Promotional art for the course: "The History of Korea through Sageuk K-dramas” (2025.1)

The Korean Cultural Center in Brazil announces that enrollment for the course “The History of Korea through Sageuk K-dramas” for the first semester of 2025 will open on April 21 at 10 a.m. The course will be led by doctor and researcher Mariana Seminati Pacheco.

By participating in the course, students will expand their knowledge of Korean culture and history, as well as gain a better understanding of K-dramas from the social perspective of South Korea.

Below is all the information regarding the course, including rules, class schedules, and the form link. We ask that all interested parties carefully read all the information before registering.

About the instructor

Mariana Seminati Pacheco

Mariana Seminati Pacheco Ph.D. in Communication and Semiotics (2021–2024 – CAPES and PSDE scholarship (Université Paris Cité)) from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), Master’s in Literature (2017–2019 – CAPES scholarship), and Bachelor’s in Advertising and Propaganda (2013–2016) from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Student representative in the Graduate Program in Communication and Semiotics at PUC-SP (2022–2023) and Vice-President of the PUC-SP Graduate Students Association (2023–2024). Researcher in Media Historiography, Pop Culture, Asian Studies, and Communication on digital platforms. Author of the book A ROSA E O FLORETE (2016), published by Novo Século under the Talentos da Literatura Brasileira imprint.

About the Course

• - Enrollment period: 04/21/2025 to 05/04/2025 until 6 p.m. (Brasília time)

• - Registration method: Google Forms

  • * The form will be available for completion on 04/21 at 10 a.m. and will close on 05/04 at 6 p.m.

  • * Link: https://forms.gle/GPmrT5GQZKMooiRY9

  • * After filling and submitting the form, the candidate will receive a copy of their response via email. This does not mean the candidate has been selected for the course. If selected, the student will receive a confirmation directly from the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil on May 5.

• - Course duration: May 8 to May 29, 2025 (total: 4 weeks)

  • * Proposed schedule: 4 classes of 120 minutes each (1h30 of lecture and 30 min of discussion with the class)

• - Location: Korean Cultural Center (Av. Paulista, 460, Bela Vista, São Paulo)

• - Seats available: 25 students

• - Selection method: first come, first served

  • * Only those who submit a complete registration will be considered.

• - Cost: free

• - Minimum age: open to all ages

• - Modality: in-person

• - Methodology: content presentation (lecture) and exemplification with pre-selected K-dramas + discussion with students at the end of each class

• - Announcement of results: Individual email notification on 05/05 for selected candidates

Course Schedule

• - 1st class: The sageuk genre, also known as historical drama

  • * Introduction to the genre and its importance in retelling Korean history

  • * Explanation of the beginnings of Korean narratives through the founding story “The Tiger and the Bear”, followed by an overview of the Three Kingdoms: Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje, and the introduction of Confucianism in Korean territory

  • * K-dramas to be used:

    • ** River Where the Moon Rises – 2021, KBS

    • ** Hwarang – 2016, KBS2

    • ** Great Queen Seondeok – 2003, MBC

• - 2nd class: The unification of the Three Kingdoms

  • * This class will cover the unification of the Three Kingdoms into Goryeo, the first invasions by China and Mongolia, Korean cultural resistance, and the fall of the Goryeo dynasty

  • * K-dramas to be used:

    • ** Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Goryeo – 2016, SBS

    • ** Empress Ki – 2013, MBC TV

• - 3rd class: The Joseon Dynasty

  • * Explanation of the beginning and establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, the most represented in K-dramas, as well as its legacy in Korean culture and intellectual development, and the formation of Neo-Confucianism

  • * K-dramas to be used:

    • ** Historian Goo Hae Ryung – 2019, Netflix

    • ** The King’s Affection – 2021, Netflix

• - 4th class: South Korea in modern times

  • * Overview of modern Korean history in the 20th century, overcoming Japanese occupation and the Korean War—sensitive yet defining topics in reclaiming national identity

  • * K-dramas to be used:

    • ** Mr. Sunshine – 2018, Netflix

    • ** The Hymn of Death – 2018, Netflix

About the Selection

• - Selected candidates will receive a confirmation email on 05/05.

• - Only selected candidates will receive a confirmation email. Those not selected will automatically be placed on a waiting list.

  • * There is no set timeline for calling people on the waiting list. If spots become available due to cancellations, the coordinator will contact individuals on the list in order of initial registration.

Course Rules

• - Any student who misses 3 classes and/or registers but does not attend the first class will be removed from the course and barred from enrolling for one year.

• - Each person must use only one email to register and may enroll only once. If it is discovered that the candidate used multiple emails or registered for more than one group, they will lose their spot.

  • * If a student wishes to change their registered email, they must notify the course coordinator.

Classes and Schedules

• - Group A: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For any questions, contact the coordinator (Dong) via email: dong@kccbrazil.com.br