Dharshani Lakmali Jayasinghe – författare

This first of two volumes explores how contemporary Asian popular culture reflects and critiques social issues. The authors, from different scholarly backgrounds, examine how shows like Squid Game present a scathing critique of oppressive socio-economic structures, conceptualize national heterotopias, utopias, and dystopias, and facilitate understanding of identity formation and discourses of resistance. The volume encompasses chapters discussing themes that intersect gender, race, politics, and social dynamics. It showcases ongoing developments in Asian popular culture in the wake of the global popularity of Squid Game and in anticipation of its second season release in December 2024.

This second of two volumes explores broader cultural, economic, and socio-political dynamics exchanged between Asian popular media and the world. The authors analyze how the said media navigate complex global markets and technological advancements. They discuss how dissemination and consumption of Asian popular culture, such as early Chinese-language movie theaters, Netflix, subtitling of Asian content, impact the popularity of cultural contents. They also examine the portrayal of ajummas (middle-aged women) in Korean TV and film, along with the varying representations of utopia and dystopia embedded in Asian science fiction. This volume illustrates the soft power of media in transnational exchanges.