YALSA-bk is a listserv with lively discussions among librarians, educators, and beyond about all things YA lit. Sometimes one listserv member will ask a question of the group and others will provide feedback. This post is a compilation of responses for one such request.
Staying up with trends and interests of teen patrons is crucial to providing up-to-date collections and developing programs that will capture the attention of a teen audience. While teens are a great resources and will likely be happy to discuss their latest obsession at length, it’s also helpful to consult other resources to get a primer on a trend. Here at The Hub, we want to make it easier, so we’re introducing our Fandom 101 series.
A recent request on the YALSA-bk listserv caught my attention because it was asking for resources that would serve as an introduction to K-pop and K-drama for library staff who were unfamiliar with the culture and genre surrounding Korean music and movies but had teens in their library who were enthusiastic fans and wanted to start a club devoted to all things K-pop. These are some resources helpful members of the YA and library communities suggested as places to begin. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Recently, The New York Times reported on the wild popularity of South Korean culture, known as hallyu, or the “Korean wave.” So this isn’t an isolated phenomenon. For more information in K-pop and K-drama, check out:
This YouTube channel is maintained by a Canadian couple who has lived in Korea. It provides lots of content related to Korean culture for a non-Korean audience. The couple doesn’t present an insider perspective, but their time in Korea has given them a wide range of knowledge.
Fans of Korean movies, music, and pop culture may be interested in learning the language. This website was born out of a need for quality Korean instruction.
While it began as a site to host Korean dramas, this site is home to all sorts of television, film, and documentaries from around the world.
This site claims to have “all the latest K-pop celebrity gossip and news.”
Are you a fan of Korean culture? Where do you stay up on trends and news? We’d love to hear about your favorite artists, actors, movies, etc. in the comments!
— Molly Wetta, currently re-reading The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutowski
Dramabeans FTW for kdrama reviews, recaps, casting news. We may watch on DramaFever, but we go to Dramabeans to understand.
http://www.dramabeans.com/
Thanks, Becky, that’s a helpful addition!
Was just about to comment this, too! Dramabeans is really the best place to discuss Korean dramas. :)
http://outsideseoul.blogspot.com/ – That’s a pretty good site, too, but it hasn’t been updated in months. Still, there are some awesome reads there!
http://thefangirlverdict.com/ – Kfangurl offers some of most insightful reviews around the Kdramaverse. :)
Ohh this is helpful for my Teen Anime Club! Thanks!!