With the Korean Institute Graduate Summer Language Study Grant, I attended Sogang University’s Korean Immersion Program (KIP) from June 27 to July 22, 2022. Sogang KIP is a very vibrant program that focuses on improving students’ Korean speaking skills through language training and cultural immersion. There was not a single day that went uneventful. On weekdays, we had language class from 9AM to 1PM then culture class from 2.30PM onwards. Language class covered pragmatic topics, such as how to find a place to live in Seoul, how to compliment other people’s place at a housewarming party, and what to tell the landlord when something is not working. Culture class included a wide range of activities, from traditional seal carving to K-pop dancing. I had never tried K-pop dancing before and the song the teacher chose was quite difficult for beginners (“Fearless” by Les Sserafim), but the three-day dancing camp was so much fun that I decided to continue to learn K-pop dancing in Boston area. It also motivated me to read more academic monographs on the topic of the rise of K-pop, thinking of questions such as how K-pop dancing became its own genre and what role it plays in South Korea’s national branding.
I was able to make many new friends through Sogang KIP, and during the weekends we usually traveled together to explore places outside Seoul. During those travels, we had a lot of interesting discussions on topics from cultural belongings to racism and patriarchy. For example, at Lotte World, some friends wanted to rent Korean school uniforms and dress up as high schoolers while going on rides. While this seems to be a popular practice in Korea, some other friends felt uncomfortable about the idea of dressing up as a high school girl and subjecting oneself to male gaze. This triggered a discussion about the standard of beauty and the privilege of youth for women in Korea and in East Asia in general. Also, some of us took the KTX train to visit Busan. It was such a lovely trip, and we enjoyed the views and the food thoroughly. I would definitely visit Busan again next time I visit Korea, and by continuing to take Korean courses at Harvard, I hope to explore more places in the countryside during my next visit.