Adopting Korean dramas as a pedagogical tool for culturally responsive social work education and practice

This paper presents social work educators’ exploration of the intersection of social work education and practice, cultural responsiveness, and the impact of Korean cultural values, particularly through Korean dramas (K-dramas), in promoting social justice and enhancing cross-cultural understanding. As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, social work education must adapt to equip future practitioners and educators with the skills necessary to engage with individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Korean Americans are a significant subgroup within the Asian American community and offer a unique perspective on the challenges of maintaining cultural identity while navigating social oppression as immigrants. The global popularity of K-dramas has created an opportunity to integrate these narratives into social work education, providing a platform for exploring mental health resilience, community connections, and systemic issues faced by marginalized groups. This paper discusses the innovative use of K-dramas in a Philadelphia-based workshop aimed at decentralizing Eurocentric social work frameworks. By exploring the role of K-dramas in promoting cultural responsiveness and addressing mental health issues, this paper highlights the potential for using multimedia storytelling as a powerful tool in social work education, particularly for engaging with the Korean American community and beyond.