Irhe Sohn

Irhe Sohn serves as Assistant Professor of Korean Language & Literature at Smith College, specializing in modern Korea with particular expertise in film and media history. His scholarly work critically examines marginalized aspects of Korean cinematic history that have traditionally been dismissed or overlooked.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• M.A., Korea National University of Arts
• B.S., Seoul National University

Dr. Sohn's research program centers on the problem of marginality in Korean film history, investigating minority audiences, vulgar genres, and filmmaking practices often categorized as failure. His current book project explores the formation of colonial Korean cinema during the height of Japanese imperialism, offering new perspectives on this complex historical period. Additional research interests include South Korean popular films from the 1970s, the history of special effects in Korean cinema, and broader East Asian film and media theories.

Dr. Sohn teaches courses covering Korean cinema, popular culture, literature, and language, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to Korean studies. His publication 'Fields of Revision: Adaptations of Wren's Elegy by Mo Yun-suk and Kim Ki-young' (2022) demonstrates his commitment to revisionist approaches that challenge established narratives in film scholarship.

Through his teaching and research, Dr. Sohn contributes significantly to expanding the understanding of Korean film history beyond mainstream narratives, highlighting previously overlooked elements of cinematic production, reception, and cultural significance.