South Korea 2026 Interest List
Go Learn
Join Go Learn on this exciting trip to beautiful South Korea! Led by David Roh, English professor and Chair of the English Department at the University of Utah, we’ll take you on an unforgettable journey where you’ll experience this booming country’s unique and rich history and culture through the lens of literature.
How can we account for the rise of South Korean popular culture over the past twenty years? Ever in the shadow of its neighbors Japan and China, South Korea has recently emerged as a cultural juggernaut in the fields of film, literature, video games, consumer electronics, and, of course, pop music. Before that moment, South Korea was often overlooked and largely forgotten in the American imaginary, despite being the site of a major Cold War conflict, a continuing U.S. military presence, the subject of numerous films, and a large-scale transnational adoption regime. On this trip, we’ll examine South Korea’s food, history, and popular culture to map how its aesthetics have found an audience on a global stage.
Tour Highlights Include:
- Daily morning lectures with trip leader David Roh.
- Visit historical Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun Square.
- Walk the streets of a quiet and beautiful Hanak Village.
- Explore the culture, history, architecture, shopping and street food of Korea with visits to Gangnam, Insadong, Namdaemun, Myeongdong, and more!
- Spend two days on beautiful Jeju Island where we will learn more about the Haenyo Women, visit the deeply moving 4.3 museum, and enjoy short hikes and some relaxing beach time on this island that is called the Hawaii of Korea.
- Tour the DMZ and learn about this historical area and the ongoing tensions with North Korea.
- Visit the U of U Asia campus.
