Asianet MOOC: K-pop as a Global Phenomenon
All terms (ongoing until end of 2028)
- Registration COMING SOON
- Study period: 15.6.2026 – 31.12.2028
Amount of credits: 2 ECTS
Grading: pass/fail
Level: basic
Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku / University Network for Asian Studies
Contact person: University lecturer Outi Luova, University of Turku
Content:
This course offers a comprehensive examination of K-pop as a global cultural, economic, and political phenomenon. Open to all learners and available on a rolling basis until the end of 2028, it introduces key concepts, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary debates surrounding the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Particular attention is given to the historical emergence of K-pop, its evolving definitions, and the mechanisms underpinning its global diffusion.
Drawing on Professor Jimmyn Parc’s monograph The Identity and Emergence of K-Pop (Bloomsbury, 2025), the course combines scholarly insight with accessible learning materials. Upon successful completion of all assignments and assessments, participants will receive a digitally verifiable certificate.
The course content is organized into five modules that move from foundational concepts to contemporary debates and future outlooks:
1: Introduction
2: The Development of K-pop
3: Global K-pop
4: Operating Environment of K-pop
5: The Stars and Beyond
Goals:
By the end of the course, students will have developed a critical understanding of K-pop as both a cultural form and a global industry. They will be able to situate K-pop within the broader context of Hallyu and transnational cultural flows, while analysing how it is produced, circulated, and received across diverse contexts. Students will also evaluate competing definitions and historical trajectories of K-pop and engage critically with key concepts such as hybridity, imitation, and cultural exchange. In addition, they will examine the role of fandom, digital platforms, and global networks in shaping K-pop’s worldwide dissemination. The course further enables students to assess the institutional and regulatory frameworks that structure the industry, including government policy, corporate actors, and copyright regimes, and to reflect on labour conditions, artist experiences, and future developments within the field.
Study method:
The course is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Each module consists of learning materials, formative assignments, and a final multiple-choice exam. Assignments may be attempted multiple times, while module examinations allow up to three attempts. In order to complete the course and obtain certification, students must pass all assignments and exams. The course is assessed on a pass/fail basis. It carries 2 ECTS credits, corresponding to approximately 50 hours of study, and is delivered via the DigiCampus learning platform.
This online course will be run in the DigiCampus learning platform. Asynchronous learning allows you to study on your own schedule.
Learning materials:
The course is built around recorded lectures of approximately twenty minutes each, supplemented by timelines, infographics, and curated open-access resources. Learning is reinforced through a range of automatically graded activities, including quizzes, timeline exercises, and interactive tasks. Each module concludes with a multiple-choice examination that enables students to consolidate and demonstrate their understanding of the material.
Registration:
Students from the University of Turku, and the other member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies can register for this course through the Peppi or Sisu systems. This course is on-going until the end of the 2028. In the study system, please enroll in the course period during which you intend to complete the course. Credits will be registered after the end of each course period.
Starting the course:
You may begin the course independently at any time – no separate invitation from the teacher is required. To access the course site, go to https://digicampus.fi and search for the course by name. Log in using Haka Login and the username provided by your university. No course password is required. The course is offered through the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies https://asianet.fi/.