2026 Hahn Moo-Sook Colloquium
Sat, Oct 17 · 10:00 AM Elliott School of International Affairs · Foggy Bottom
Presented by the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and the Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS), the Hahn Moo-Sook colloquium series at GW invites participants to discuss the Korean humanities and Korea’s growing international presence in culture and academics. This year’s HMS Colloquium will examine two components: first, K-beauty as setting new standards of beauty that prioritize skin health, innovative skincare products, holistic beauty philosophies, personalization, and inclusivity, challenging traditional Western ideals; and second, K-beauty as affecting global consumption patterns such as economic factors through trade policies, marketing strategies, and social media trends. K-Beauty has rapidly transformed the global beauty landscape–from consumer behavior, cosmetic surgery, to a multi-billion dollar global industry. K-beauty serves as a pivotal case study of how cultural exports can redefine beauty norms and drive economic growth in the competitive global marketplace.
