Colorado Journal of Asian Studies

The Implications of Queer Representation in Contemporary South Korean TV Narratives

2024-01-03T00:09:20-07:00

Existing scholarly works on the topic of queer representation in South Korean media focus primarily on Korean cinema and K-pop, but there are far fewer studies on queer or queer-coded portrayals in Korean TV media. Queer characters and relationships are gradually becoming more visible in mainstream South Korean TV with some examples being Semantic Error which centers on the romantic relationship between two men and Nevertheless which depicts the feelings of friendship between two women turn clearly romantic. Considering the significant rise in popularity of Korean TV dramas not only in Asia but also in western society, where audiences are more conscious of queer narratives, the realm of queer representation in Korean TV definitely warrants more scholarly attention. I aim to contribute to the conversation about depictions of queerness in Korean media by analyzing the representation of queer characters in 2021 TV drama Work Later, Drink Now, specifically the queer subtext of Jigoo and Jiyeon’s relationship, and how this story reveals South Korean perceptions of queer experiences by matching and/or distinguishing itself from the tragic narratives that queer characters are often depicted in Korean TV dramas. I will also analyze the reception of this show by South Korean society in relation to queer identity based on its references in Korean pop culture and online fan discussions. I argue that the writer of Work Later, Drink Now intended to provide commentary not only on the situation of women in contemporary South Korean society, but she also pushed an underlying queer narrative, aiming to shed light on the reality of being, specifically, a queer woman in South Korea.

What does it mean to be 'Taiwanese'?

2024-03-15T18:42:56-07:00

In May and June of 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan through a CU Boulder Global Seminar program. The program was generously funded by the Tang Foundation. The seminar, titled “Memory Politics in Taiwan”, explored how the built environment in Taiwan creates and sustains narratives surrounding Taiwan’s history and continues to shape Taiwanese identity and politics. At the end of the course, we were asked to compile a photo essay answering the question “What does it mean to be ‘Taiwanese’?” The following is my response to that prompt, accompanied by images taken during our three-week journey.

Taiwan: Plurality on a Changing Island

2024-03-15T18:39:13-07:00

The following essay was written as my culminating project for a three-week intensive course in Taipei, Taiwan, taught by Dr. Lauren Collins in summer 2023. As someone who is deeply fascinated by how collective identities are (re)constructed, and for whom visiting this picturesque island was a long-term dream, this global seminar (titled Memory & the Politics of Heritage in Taiwan) was the perfect opportunity. I owe many thanks to the Tang Fund, whose generous scholarship made my participation on the program possible. The essay itself is based on the prompt “What does it mean to be Taiwanese?”, investigated by analyzing photos of interest that I collected over the program’s duration.

The Origin and Evolution of the Paired Animals on Chinese Swords

2024-07-23T22:25:05-07:00

This article explores the historical evolution of paired animal motifs on Chinese swords, highlighting their transformation from symbols of wealth to emblems of royal power. Originating from Persian textile designs, these motifs entered Chinese culture during the sixth and seventh centuries through Sino-West Asian cultural exchanges. Initially, these motifs reflected exotic tastes and wealth among the Chinese elite. However, with the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty, these motifs were recontextualized as symbols of royal authority. The study traces this cultural journey, examining how Persian artistic traditions were adapted and institutionalized within Chinese imperial iconography, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Through a detailed analysis of swords and textiles, the paper illustrates the continuity and transformation of these motifs, emphasizing their significance in reflecting broader cultural and political shifts in ancient China.

No Longer ‘Traitors’ in a Country We Once Saved

2024-07-24T11:53:38-07:00

This paper analyzes the impact of the National Lao-Hmong Memorial in Colorado on the political identity of the Lao-Hmong community in the United States. The study highlights how the Memorial aims to correct historical inaccuracies, preserve the cultural heritage of the Lao-Hmong, and promote collaboration between the Lao-Hmong community and Americans. Through interviews and primary research, the paper explores the significance of grassroots heritage-building in challenging top-down narratives and advocating for political recognition and equality for the Lao-Hmong community. The Memorial is positioned as a catalyst for improving the Lao-Hmong's social and political standing in the U.S., emphasizing inclusivity, historical truth, and collaborative engagement.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Impacts of the Cultural Revolution on Childhood Trauma

2024-07-11T12:44:34-07:00

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) was a tumultuous period in Chinese history that had profound and lasting impacts on the country's youth. This paper conducts a retrospective analysis of the Cultural Revolution's impact on childhood trauma through oral histories and interviews with individuals who experienced this era firsthand. By examining the cultural, political, historical, social, and economic contexts of China during and after the Cultural Revolution, the study explores the methods through which young people were exposed to traumatic events and the long-term psychological effects these experiences had on them. The analysis employs the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria to assess the presence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the interviewees. Findings reveal that many individuals experienced significant trauma, characterized by direct exposure to violence, witnessing traumatic events, and enduring the long-term consequences of these experiences. This study underscores the importance of understanding the deep-seated emotional and psychological scars left by the Cultural Revolution and the need for further research to comprehend the full extent of its impact on subsequent generations.

The Colonial Era and Beyond

2024-04-02T19:22:42-07:00

This paper explores the historical and cultural evolution of Korean music from the Japanese colonial period to the contemporary K-pop industry. It examines the impact of Japanese colonial policies on Korean cultural identity and how traditional Korean music served as a form of resistance. Following liberation, American influences significantly shaped the Korean music scene, leading to the emergence of K-pop. The paper discusses the role of early K-pop groups and solo acts, including their strategic entry into the Japanese market. It also highlights the political and economic tensions between Korea and Japan, exemplified by controversies involving K-pop idols. The study underscores the intertwined nature of politics, culture, and history in shaping the global success of K-pop, while also reflecting on the enduring effects of colonialism and international relations on Korean popular music.

Commodifying Data: Analyzing Legal Regulations on Foreign Digital Payment Systems A Comparative Analysis Between the United States and the People’s Republic of China

2024-03-15T18:33:17-07:00

This paper provides a comprehensive study on the intersection of digital payment platforms, particularly those originating from the People's Republic of China (PRC), such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, with the legal frameworks for data privacy in the United States. The research investigates whether the data collection policies of these Chinese digital payment systems comply with or violate existing U.S. laws designed to protect personal data. Given the rapid global expansion of these platforms and their necessity for facilitating modern economic activities, the paper emphasizes the significant trade-off users face by surrendering personal data to access digital payment services. This surrender of data, equated to a "pay-to-play" system, raises critical questions about the adequacy of current legal protections for users' data privacy in the U.S. This inquiry is crucial in understanding the broader implications of the global rise of digital payment platforms on privacy and consumer protection laws, particularly as these platforms become increasingly integrated into the international market. The paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on digital privacy and the need for modernized legal frameworks to address the challenges posed by the digital economy's global nature.

Numbers

2023-12-11T11:59:13-07:00

Prior to October 2023, I knew embarassingly little about the ongoing occupation of Palestine, and it wasn't until I reconnected with a childhood friend that I started to really pay attention to what had been happening following the October 7th attack. I knew of Israel's military capacity and the seemingly limitless support by the United States, but it wasn't until I began to follow grassroot media and civilians in Gaza that I understood the true extent of the conflict. Each day since, I've been struggling to comprehend why the my community and my country as a whole seems to remain largely unaffected. I've struggled with understanding why I can scroll through videos of homes reduced to rubble, testaments to history ---libraries, mosques, etc.--- reduced to ash, and dead children, only to find clips of Taylor Swift and Travic Kelce or edits of the new Hunger Games movie sprinkled in between. The kind of nonchalence and willful ignorance I've seen from strangers and loved ones has been such a surreal thing to experience. I've been writing a lot of poetry to cope with it, and this was one of those poems.