A hyper-focused developmentalism forged the cosmopolitan expanse of contemporary Seoul, a megapolis of glittering lights, kaleidoscopic signboards and towering apartment complexes. In reaction, Korean cinema began to focus on an idyllic countryside or hidden rooms within the city, often including eating and created a global media trend linking identity to food. Today, media streamed onto tablets and smart phones provides virtual togetherness and feelings of belonging to online communities consuming “Korea(-n food)” together.
Ellie Yunjung Choi is Visiting Assistant Professor of Korean Media and Culture in the East Asian Studies Department at Brown University. Her current research interests include the Seoul city, colonial Korea and P’yongyang, transnational food media, cyberspace and dislocation.
Dr. Choi’s talk is open to the public.
