university faculty, staff and education students and high school teachers to Seoul and Busan this summer.
Against a backdrop of economic and cultural shifts, largely influenced by Hyundai’s new multi-billion-dollar automotive complex near Savannah, Georgia, the conference was timely. Its goal was to encourage a smooth transition for employees of Hyundai Motors and the more than 15 Korean supplier companies that form the largest economic development project in Georgia's history.
“Our region is undergoing a transformative moment,” said conference director Dr. Babet Villena-Alvarez, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Director of USCB International Programs. “As South Korean companies establish roots here, understanding Korean culture and its global impact is vital for the community.”
The event opened with a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Dr. Byeonggu Kang, Minister Counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, DC and Bruce Kim, CEO of HL Mando USA. Hyundai representatives from Seoul Jin Cha, Vice President, and Sean Carson, Global Public Relations Manager, sent a presentation and educational materials explaining the depth and breadth of the company’s investment in Georgia, where the first electric vehicles rolled off the production line last month. All the speakers emphasized the increasing ties between South Korea and the Southeastern United States, highlighting cultural, economic, and educational connections.
The afternoon was full of presentations by members of USCB’s SKALE (South Korean and Asian Literacy Education) Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad. This past summer, 15 educators and students participated in a four-week immersion program in South Korea sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. They reflected on their experiences during their presentations at the conference.
Dr. Cindy Lahar’s presentation, “Exploring Nunchi: How to Read a Room,” introduced attendees to the Korean concept of emotional intelligence and interpersonal awareness, known as nunchi.
Dr. Greg Choy of the University of California, Berkeley, who served as the project’s scholar escort, discussed Korean literature. He celebrated South Korean novelist Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in literature.
Cory Neal, Program Director from the U.S. Department of Education, contributed insights on the SKALE program’s outcomes and described the many international educational opportunities offered by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
At midday, attendees could attend a bibimbap cooking class led by USCB’s Senior Director of Communications Carol Weir. This hands-on experience allowed guests to create and taste their own bibimbap, a classic Korean rice dish, enhancing their cultural appreciation.
The conference continued in the afternoon with concurrent sessions covering topics from Korean politics and traditional arts to communication trends. Dr. Caroline Sawyer led a discussion on “Communications & Media in South Korea,” addressing the rise of Korean pop culture, including K-dramas and K-pop, which have captivated audiences in the United States and worldwide.
Other presentations included insights into South Korea’s historical journey from the Korean War to its position as a global economic powerhouse, as well as the unique aesthetic of Korean pottery. Sharon Butler, a teacher at Richmond Hill High School, described her experiences studying the Korean language in Seoul, and USCB Psychology department faculty member Dr. Kyle Messick took the audience on an immersive journey into the heavy metal music scene in Korea.
The other SKALE presenters were Evan Calabrese, Amber Crews, Celeste Cruz-Reyes, Roman Czerwinski-Haro, Elizabeth Rodgers Clarke, Angela Nadeau, Mary Katherin Schramm and Beth Schlieger.
In the final keynote session, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Hyungwon Kang "HK" presented “Visual History of Korea.” HKs talk offered a captivating journey through Korean history and culture, capturing pivotal moments and scenes of daily life through his lens. He also discussed the Korean perspective on U.S. politics.
The conference concluded with HK hosting a book signing, providing a personal connection with attendees eager to learn more about Korean history.
The Korean Cultural Studies Conference demonstrated USCB’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and equipping students and the community with insights into the growing influence of South Korea in the region and beyond.
- USCB -
CW 11/5/2024