Curtin Korean Studies

✨Come find us at Curtin Open Day Sunday 24th May 10am-3pm!

🇰🇷Try your hand at Korean games, try on Hanbok and learn all about what Korean Studies at Curtin has to offer.

We hope to see you there!

Thinking about a Bachelor of Arts? Here’s why Korean Studies is the perfect add-on:

A Bachelor of Arts at Curtin lets you combine majors—and Korean Studies is one of the best to pair with almost anything.

Why? Because it gives you a real edge. Alongside your main major, you’ll learn Korean language skills and gain insight into one of the world’s most dynamic cultures—from K-pop culture and media to business, politics and society.

You don’t need any prior experience, but by the end you’ll have something extra that makes you stand out: intercultural skills, global awareness, and the confidence to work across borders.

Korean Studies works well with majors in international relations, business, commerce; media, journalism, education, screen arts, anthropology and sociology and beyond—opening up opportunities in global careers, government, industry and the creative sector.

Study the Bachelor of Arts at Curtin Bachelor of Arts students Matylda, Max and Caitlin were able to tai...

Keen on learning more about Korea and about Korean Studies? Come and talk to us this Sunday at the Curtin Open Day at the Humanities Hub and discover what our Curtin students have been up to earlier this year in Korea with our partners Konkuk University!

Curtin University × Konkuk University | NCP Go Global 2026 Curtin University × Konkuk University | NCP Go Global 2026Australi...

Join us in person or online on Wednesday 1pm AWST!
No registration required!

KRC Seminar Series: "Augmented Reality: A History of Virtual Celebrity in South Korea" by Dr Rachel Berryman on Wednesday 6th May, 1pm AWST (2pm Korean time)

Abstract

This presentation seeks to understand the concept of virtuality in the South Korean context by examining the country’s history of virtual celebrity, looking from the working “cyber characters” (사이버캐릭터, saibeo kaeligteo) and popular “cyber idols” (사이버가수, saibeogasu) of the 1990s, to the aspirational “virtual influencers” (가상 인플루언서, gasang inpeullueonseo) and real-time “virtual idols” (버츄얼 아이돌 , beochyueol aidol) active as of the early 2020s. By combining archival web and press analysis, along with relevant press, industry, and social media content drawn from a digital ethnography on virtual influencers, it compiles a cross-media account of virtual celebrity in South Korea that spans three decades, revealing a longstanding interest in embedding virtuality into Korean daily life.

Dr. Rachel Berryman (she/her) recently completed her PhD in Internet Studies at Curtin University, studying in the School of Media, Creative Arts, and Social Inquiry. Her thesis analyses the fictional, social media entities popularly known as “virtual influencers”, exploring their history, impact, aesthetics, and commercialisation, particularly in East Asia. She is co-editor (with Prof Crystal Abidin) for a forthcoming edited book titled Virtual Celebrity Cultures in Asia, contracted by Routledge.

Date: 6th May, 2026

Time: 1pm – 2pm (AWST)

Location: Room 202.136, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley

Join online via MS Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/44280588176226?p=6QjJwhArLfPnYDsS7n

Meeting ID: 442 805 881 762 26

Passcode: ZF3AH7eD

Come and join us for a seminar presentation Curtin University Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry and KOREA RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTRE on the Battle of Kapyong, online and in person.

Abstract:
The Battle of Kapyong stands as one of the definitive moments in Australian military history. In April 1951, the 27th Commonwealth Brigade – led by the Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand forces – held the line against a massive Chinese breakthrough, ultimately saving Seoul from occupation. Marking the 75th anniversary of the battle, this seminar offers a rare perspective from the front lines: the testimony of the last remaining Kapyong veteran in Western Australia. By combining first-hand accounts with historical data, the presentation explores how a force of under 1,000 men repelled an onslaught twelve times their size, as well as the evolution of the Kapyong legacy in both Australia and Korea.

Speaker:
Dr Hea-Jin Park is a historian and team member of the Korea Research and Engagement Centre (KRC) at Curtin. She was born in Korea, raised in Paraguay, and has been calling Australia home for over 20 years. She completed her medical degree at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción and received the doctoral degree from the Australian National University for her thesis on the history of South Korean agricultural migration to South America. Her current research projects focus on the story of Australians who have had a significant impact on the relationship between Australia and Korea, including the Australian missionaries and their work in Korea since 1889, the Australian veterans of Korean War and two Australian Kelpies, just to name a few. Her work has been featured in Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reports and materials.

Date: 30th April 2026, 12-1p AWST
Location: Curtin Univeristy, Building 211, Room 226
Online Link: https://lnkd.in/gZENbr3P (password: Ui6uf2DZ)

Come and listen to a Korean Studies lunchtime talk at the Curtin Library on Thursday! Nearly booked out so book your place quick.

Feed Your Mind 2026: Korea Bites with Professor Jo Elfving-Hwang Is Korean beauty culture just skin deep?

Want to study Korean online but with the support of our Korean Studies team and with the additional support of dedicated peer tutors who have already studied your units online? Flexible study options allow you to study 100% online with focus in communication skills!

Join our community from Study Period 1 (SP1) via Open Universities Australia! Enrolments still open - don’t miss out!

Teaching you in SP1 will be Dasul Kim (김다슬 선생님). ♥️ Follow this page for more student stories!

(In the image bunch of our students on the DMZ border in January 2026)

Register via this link:

https://www.open.edu.au/subjects/curtin-university-korean-beginners-1-cur-kor100?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-search-product-dsa-undergrad-arts-humanities&utm_term=&ChannelId=%7B67150678-B200-44BB-BBAE-1D7B901D0860%7D&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17133275468&gbraid=0AAAAADwvDD_Gl_q4h-RaWfn6ogzxR9pMT&gclid=CjwKCAiAzOXMBhASEiwAe14SaT3J_9yll2IiNRixqDSgdhWuPuZNMN8QWsy7F6zTFlbL_HZeGuJm9RoC9noQAvD_BwE

If you're still sitting on the fence thinking about whether taking the plunge and learning Korean is for you, Curtin Korean Studies provides a supportive environment online and in-person. Here's a student testimonial from Joshua (third year student, fully online), pictured here with our brilliant major coordinator Dr Hea-Jin Park:

"Enrolling in Curtin University's Korean Studies program was one of the best decisions I ever made. It was the only university I found offering an online pathway, available both fully online and through OUA. I chose OUA because the four study periods gave me the flexibility to balance my studies around my work and living arrangements as international cabin crew. I could complete units from anywhere in Australia, or even overseas, without compromising the quality of my learning.

Curtin’s Korean Studies program is uniquely dedicated to building strong linguistic and cultural competencies in Korean. Through flexible tutorials, I have been able to practice my conversational skills and gradually build confidence in using the language in a fun, dynamic, and supportive environment. The course goes beyond grammar and vocabulary, incorporating analysis of Korean media texts, idioms, and onomatopoeia, helping me to develop a nuanced understanding of native language use, something rarely offered in traditional LOTE instruction at other Australian institutions.

I especially appreciated how unit material was live and responsive to real-world events. This made my learning relevant and engaging, allowing me to explore the forces that have shaped the Korean peninsula and gain a deeper understanding of contemporary cultural, social, and economic trends.

Curtin also prepares students to reach a high level of proficiency, equivalent to the National Institute of Korean Language’s Standard Curriculum Upper 3/Lower 4 on the TOPIK scale. The program supported me in preparing for the TOPIK test by encouraging diverse use of the language, from critical debate and media analysis to daily-life roleplays, helping me feel fully confident to take the test after completing the program.

In addition, Curtin offers study tours and internship programs in Korea, as well as a wide range of elective units. This flexibility allowed me to tailor my learning to complement my major, deepen my interests, and broaden my skill set in ways other providers cannot match. Thanks to Curtin’s Korean Studies program, I feel prepared not only to speak Korean confidently but also to engage meaningfully with Korea’s dynamic culture and understand its influence on international relations. The program combines academic excellence, cultural depth, and practical flexibility in a way unmatched elsewhere. I cannot recommend it enough and am grateful for the wonderful support and instruction I have received."

Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry Curtin University Curtin Faculty of Humanities

Wondering what ELECTIVES to take at Curtin Uni?
KORE1000 Korean Beginners is a fun introduction to the basics of the Korean Language, and just one semester’s worth to of study will enable you to read, write and communicate in simple sentences in Korean.

You can study our unit in person or fully online, whether or not you’re a Curtin student, either as a not-for-degree free-standing study option or via Open Universities Australia.

ECU and Murdoch students can enrol via the WA cross institutional agreement too!

For those interested in Korean Pop Culture, enrol in KORE3002 Korean Popular Culture (no Korean language ability required as this unit is taught 100% in English).

Wondering what to select as your Level 1 elective unit at Curtin Uni?

If you’re stressing about picking an elective, KORE1000 (Korean Beginners 1) is a smart choice. It’s designed specifically for complete beginners, even if you’ve never studied a language before.

Big bonus: it’s CSP-subsidised, so you even save in HECS! It also runs both semesters, is well-structured, and taught by our fantastic Korean Studies Lecturer Dr Hea-Jin Park.

Great option if you want something manageable (affordable!) and useful, especially for Commerce, Media or IR students who’ll need cultural literacy skills in their future careers.

(The photo is from our study tour to Seoul this January and February 2026 - another perk for studying at Curtin! 😊)

Our Korean Studies got an opportunity to get a briefing at the Australian Embassy as part of their internship study tour in Korea!

WORK3006 is an alternate core unit option as part of your Korean Studies major. Enrol on the Korean Studies major or specialisation to get access to these fantastic opportunities!

Many thanks to New Colombo Plan for funding this study tour and Curtin School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry for supporting our students in Korea! 🇰🇷🇦🇺