Calling all K-drama and K-pop fans!
My completed podcast K-Sarang investigates and analyses the rise of the Hallyu (Korean Wave) in the UAE. My main arguing statement is the fact that in a world driven by western hegemony, surprisingly, an eastern influence is thriving. This is where the soft power of a country comes in as was explained by one of my interviewees. I had the pleasure of speaking to some amazing people: researchers, enthusiasts, fans, Korean club presidents and Koreans of the UAE themselves! K-Sarang is a part of my final year dissertation project for my undergraduate degree in Journalism. I would like you to know that K-Sarang earned me a distinction! I hope you enjoy listening to this series as much as I enjoyed recording it. Let me know what you think!
I made the podcast K-Sarang for my undergraduate research project which investigates and analyzes the rise of the Hallyu (Korean Wave) in the UAE. In the first episode, I spoke to Dr. Chuloh Jung, professor at Ajman University and director of the King Sejong Institute. We discussed topics including Hallyu, the Korean community in Dubai, and why girls tend to gravitate towards K-dramas more than boys.
In Episode 2, I spoke to Donya Saberi who is a researcher and lecturer of social sciences at Middlesex University, Dubai. Donya talks about her wonderful experiences in Seoul, the appealing factors of K-dramas (which lack explicit content and do not look at female characters with the male gaze) and their cultural values. She also mentions that the success of Hallyu is based on the fact that it is South Korea’s soft power. If you didn't guess already, her favourite K-drama is Uncontrollably Fond.
Episode 3 is opened in Korean by the lovely Stacey herself. Stacey Kim who is currently residing in Jeju Island, previously lived in Dubai for a couple of years. She talks about how wonderful life was for her in Dubai, the racism she faced when she was in America, and her perspective on Hallyu and Korean culture. She also discusses South Korean beauty and about coping during the pandemic with good content. Also, Stacey’s favourite Korean actor is Hyun Bin and Reply 1988 is one of her favourite K-dramas.
In Episode 4, I speak to Alyazia Mohsin, who began watching K-dramas way back in 2009 when they aired on the Korean TV Channel on the local UAE satellite dish. Alyazia talks about the similarity of Emirati and Korean cultures and believes that K-dramas gained popularity due to their eclectic content. She also mentions how all of her cousins watch K-dramas in sync with each other. Her favourite dramas are Empress K and Two Weeks. Alyazia relates her experience visiting Seoul and how the Korean people were fascinated by and wanted to click pictures with the big Emirati family visiting their city. Also, she narrates the comical story behind why she doesn’t like Kimchi.
Jimin Han lived in the UAE for around 5 years and has now returned to her home country to pursue her post-graduate studies. She talks about the initial homesickness she felt when in Dubai and how she now feels homesickness for Dubai while she is back home in Korea. She further discusses whether the culture depicted in K-dramas is accurate. She loves spicy food, and her favourite K-drama is Penthouse.
“The Zayed University Korean Club is the bridge between the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.” In Episode 6, I speak with the student president and vice-president Mouza Al Mazrouei and Mouza Al Zaabi. The girls tell me how Korean people hold on to their Korean cultures and compare their Emirati culture. For example, the girls notice that the cabbage in Malfouf tastes similar to the cabbage used in Kimchi. Explaining the relationship between South Korea and UAE, Mouza Al Zaabi states that the Korean Club at ZU dates back to 2008. Furthermore, the head of the Korean Club at Zayed University is HE Noura Al Kaabi, who overlooks cultural programs between the two countries and is a staunch advocate of women empowerment. Also, Mouza Al Mazrouei has met BTS in person (!) and says that they are much prettier and taller in real life.
In the final episode of K-Sarang, I speak to Rimsha Fathima, the Coordinator of the K-Pop and Anime Club at Middlesex University, Dubai. Rimsha narrates her first memory of Korean culture which was in Global Village and how she learnt Psy’s Gangnam style dance when it became viral. Rimsha tells me her views on the Hallyu and the cause for its spike in the MENA region. She also relates the delicious Korean food she cooks: Ramen and Tteok-bokki. Rimsha speaks a good amount of Korean and she tells me about how a Korean family she met an exhibition was impressed with her grasp of the language. (Also, if you hear noise in the background, I apologize, it was cleaning day at my house)