Ms Eugene Kim

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Eugene Kim
About
Teaching and learning
Research
Business, knowledge transfer and international
Professional practice, knowledge exchange and impact

About

I teach Korean levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Kingston University. I am also the editor-in-chief of an online magazine Nabillera: Contemporary Korean Literature. See the latest issue at: https://nabillerakorea.com/

My teaching and research interests revolve around the topics of modernity, active readership, and empathy as a way of 'feeling into'. I recently completed my PhD in English literature under the supervision of Professor Fred Botting. My thesis, titled Gothic Empathy, passed the Viva and is expected to be finalised in March 2024.

I am actively involved in various projects and events, and I support students in developing future skills and enhancing their language abilities. I collaborate closely with organizations and creatives within and beyond the university.

Academic responsibilities

Korean Lecturer

Qualifications

  • BA in English, Kyung Hee University, South Korea
  • MA in English literature Kyung Hee University, South Korea
  • MA in English literature, University of Exeter, UK
  • PhD in English literature, Kingston University, UK

Teaching and learning

I am the Korean course leader at Kingston Language Scheme. KLS Korean first opened in 2019, and ever since, it has been thriving with student participation and progress. KLS currently offers Korean 1, 2, 3, and 4, using course materials designed by myself and my colleague Ms Hyun Hwa Lee. They are based on Sejong Korean textbooks and workbooks on grammar and conversation, encouraging the student's confidence in speaking and writing. 

My modules are project-based and encourage diversity. As part of the Athena Swan Charter project, students lead a creative writing workshop, and the essays, poems, and illustrations written and drawn in Korean style are now in the process of e-book publication, also led by publishing major students. The project aims to showcase the potential for diversity in a foreign language learning environment while fostering students' future skills.

Research

I am currently collaborating with Dr. Colette Balmain to edit a significant interdisciplinary collection on BTS. This project gained momentum following the international conference of the "BTS: An Interdisciplinary Project." I am working on a research project focusing on modernity, paperback gothic tales from the 90s and the period surrounding the IMF in South Korea. As a Gothic scholar, I am in the process of developing a thesis chapter centred on the works of philosopher Edith Stein and art historian Wilhelm Worringer, both renowned for their unique perspective on empathy as an uncanny, dynamic mode.

Areas of specialism

  • Gothic literature and aesthetics
  • Affective terms including terror and sublime
  • 18th century popular gothic fiction: Ann Radcliffe
  • Turn of the century and early twentieth century empathy discourse and practice

Scholarly affiliations

  • International Gothic Association
  • Edith Stein Circle
  • Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain

Business, knowledge transfer and international

I have organised several Korean events. I collaborated with poet Steve J. Fowler to co-host a Korean literature night featuring Han Kang's The White Book at Kingston University. Additionally, I coordinated and moderated poet KIM Hakjung's discussion on minority voices in contemporary South Korea at the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK). I was a guest speaker at events on Korean literature and translation at Tallinn University and the University of Ljubljana. On occasion, I provide interpretation services at Korean government-related events. I have worked with Arko and LTI. 

Industry links

  • Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK)
  • Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI)
  • Arts Council Korea (Arko)
  • Disability Arts and Culture Centre Korea

Professional practice, knowledge exchange and impact

I run a literary magazine and sometimes feature my translation there. My first translation, My Itchy Middle Finger, a light-hearted queer coming-of-age novel by KANG Byoung Yoong, received a publication grant from Literature Translation Institute Korea (LTI). My other works include KANG Byoung Yoong's short story "Dad Likes Today", KIM Hak Jung's poetry collection on disability, and KIM Han Min's essay "Vegan, No Matter What".  

My latest project was translating the Korean Tarot Cards guidebook and 24 Jeolgi Term illustrations and guidebook by Korean illustrator KIM Sujin (penname Bana) into English.