2026 Global K-Culture Conference

August 20 (Thu.) ~ August 22 (Sat.), 2026 (3 days)

Chungbuk National University, Korea

Korean, English, or the presenter’s preferred language

Deadline for submissions: May 31, 2026

The Department of Global K-Culture at Chungbuk National University is pleased to invite submissions for the upcoming Global K-Culture Conference, aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue and the exchange of ideas among instructors and researchers working across diverse educational and cultural contexts.

 We welcome presentations that explore the transnational circulation of Korean popular culture and its sociocultural, political, and economic implications. In particular, we encourage inquiries into how various forms of K-Culture—such as K-pop, K-dramas, film, food, fashion, webtoons, and beauty trends—are received, adapted, and reimagined across different global settings.

 Each presenter will have 20 minutes to deliver their presentation (in Korean, English, or other languages), followed by a brief Q&A session.

Suggested Topics Include (but are not limited to) the following questions:

 What teaching strategies have proven effective in Korean language or K-Culture classrooms?

 How can K-Culture materials (music, film, drama, social media, web content) be effectively incorporated into teaching practices?

 How is Korean culture received, consumed, and valued in specific national or regional contexts?

 How does K-Culture circulate across borders, and through what channels and networks?

 In what ways is K-Culture localized, hybridized, or reinterpreted in different cultural contexts?

 How do translation practices (linguistic, audiovisual, cultural) shape the global life of Korean content?

 What forms of cultural negotiation emerge between global K-Culture and local traditions?

 What identities (gendered, racial, national, transnational) are constructed, negotiated, or contested through K-Culture?

 In what ways does K-Culture function as soft power, cultural diplomacy, or cultural capital?

 How can academic institutions respond to the growing public and global interest in K-Culture?

 How do streaming platforms, social media, and algorithmic systems influence the production and distribution of K-Culture?

 What is the role of fandom, influencers, and online communities in shaping global K-Culture?

 What are the implications of digital circulation for authenticity, ownership, and cultural sustainability?

 How do government policies and cultural institutions contribute to the promotion of K-Culture?

 How do issues of labor, commercialization, and intellectual property emerge within K-Culture industries?

◈ Submission Guidelines:

• Abstract length: 250 words

• Language of presentation: Korean, English, or the presenter’s preferred language

▷ The conference will utilize an AI-powered translation system (supporting up to 165 languages) to provide real-time translation into Korean and English, allowing presenters to deliver their papers in their own language. Participants (audiences) will also be able to select subtitles in their preferred language on their mobile devices.

• Submission deadline: May 31 (Sunday), 2026

• Notification of acceptance: June 5, 2026

All scholars from overseas are provided with “room & board” during the conference days (3 days) and transportation to Seoul after the conference. No conference fee. Please submit proposals and bios through the link listed here:

Submission Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC7iGTw-RCfud7ThIW2mk81QwzUHuCWyR6yGj17Pa0tr6vlQ/viewform

Department website: https://kculture.chungbuk.ac.kr/

•  Contact: Gi Taek Ryoo, Conference Chair: gtryoo@chungbuk.ac.kr