From Koreanness to K-ness: Contemporary Korean Culture and Society aims to conceptualise ‘K-ness’ as a new way of understanding the underlying characteristics that shape the semiotic, cultural, and sociological representations of contemporary Korean culture and society.

The global popularity of Korean cultural content has sparked extensive interest in various facets of the Korean language, culture, and society. These recent changes present a unique opportunity to reassess and reshape our approach to the theorisation of ‘Koreanness’ as a strong national identity significantly influenced by Confucian values, patriarchy and patriotism. Indeed, a multitude of K-words – including the ever-popular domains of ‘K-pop’, ‘K-drama’ and ‘K-food’ – reflect the diverse but coherent manifestations of the new Koreanness, which often transcends the boundaries of tradition and history.

In this interdisciplinary edited volume, the contributors provide fresh insights into the new Koreanness that has been reshaped by the current international popularity of Korean popular culture, the emergence of new media, and the cross-cultural encounters in the more globalised environment. By exploring themes, topics and theories linked to ongoing discussions and emerging trends, this book illuminates the multidimensional nature of ‘K-ness’.