This issue, for the first time in our series, we are delighted to spotlight a Korean Taiwan Studies Institution. Professor Lim Dae-Geun (林大根) was kind enough to give us an interview in which he describes the history and achievements of one of Asia’s longest-serving Taiwan Studies Centers!
1. Can you introduce us to the history of the Institute for Taiwan Studies at HUFS? When did it begin?
The Institute of Taiwan Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) was established in May 2011. Its founding purpose was to lay the foundation for systematic and interdisciplinary research on Taiwan in South Korea, and to academically highlight the significance of Taiwan across the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres of the East Asian region. Currently, the Institute is the only academic research center in South Korea dedicated exclusively to the study of Taiwan.
2. Has there always been interest in Taiwan from students at HUFS? Have you seen a growth in interest in Taiwan over the past decade?
Interest in Taiwan consistently existed among students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS). As HUFS has traditionally been strong in the humanities and social sciences with a focus on languages and regional studies, many students have pursued studies related to the Chinese-speaking world.
About a decade ago, courses and exchange programs specifically related to Taiwan were relatively limited in scale compared to those focusing on mainland China or other countries. Nevertheless, even then, some students expressed a desire to study in Taiwan through exchange programs and other opportunities.
Since the establishment of the Institute of Taiwan Studies, opportunities for student engagement have expanded through the publication of an academic journal, the organization of conferences and forums, and calls for student paper submissions. Additionally, elective courses focusing on Taiwanese society, culture, cross-strait politics, and the economy have been introduced, leading to a noticeable increase in student enrollment.
3. Korean popular culture has been very influential in Taiwan, are there any elements of Taiwanese culture (either traditional or popular) that students in Korea are interested in?
Korean students show a particular interest in various aspects of Taiwanese popular culture, including Taiwanese dramas and films, pop music, culinary culture, and BL (Boys’ Love) content. Taiwanese romance dramas and coming-of-age films, known for their delicate emotional tone, have especially captured the attention of the younger generation in Korea. Thanks to the accessibility of Taiwanese content on OTT platforms such as Netflix, students are now more easily exposed to these works and frequently discuss them among peers.
A prime example is Secret (《不能說的祕密》), a classic youth romance film that remains one of the most beloved genres among Korean students.
One of the most notable recent trends is the growing interest in the BL genre. This likely stems from Taiwan’s open and progressive stance on gender issues, which resonates with Korean students seeking to explore topics related to gender and LGBTQ+ culture. For instance, at the Formosa Forum held in March 2025, our researcher Kim Jung-eun gave a lecture titled “Female Desire and the World of Taiwanese BL Comics”. The session drew a large number of student participants, reflecting a serious and expanding engagement with gender discourses through Taiwanese content.
Additionally, the YouTube videos produced by our Institute—featuring topics such as Sanmei Restaurant in Taipei, Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, Dim Sum, and Din Tai Fung—have consistently garnered high viewership. This indicates that Korean students are consuming Taiwanese food not just as cuisine but as cultural experiences.
Snacks, night market foods, and visits to local restaurants offer students a vivid and tangible connection to Taiwanese culture. I personally recall a visit to Taipei two years ago with a group of students; they had researched Taiwanese foods online in advance and enthusiastically explored various snacks and restaurants. It was a truly memorable experience for them, highlighting the importance of food as a medium of cultural immersion.
4. What are some of the highlight events that you’ve held in the past year?
Over the past year, our Institute has hosted a wide range of events that achieved both academic depth and public impact. Let me highlight five key activities we are particularly proud of:
A. Publication of the 25th and 26th issues of Taiwan Studies
In December 2024, and June 2025, we published the 25th and 26th issues of our academic journal Taiwan Studies. These volumes featured articles across diverse fields such as history, literature, cultural studies, film studies, political science, and Indigenous studies.
As a Korea Citation Index (KCI)-listed journal supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, Taiwan Studies has firmly established its academic standing within Korean scholarship.
B. Organization of International and Domestic Academic Conferences
In August 2024, we participated in the 14th International Young Scholars Conference on Humanities and Culture at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The theme, “Human-AI Relations and the Creation of Literature and Culture,” brought together 49 presenters from across the world.
We also co-hosted a meaningful academic conference on Cho Myung-ha, a Korean independence activist who was executed in Taiwan. Held at Korea University, the event invited historical reevaluation of his sacrifice.
In January 2025, we convened the China Film Forum Joint Conference at HUFS, reflecting on the past, present, and future of Sinophone film studies.
C. Formosa Forum Series
The Formosa Forum is our signature lecture series featuring Taiwanese scholars and experts.
At the 27th Forum (July 19, 2024), Professor Kim Tae-yeon (University of Seoul) gave a lecture on “Taiwanese Popular Music: A Historical Perspective and Debates.”
The 28th Forum (November 15, 2024) featured Deputy Representative Kuo Chiu-wen of the Taipei Mission in Korea, who spoke on transitional justice in Taiwan and Korea, and Professor Yu Pei-yun (Taitung University), who discussed Son of Formosa as a medium for reading Taiwanese history through comics.
At the 29th Forum (March 28, 2025), our researcher Kim Jung-eun presented on “Taiwanese BL Comics and Female Desire.”
These sessions engaged the audience deeply and showcased the use of diverse cultural texts to interpret Taiwanese society.
D. Operation of the 9th “Blossom Taiwan School” (November 1–29, 2024)
This public lecture series, inspired by the Korean TV program Grandpas Over Flowers—which once featured Taiwan as a travel destination — was designed for general audiences.
Last year’s “Blossom Taiwan School” included five online sessions covering a wide range of topics, such as Taiwanese picture books, the content industry, popular music, expatriate experiences, and gender culture. All lectures were uploaded to YouTube, making them accessible to the broader public and expanding cultural outreach.
E. Production of 12 YouTube Videos (September 2024 – February 2025)
To enhance public engagement, we produced 12 video episodes on Taiwanese themes. Topics included Son of Formosa, what to know before traveling to Taiwan, “Is Taiwan a country?”, the 228 Incident, Din Tai Fung in Taipei, and Kaoliang liquor culture. Among them, the videos on the 228 Incident and dim sum with Kaoliang liquor recorded especially high viewership, demonstrating strong public interest in Taiwan’s modern history and food culture.
5. What are some of the unique insights that Korean researchers can bring into the field of Taiwan Studies?
That is a very important question. Korean researchers are uniquely positioned to view Taiwan through a lens shaped by both geographical proximity and historical-political parallels and contrasts. I would highlight three distinct areas of insight:
A. A Perspective from a Divided Nation – Comparative Approaches to Post-Cold War and Transitional Politics
Both Korea and Taiwan established their modern state structures amid Cold War tensions, and both have experienced legacies of division or political transition.
This shared experience allows Korean scholars to conduct comparative and structural analyses on issues such as transitional justice, state violence, and historical reckoning. They can draw parallels between Taiwan’s democratization process and Korea’s own journey through authoritarianism and memory politics.
B. Strength in Cultural Content Analysis – Media Literacy from K-Culture Scholarship
As a global powerhouse in cultural production, Korea has also developed a robust academic infrastructure for the interpretation and critique of cultural texts.
Korean cultural content scholars bring refined analytical tools to the study of Taiwanese BL comics, picture books, dramas, and films—not merely as entertainment, but as discursive and aesthetic objects. This interpretive sensitivity allows them to contribute original perspectives to Taiwan’s cultural and gender discourses within a broader East Asian context.
C. A Middle-Ground View in East Asian Geopolitics
Taiwan Studies has often been dominated by political narratives shaped by China, the United States, or Japan. In contrast, Korea, while a regional power, does not have a colonial or hegemonic past in Taiwan. As such, Korean researchers are capable of offering a balanced, third-party perspective on cross-Strait relations, Korea–Taiwan ties, and Taiwan’s position in East Asian security structures. They approach these topics with both regional sensitivity and a nuanced understanding of cultural politics and area studies methodologies.
In short, Korean scholars contribute a unique blend of shared historical experiences, advanced cultural critique, and geopolitically grounded neutrality that can significantly enrich the field of Taiwan Studies on the global stage.
6. Do you have any exchange programs with Taiwanese Universities?
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) maintains active exchange partnerships with several major universities in Taiwan. Through formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), we have been running semester-long exchange programs, short-term language training courses, and joint academic events with institutions such as National Taiwan Normal University, National Chengchi University, and others.
Our students typically participate in these exchange programs not only to improve their Chinese-language proficiency but also to experience Taiwan’s local politics, society, and culture firsthand.
We also offer short-term language programs during summer and winter breaks, some of which are directly coordinated by our Institute. These programs are made possible through close cooperation with partner universities in Taiwan.
Beyond student exchanges, our collaborations have expanded to include co-hosted academic conferences, researcher exchange visits, and joint translation projects.
Notably, institutions such as the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences at National Chung Hsing University and the Research Center for Sinophone and Transcultural Studies have become important sister institutions to our center, strengthening the depth and breadth of Taiwan-related academic collaboration.
7. What would be one (or more) of your proudest achievements at the Institute for Taiwan Studies at HUFS?
Over the past decade, the Institute for Taiwan Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies has accumulated a number of meaningful accomplishments. Among them, I would highlight three achievements that we are particularly proud of:
A. The Establishment and Advancement of the Journal Taiwan Studies
Launched in 2011, Taiwan Studies remains the only academic journal in South Korea dedicated exclusively to the study of Taiwan. By 2025, the journal had published its 26th volume, covering a wide range of topics including Taiwanese history, literature, politics, culture, Indigenous issues, and cinema. A major milestone was reached in 2024 when the journal was officially upgraded to KCI (Korea Citation Index) “Core Journal” status by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Furthermore, partnerships with Korea’s DBpia and Taiwan’s UDT have expanded global digital access to the journal, making it available to scholars worldwide.
This development marks Taiwan Studies not merely as a publication platform, but as a key hub for Taiwan-related scholarship in East Asia.
B. The Formosa Forum – A Model of Sustainability and Public Engagement
As of 2025, the 29th Formosa Forum have been held, covering topics such as Taiwanese popular music, transitional justice, BL comics, picture books, and colonial memory. Speakers have included scholars, artists, and diplomats, with robust participation from both students and the general public. The Forum has evolved beyond the bounds of a conventional academic lecture series into an interface between scholarship and popular culture. It has helped position Taiwan Studies in Korea as a cutting-edge site for cultural and interdisciplinary inquiry.
C. The “Blossom Taiwan School” – A Long-Standing Public Education Program
Now in its ninth consecutive year, the Blossom Taiwan School has become a beloved public lecture series introducing Taiwan’s politics, economy, society, and culture to general audiences. The program’s name was inspired by the Korean travel reality show Grandpas Over Flowers, which famously featured Taiwan as a destination. Its sustained popularity over nearly a decade demonstrates our commitment to bridging academic research with civic engagement and cultural diplomacy.