San Diego State University will introduce a new K-pop dance class in Fall 2023, led by K-pop scholar Chuyun Oh. The class will explore the evolution of K-pop, its fandom, and the role of social media.
San Diego State University will be offering a unique class on the global cultural phenomenon of K-pop starting in the fall semester of 2023. The course, created and taught by Associate Professor Chuyun Oh from the School of Music and Dance, will examine how cultures use dance as a means of communication and expression.
Dr. Oh, an internationally recognized scholar on K-pop who focused her Ph.D. research on the topic, aims to offer her perspective and knowledge to students who are already seeking a class on K-pop. The course will cover the evolution of K-pop since the 1980s and shift focus towards the K-pop fandom and its application on social media.
The class will be based on Dr. Oh’s book, “K-pop Dance: Fandoming Yourself on Social Media,” which became a best-seller on Amazon and is one of the few academic resources published on the topic.In the book, the author elaborates on the unique characteristic of K-pop dance known as ‘gestural point choreography.’ This type of dance involves decorative and charming movements of the upper body and face that are front-driven and two-dimensional. The author also theorizes this as an example of what she calls ‘social media dance.’
The K-pop dance class will be a general education course (Dance 383) and will be open to any students interested in dance, K-pop, or South Korean culture, without any prerequisites. The course will count towards arts, humanities, and diversity credits and no physical activity will be required
Dr. Oh hopes that her class will contribute to SDSU’s vision for equity, equality, and diversity, creating a platform where students can better identify or see themselves through official course subjects. Additionally, she aims to create a channel where students can build a network with people in the industry, gain hands-on experience, and be more prepared to be leaders beyond the San Diego region after graduating.
The K-pop dance class will preview during the California State University Summer Art Program, and instructors, choreographers, and dancers from the summer program will be invited to join the fall class at SDSU. Marlene Baldonado, a K-pop enthusiast, will be Dr. Oh’s teaching assistant at the CSU Summer Arts Program and plans to enroll in the SDSU K-pop class during the fall. Baldonado believes that the course will foster a community of diverse individuals who can share their ideas and perspectives while learning more about dance and its technicality.