K-Drama School

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.

Grace Jung is an internationally touring stand-up comedian, writer, scholar, filmmaker, and actor who is in season 4 of The Joe Schmo Show on TBS. Grace is also a former Fulbright scholar with a PhD in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her academic articles are published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. She is the author of Deli Ideology published by Thought Catalog Books and a recipient of the Academy of American Poets Prize at Pace University. Grace lives in Los Angeles where she hosts her podcast K-Drama School. Follow her on Instagram @gracejungcomedy and @kdramaschool.  

Shows Mentioned in K-Drama SchoolSKY CastleCrash Course in RomanceThe GlorySummer StrikeJuvenile JusticeTwenty-Five Twenty-OneProducerWorlds WithinKingdomArthal ChroniclesSquid GameDPReply 1994Reply 1988Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?My Liberation NotesDivorce Attorney ShinQueenmakerOur BluesFresh Off the BoatAll American GirlThe Son-in-LawBeefFashion KingNow, We Are Breaking UpVincenzoRun OnDescendants of the SunSomething in the RainOne Spring NightComedy Big LeagueAvengers Social ClubAsphalt ManStar in My HeartInto the SunlightFirst LoveLA ArirangThree Guys and Three GirlsAll About EveHur JunAutumn in My HeartSuccessful Story of a Bright GirlPachinkoWinter SonataStar in My HeartTill the End of the WorldBeautiful DaysAll InI’m Sorry, I Love YouWhat Happened in BaliFull HouseMy PrincessThat Winter, the Wind Blows Guardian: The Lonely and Great God My MisterIt’s Okay to Not Be OkayItaewon ClassStairway to HeavenThirty-NineSandglassGoodbye My LovePenthouse: War in LifeIncomplete LifeOh! My VenusShe Was PrettySearch WWWTemptation of WifeWorld of the MarriedInfinite ChallengeFirst Wives’ ClubYou Are My DestinyThree BrothersAssorted GemsHearts of Destiny Reborn RichMiss KoreaEverybody Say KimchiThe Lady in DignityWelcome to WaikikiHappy SistersFrog HusbandAnnyŏngDadMiss MermaidLotus Flower FairyDear HeavenHappy TogetherDinner MateExtraordinary Attorney WooThat Winter the Wind BlowsIt’s Okay, That’s LoveDear My FriendsEuphoria