Title Pending 17503

This is an accepted article with a DOI pre-assigned that is not yet published.As the United States and South Korea strengthen political ties, it is important for citizens of both countries to understand each other culturally. Politics and culture are intertwined and knowing important aspects of the cultures helps citizens to be aware of the reasons for political decisions and to want to connect. Incorporating elements of Korean culture in American college courses is one way to broaden students' knowledge of South Korea as they enjoy and analyze the content. In my first-year composition courses, I include topics that emanate from various areas of the Korean entertainment industry. I introduce students to the concept of Hallyu and to Korean literature in translation. While some students are aware of K-pop and K-drama, many of them come from small Texas towns where such things are not popular so they are experiencing them for the first time. In my essay, I discuss how incorporating these elements into my curricula are a boon to students who are developing their writing and research skills especially. For most students, looking into these Korean topics academically provides a fresh perspective while they begin the journey of learning about Korean culture.