’Genji Monogatari’ and ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ were both classics from Japan and China, but now they are must-reads for people around the world. The reason behind this can be owed to the western scholars and intellectuals who made it possible for many people to relate to the stories through their introduction. Although a little bit late there is a specialized institute that educates the heros who will present Korea to the world stage in the future. It is the Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Inter University Center (IUC) where graduate students who wish to learn Korean can receive a tailored education in Koreanology.

Nathaniel Kingdon’s major in UCLA, where he is in the PH.D. program, is ‘History of Korean Pictorial Art.’ Working as a English teacher in a middle school in Gapyung 11 years ago, he was captivated by Korean paintings after seeing a painting by Korea’s abstract art pioneer Whanki Kim by chance. From then on, he visited the art galleries in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong and Insa-dong art district during weekends to see paintings, and in 2011 eventually entered UCLA majoring in ‘Chosen Royal Court Art’. 

The American Nora Haook (Anthropology Michigan University) is also greatly taken with Korea’s charm. Nora because “my mother’s friend is Korean” made a spontaneous visit to Korea in 2004 and was moved by the architecture of various periods intwined in Seoul, and is now studying urbanology and architecture.

“Seoul is a panoramic stage where the Chosen dynastic period, Japanese colonial era, industrial development era and the newest classy cafes coexist.” Nora proclaimed on August 15 when we met her.

The two ‘blue-eyed’ students share a commonality of being the first freshmen to enter SKKU’s IUC, newly established in June. IUC is an institute which is intended to produce future Koreanology professors by providing intense study in academic Korean along with Korean history, culture, society and more, to foreign graduate students. With the agreement made with Harvard, UCLA and other US universities,

SKKU takes in the exchange students from these universities and the IUC is in charge of their education. In addition to Nathaniel and Nora, there is also Frederick Higgins and Alice Yoon who are respectively learning Buddhism and geography.

Compared with its economy reaching around 10th in the world, Korea is generally considered in the academic world to be negligent in the diffusing the study and understanding of Korea which is Koreanology. Neighboring Japan, from early on, has took tremendous efforts to produce Japan specialists by establishing an academic Japanese education institute (IUP) with Standford University (US) from 1961. China also has made a similar institute in Peking University and Tshinghua University to absorb the foreign students who want to learn about China.

The achievements by these IUC freshmen well exhibit the reason for having an institute specializing in producing Korean specialists. The intellectual curiosity of these studying students are deep and wide. Nora is absorbed in the problem of ‘gentrification’ in Jongno-gu Seochon where the original inhabitants are being driven out as the area develops and rent prices soar. Alice is researching in the ‘return to farming’ phenomenon and Fredrick is preparing a thesis on Won Buddhism. For the completion of his research he also became a monk for 5 years and stayed at a monastery in Yeonggwang in Jeonnam province.

Of course research in Koreanology cannot solely be done though the student’s willingness. A new language and environment is an obstacle. To help with this IUC provides tailored academic counselling on subjects such as east asian studies, anthropology and more though 10 full-time faculty. Every week from Monday to Thursday for 5 hours, intensive classes in fiction, philosophy, sociology and more,  humanities studies, are provided, while on Friday they attend a special lecture from erudite scholars in Korea.

“I’m preparing a thesis on 18th century Chosen art, and because its difficult in understanding the social structure and classical chinese, advice from the professors are a great help.” asserted Nathaniel.

They are pursuing their dream of becoming a professor or professional researcher in Koreanology. Nora hopes to be a specialist in Korean modern society and capitalism like Yonsei University professor of anthropology Cho, Hae-Joang.

“When I was home-staying in seochon, I cant forget the land ladies generosity who prepared warm steaming rice and food even late in the night” Nora said. “with capitalism rapidly propagating the world over, I wanted to show the advantages of the Korean society which still holds warmth.”