Korea Cyber University Professor Lee Kyung-sook: 'Media is a Mirror of Society and a Force for Change'

Professor Lee Kyung-sook, an academic at Korea Cyber University specializing in media, gender, and cultural studies, views media as a powerful force that both reflects and shapes society. With a background including a Ph.D. in Media from Korea University, she has dedicated her career to analyzing societal shifts and communication trends through various academic platforms and leadership roles in scholarly societies.

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Media makes social perceptions and norms seem natural.

Her research interests span the social impact of media, with a particular focus on gender and representation issues. Recently, she has also turned her attention to the evolving communication landscape in the digital age. Professor Lee notes that the global media environment is rapidly changing, with content distribution and consumption transcending borders, fostering new cultural trends, and enabling unprecedented user participation and fandom-driven diffusion.

"Media makes social perceptions and norms seem natural," Professor Lee explained, emphasizing the profound influence media has on how we perceive various groups. She pointed out that the underrepresentation of certain groups, such as people with disabilities, in media contributes to their invisibility in society. Therefore, she advocates for diverse and balanced media perspectives to prevent the perpetuation of prejudice and stigmatization based on gender, race, religion, or other factors.

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The underrepresentation of people with disabilities in Korean society is also due to media's underrepresentation.

Professor Lee also highlighted the strengths of media education at cyber universities, noting that students from diverse backgrounds bring real-world experience that, when combined with theoretical knowledge, leads to a richer understanding of media and cultural industries. She sees this interdisciplinary approach fostering innovation and enabling students to create new projects and outcomes, such as organizing festivals from conception to execution.

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Media needs diverse and balanced perspectives to prevent discrimination and stigmatization based on gender, race, or religion.

For students aspiring to work in media and culture, Professor Lee advises them to stay attuned to the constant changes in the field, especially with the rise of new technologies like AI in content creation and distribution. She stresses the importance of developing a critical perspective on society alongside this awareness. She concluded by encouraging prospective students to pursue their studies, emphasizing that their experiences and insights can contribute significantly to both their personal growth and the broader society.

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Students from various backgrounds study together, combining practical experience with theory to understand the media and cultural arts fields more richly.