Protestantism, Money and Nationalism in South Korea

The Erosion of Credibility

9789087285272

300 pages

Leiden University Press

Hardback $132.40

Preorder

Overview

How did a cornerstone of Korean modernization become one of its most criticized institutions? For over a century, Korean Protestant churches experienced explosive growth, shaping the nation's health, art, and politics while sending thousands of missionaries abroad. They were symbols of progress and prosperity. Today, their public image is overwhelmingly negative. Going beyond simple faith-based explanations, this study uncovers the social, economic, and political forces that transformed Korean Christianity, blurring the lines between spiritual guidance and institutional power. It provides a compelling analysis of a remarkable rise and a dramatic fall from grace.

Author Bio

Gil-Soo Han =========== Gil-Soo Han is a professor of communications at the School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University, Australia. His areas of research interest include media, religion, health, ethnicities, and nationalism. His recent publications include Nouveau-riche Nationalism and Multiculturalism in Korea (2016, Routledge), Funeral Rites in Contemporary Korea (2019, Springer), Calculated Nationalism in Contemporary South Korea (2023, Amsterdam University Press).