New Books in East Asian Studies Min Joo Lee, "Finding Mr. Perfect: K-Drama, Pop Culture, Romance, and Race" (Rutgers UP, 2025)
Jan 18, 2026
Min Joo Lee, an Assistant Professor at Occidental College and author of *Finding Mr. Perfect*, dives into the fascinating world of K-drama fandom and romance tourism. She reveals how K-drama depictions of Korean masculinity shape foreign tourists' romantic expectations and desires. Lee contrasts past and present representations of masculinity, discusses the complexities of interracial dynamics, and shares insights on how tourists navigate real-life versus fictional encounters. Surprising persistence in seeking 'Mr. Perfect' sheds light on deeper societal issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Research Origin And Focus
- K-drama fandom motivated Minju Lee to study how fans pursue real-life relationships in Korea.
- She shifted focus from filming locations to interactions between Hallyu tourists and local men.
What 'Hallyu' Really Means
- Hallyu (the Korean Wave) covers K-dramas, K-pop, fashion, and cosmetics and grew from early 2000s initiatives.
- The Korean government and industry promoted culture as an export after the 1997 financial crisis.
Research Questions On Race And Desire
- Lee frames interracial Hallyu romance against Western Orientalist history to ask whether fan desires reproduce or reject Orientalism.
- She explores how televised masculinity motivates tourists and the consequences for Korean men.
