Mason Annual Student Conference in Korean Studies (MASCKS)
Friday, October 9, 2026 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EDT
Johnson Center, Meeting Room A
The Korean Studies Program will host the Seventh Mason Annual Student Conference in Korean Studies (MASCKS) on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Johnson Center Meeting Room A, in celebration of Hangeul Day. Following welcome remarks by MCL Chair Dr. Liang Luo and congratulatory remarks from Ms. Yukyung Ha, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, seven Mason students will present research on Korean shamanism, K-dramas, Korean films and music. The program concludes with a special vocal performance, the Best Paper Award ceremony, and lunch. All are welcome.
2026 MASCKS Conference Program
The Seventh Mason Annual Student Conference in Korean Studies (MASCKS)
In Celebration of Hangeul Day
Friday, October 9, 2026, 10:30 am–2:00 pm
Johnson Center Meeting Room A
10:30–10:40 am Welcome Remarks by MCL Chair, Dr. Liang Luo
10:40–10:50 am Congratulatory Remarks by the Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ms. Yukyung Ha
Panel 1. Chair: Dr. Young Jung (10:50–11:45 am)
10:50–11:05 am Steven Nguyễn, "Spirits of the Modern World: Shamanism, Gender, and Cultural Continuity in Korea"
11:05–11:20 am Sarah Choudhary, "Reimagining Korean Shamanism in Exhuma (2024): The Coexistence of Synthesized Traditionalism and Postcolonial Trauma"
11:20–11:35 am Zoe Nix, "Between Heaven and Seoul: Analyzing the Multifaceted Depictions of the Divine in K-Dramas"
11:35–11:45 am Comments and Discussion, Dr. Paul Cha
Panel 2. Chair: Dr. Hyun Seon Park (11:45 am–1:05 pm)
11:45 am–12:00 noon Sydney Victoria Boerner, "Audible Absence: Minimal Musical Scoring and the Construction of Narrative and Psychological Tension in The Glory"
12:00–12:15 pm Nancy-Jane G. McClain, "From Shamanistic Rituals to K-pop: A Study of the Evolution of Korean Music and Its Potential for Education and Diplomacy"
12:15–12:25 pm Comments and Discussion, Dr. Hyun Seon Park
12:25–12:40 pm Emmalie A. Lemmon, "Women and Gender Roles in Squid Game"
12:40–12:55 pm Youngju Lee, "Return and Reconstruction of Strong Women in Contemporary Korean Drama (현대 드라마 속 강한 여성상의 회귀와 재구성)"
12:55–1:05 pm Comments and Discussion, Dr. Young Jung
1:05–1:15 pm Special Performance: Nancy-Jane G. McClain, "나 하나 꽃 피어 Just Me Blooming" (조동화 시, 윤학준 곡)
1:15–2:00 pm 2026 MASCKS Best Paper Award Ceremony and Lunch
Hosted by the Korean Studies Program, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University (korean.gmu.edu)
Sponsored by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages
