New majors at Korean universities aim to foster leaders in Hallyu, translation and more

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

While many Korean universities are introducing tech- and semiconductor-focused majors in response to the rapid growth of related industries, others are taking a different approach by emphasizing culture, language and sports.

A new department centered on Hallyu (the Korean Wave) has been established as part of broader efforts to further globalize Korean culture, while a graduate school dedicated to Korean literature translation is set to open.

To help prospective students stay informed about these emerging niche programs, the Korea JoongAng Daily has compiled a list of academic programs that were recently introduced and are confirmed to open next year.

Graduate school run by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), which has offered nondegree translation education programs since 2008, is set to open its inaugural graduate school dedicated to master’s programs in literary translation.

Set to launch in September 2027, the graduate school aims to train translators specializing in Korean literature and cultural content across seven majors — English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Spanish and Russian — and plans to admit 60 students in its inaugural class, with half of the spots open to international students.

According to the institution, the new graduate school will distinguish itself from other interpretation and translation graduate schools focused on practical fields by concentrating on Korean literature and cultural content and translating from Korean into foreign languages.

Through the new master’s program, students will first take theory-based courses, such as introductions to Korean literature, cultural content and literature understanding and Korean society. They will then move on to practice-oriented courses, including literary translation, arts and culture translation workshops and creative writing.

According to LTI Korea, one of the main goals of the new graduate school is to strengthen the role of overseas students in the literary translation field as Korean works gain global traction.

“For Korean literature to resonate more deeply with global readers, there must be foreign professionals who have mastered the Korean language,” said Hwang Sok-yong, a novelist whose work "Mater 2-10" was short-listed for the 2024 International Booker Prize and who also serves on the establishment committee. “I hope the graduate school of literary translation will encourage more in-depth studies of the Korean language and Korean literature overseas.”

The student selection process is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2027, according to the institute. The graduate school is expected to use the institute’s building in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, as its campus.

Sookmyung Women’s University’s Hallyu International College

Sookmyung Women’s University launched the Hallyu International College exclusively for international students in the first semester of this year.

The department comprises two divisions: the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, which focuses on international business, and the Division of Hallyu Studies, which specializes in Korean culture.

According to the university, the Division of Hallyu Studies offers education focused on the Korean Wave, covering K-pop, K-beauty, the Korean culinary arts and other forms of cultural content.

Specifically, students will learn how to create mobile and AI-generated content, plan food products and develop Korean beauty styling skills. Students will also take courses on copyright law and content-production procedures while preparing professional portfolios under the guidance of professors and industry professionals in their final years.

The Division of Interdisciplinary Studies offers courses in digital marketing, consumer lifestyle analysis, marketing strategy, intellectual property and international finance.

Sookmyung Women’s University said it will continue strengthening career-oriented education through industry-academia collaboration for the students of the new college.

As part of these efforts, the university has signed partnership agreements with SM Universe and the Yongsan Foundation Arts & Culture to provide students with more hands-on learning opportunities.

Sungshin Women's University’s Industrial Convergence 

Launched in the first semester of 2026, Sungshin Women's University’s Industrial Convergence comprises three academic paths: the Local Design Policy, Drama Filmmaking Art and Legislation and Public Policy.

According to the university, Local Design Policy is a policy- and design-focused master’s program that aims to cultivate experts in local design and management by planning and designing sustainable regional development strategies based on local resources and culture.

Its curriculum includes commercial district diagnosis workshops involving on-site research, commercial district analysis and data analysis, as well as courses on urban branding and local curation that focus on planning and presentation skills. Students can also take visual storytelling courses that explore emotional designs for public or brand messaging and strategies for visual content.

Drama Filmmaking Art is designed to foster expertise across media-related fields. Through the program, students can take practice-based courses in acting, directing, screenwriting, production and filmmaking, while also participating in creative and collaborative projects.

The Legislation and Public Policy major aims to cultivate practical legal experts equipped with both legal knowledge and hands-on capabilities in legislative and policy processes, preparing graduates for careers at local councils, public institutions and legislative support organizations. Beyond legal interpretation, students can learn institutional design for solving public issues, policy analysis and legislative drafting as well.

Shinhan University’s Baduk Content Department

Shinhan University, located in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, is set to launch a new department focused on the game of Go, called baduk in Korean, with the recruitment of its first students scheduled for the first semester of next year.

According to the university, the new department will offer courses in baduk theory, digital baduk content production and cultural content planning related to the game. The curriculum will also incorporate AI-assisted gameplay analysis, which university representatives say distinguishes the program from previous Go-related majors, following the closure of the Department of Baduk Studies at Myeongji University, long considered the country’s only major dedicated to Go run by a higher education institution.

Through the new major, with its tech-driven courses, the university said students will be able to analyze gameplay through advanced tools and simulation programs designed to deepen their strategic understanding of the game.

The university added that the department’s launch aligns with Uijeongbu’s broader initiative to position itself as a hub for baduk, with the city set to open the nation’s largest Go stadium in September. Shinhan University said students will have opportunities to observe and participate in major domestic and international tournaments held at the venue, as well as interact with professional players.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]