As a leading Korean Studies research institution in the Philippines, UP KRC joined the Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUAC) and UP Diliman Asian Center (UPAC) to co-host the 2022 Korean Studies Special Workshop for Filipino students at Microtel by Wyndham, UP Technohub, Quezon City on 3 December, 2022. Under the overarching theme “Multiple Connections between the Philippines and the Korean Peninsula,” the event aimed to invite Filipino scholars from various universities to disseminate their currently working Korea-related research outcomes and to allow Korean and Filipino academics to network for future partnerships and cooperations. The participating universities include Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University Manila, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde – School of Diplomacy and Governance, and University of the Philippines Diliman. Student presenters are fresh graduates and also currently enrolled master’s students. From the said participating schools, mentors were assigned so that student presenters were initially guided well to choose the research topic and prepare for their in-person presentation. Their respective mentors include Profs. Aurea Javier, Mark Ysla, Lino Baron, Bruno Lovric, and Michelle Palumbarit. To grace the event, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Maria Cynthia Bautista and UP Asian Center Dean Henelito Sevilla Jr. were present to share inspiring messages on how young Filipino scholars’ first steps to pursue Korean Studies can bear meaningful fruits in the long run. To congratulate participants, Korean Cultural Center Director Young Ah Im and Former UP Board of Regents member Angelo Jimenez (22nd UP President-elect) also joined and shared encouraging messages. Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte generously shared her video message and two representatives attended the event in person. For two plenary speakers, Dr. Won Jung Min (SNUAC) gave a talk titled, “Gender, Class, and Race: Assessing the Korean Wave in Latin America” and showed how K-pop phenomenon unfolded in Chile, how it is localized with Chilean artists, and what unique fandoms are witnessed. Mr. Ilho An (Manila Koreatown Association) was the second plenary speaker who gave a talk titled, “Cultural Diversity and The Role of K-town” to show the establishment and history of MKT and public diplomacy led cultural initiatives the association has been making.
Presenters’ research topics varied from K-pop inspired topics to look into fan behaviour, fandom activities, to Korean peninsula issues and pandemic experiences. As presenters were from various academic disciplines (Asian Studies, Communication, International Studies, etc.), it was indeed witnessed how they developed their interests in the respective domains and embraced creative approaches. The event was the first to be co-hosted by SNUAC and UP, and we are hoping to continue this partnership and endeavours. Workshop Book of Abstract can be downloaded here. *written by UP Korea Research Center *photos credited to UP Korea Research Center and UP Arirang | 
