Born in Seoul, South Korea, Myoung-Sun Song spent three years as a child in Virginia. That’s where she had a life-changing moment: She listened to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

“I was still learning English at that time, so I could not understand the lyrics,” Song said. “But the beat was enough because it was unlike any other song I had heard before. From this moment onwards, I became an avid fan of hip-hop.”

Today, Song’s research centers on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, class, and identity in Korean media and popular culture. Her book, Hanguk Hip Hop: Global Rap in South Korea, is the first scholarly book-length study in the English or Korean language on the subject of Korean hip-hop.

“Throughout the chapters, Korean hip hop is examined through the notion of “buran”—personal as well as societal anxiety or uncertainty—and how it manifests in the dimensions of space and place; economy and cultural production; and race and gender,” Song states. “Ultimately, I argue that buran serves as a metaphoric state for Hanguk hip-hop in that it continuously evolves within the conditions of Korean society.”

Illinois’ commitment to diversity and inclusion significantly contributed to Song’s decision to join the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.

“The Inclusive Illinois: One Campus, Many Voices vision aligns and reflects very well with what I hope to accomplish in my own work and teaching,” said Song, who received her PhD in Communication from the University of Southern California.

Song is excited to work closely with students and the community to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Song is also looking forward to collaborating with various departments across campus.

“I hope to participate and contribute in interdisciplinary projects that expand our perspectives on identity and representation,” she said.

--By Samantha Boyle, Kimberly Wilson, and Dave Evensen