Behind South Korea

South Korea has shaped the global cultural scene with K-pop, films, and drama series - but behind the success lies a society under pressure: political unrest, rising unemployment, and a record-low birth rate.

In this lecture, journalist Malene Jensen examines how South Korea's international impact connects to internal tensions, and what daily life looks like for ordinary South Koreans. Drawing on her experience as a correspondent and commentator, she paints a picture of the forces shaping modern South Korea and the country's role in the world today and in the future.

Malene Jensen holds a degree in journalism and cultural encounters and has covered South Korea for outlets including Weekendavisen, Politiken, DR, TV2, and BBC. She regularly appears in Danish media as an expert and is the author of "A Life Without Men: Stories from South Korea's Gender War" (Svane og Bilgrav 2026). She works as a journalist at Weekendavisen.