Currently, a significant transformation of Hallyu involves fans becoming prosumers of Korean popular culture. Although most of the research on Hallyu fans has focused on the younger generation, mainly Generation Z and Generation Alpha, this article examines the specific behavior of Hallyu fans as modern prosumers. Although presently the consolidation of prosumer activities is currently possible due to ongoing technological changes, especially the development of the Internet, the main hypothesis of this study is that for each Hallyu generation—from Hallyu 1.0 to Hallyu 4.0 - has a counterpart that can be identified and characterized within the generational levels of the population. In addition, different generations of prosumers can also be identified and categorized. The empirical data analyzed in this study is qualitative and it was collected between 2011 and 2020. The results of the research showed the desire for prosuming among Hallyu fans belonging to different generations. At the same time, the analysis identified the factors specific to prosumers belonging to a certain generation for certain types of Hallyu products.
This article conceptualizes nature as a dynamic and multilayered construct, whose meanings emerge through continuous processes of accumulation, transformation, and cross-cultural interaction. Rather than replacing earlier meanings, new interpretations of nature are added to pre-existing ones, resulting in a palimpsestic structure in which different semantic layers coexist. Drawing on a comparative framework, the study traces the historical evolution of the concept across Western and Chinese traditions, emphasizing both internal developments and intercultural exchanges. In the European context, nature has its roots in Ancient Greece, when it was defined as a dynamic process. Its understanding has constantly changed, being shaped by theological, scientific, and industrial paradigms, becoming a term defined by its opposition to culture. In parallel, the Chinese conceptual field – articulated through paradigms of thought such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism – develops a relational understanding of the world, in which humans are embedded within a continuous process of transformation. The encounter with Western modernity in the early twentieth century introduces new semantic layers into the Chinese conceptualization of nature, while contemporary ecological thought echoes Chinese concepts such as 自然 (ziran – nature as a self-generating process). Methodologically, the article combines conceptual history and comparative analysis, within the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Humanities, paying particular attention to the interplay between linguistic, philosophical, and cultural dimensions. By foregrounding the stratified nature of the concept, the study argues that nature cannot be understood as a stable category, but rather as an open, evolving construct shaped by ongoing processes of reinterpretation and intercultural negotiation.
This paper examines transnational mobility between Romania and Japan by focusing on Japanese people in Romania and Romanian people in Japan. Through an analysis of these two groups, it highlights a mobility nexus that has received limited scholarly attention. Mobility between the two countries reflects their economic, political, and social conditions and demonstrates how these factors shape cross-border movement. Based on a pilot interview with a Japanese student in Romania, this paper explores how the participant experiences life in Romania and what these experiences mean in a broader social context. The participant’s settlement experience also informs our understanding of race and ethnicity in a globalizing world, particularly how Japanese migrants are positioned as Asians within predominantly Western social environments. This pilot study provides preliminary insight into the experiences of Japanese nationals in Romania and serves as a foundation for a larger-scale study. In addition to the pilot interview, this study also analyzes videos posted on two YouTube channels run by Japanese residents in Romania. The analysis of these videos offers additional insight into how Japanese migrants narrate their experiences of mobility, settlement, and everyday life in Romania.
Unpaid caregiving is a crucial aspect of gender inequality that needs to be addressed within the overall national strategy. In Vietnam today, women remain the primary workforce responsible for unpaid caregiving, but their contribution has not been adequately recognized. As women increasingly participate in paid employment, the unpaid care burden is not shared by men and the public service system, leaving women under significant pressure and disadvantage. This article aims to identify the reality of the unpaid care burden in Vietnam, its contributing factors, and its consequences for women. The study utilizes a literature review method with a systematic and purposeful search, screening, and selection process. Sixty-eight documents were included in the analysis and citations out of an initial 145 documents searched from reputable sources. Gender inequality stemming from the burden of unpaid caregiving on women is not only reflected in the fact that they have to dedicate more time to this work than men, but also in a series of consequences related to educational opportunities, employment, income, career advancement, and self-care. This burden is maintained and reinforced by persistent traditional gender norms, inadequate national policies, and a lack of public services commensurate with societal development. The vulnerability of gendered unpaid caregiving is further highlighted in the context of increasing contemporary social issues such as population aging, labor migration, disease outbreaks, and climate change. Therefore, unpaid caregiving is no longer a private matter for women or a family issue; it is a structural and public policy issue. The research findings provide a basis for policies aimed at redistributing care work and highlight the need for investment in care infrastructure, social services, and gender equality in Vietnam.
The paper explores how the Korean Wave (or Hallyu) is received, practiced, and localized among Romanian fans of South Korean culture. Moving beyond an understanding of Hallyu as imported entertainment, the study approaches K-pop, K-dramas, and similar cultural phenomena as resources through which fans build preferences, communities, identities, and instances of cultural mediation. The research uses a mixed-methods design based on an online questionnaire administered in March 2025 to 122 Romanian Hallyu fans. The findings show that Romanian fans express strong affective attachment to Korean culture while remaining cautious in assessing their own cultural knowledge. Their engagement was structured by a transmedia ecology linking K-pop, K-dramas, webtoons, social media, streaming platforms, fan communication, Korean products, and language learning. Fan practices are active but unevenly formalized. Respondents reported following artists, sharing content, voting, buying albums, talking to other fans, attending events, and learning Korean, yet official fan-club participation was limited. The results also revealed selective media consumption, critical reception of K-dramas, interest in broader East Asian cultures, and strong imagined tourism toward Korea. Korean language learning appeared as a particularly significant form of cultural investment. The article argues that Korean cultural diffusion in Romania is not a linear process of media exposure, but a complex articulation of affect, platforms, commodities, sociability, criticism, language, regional comparison, and imagined mobility. This paper contributes to Hallyu studies by foregrounding local fan agency within a specifically Eastern European cultural context.
This article examines how online dating is discussed in public Reddit conversations that refer to South Korea and to European spaces. The study is qualitative and exploratory. It uses thematic analysis of selected comments from three Reddit threads concerned with Korean dating norms, dating experiences in South Korea, and perceptions of dating in European contexts. The interpretation draws mainly on Erving Goffman’s notion of impression management and Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of liquid love. Hofstede, Giddens, and recent studies on technology-mediated intimacy are used only as supporting references, not as fixed explanatory models.The analysis shows that users do not describe online dating only as a technical way of meeting partners. They present it as a social situation in which attraction, trust, authenticity, cultural difference, and commitment have to be read and negotiated. In the comments about South Korea, dating applications are often connected with ambivalence, suspicion, respectability, and the need to confirm intentions through face-to-face meetings. The comments about Europe are less unified. They refer to country, city, language, gender, social capital, and local interactional codes. The article therefore argues that dating platforms create a shared digital format for encounter, but they do not remove cultural difference. Instead, they make cultural expectations visible in new and sometimes contradictory ways.
The articles of this special issue of “Postmodernism Problems” provide a vital framework for conceptualizing the contemporary dynamics of the Asia-Europe nexus. By connecting critical areas, this issue highlights the need for interdisciplinary and collaborative research among scholars from diverse geographic spaces. By tracing these flows in and between Asia and Europe, the collected analyses challenge the academics to look beyond traditional boundaries and static categories. We hope that these insights will provoke new questions, inspire deeper intercontinental dialogues, and serve as critical vantage points for understanding the lived realities of a world in constant flux. The special issue of the journal “Postmodernism Problems” thus constitutes an appeal at rethinking the ways in which Asia and Europe continue to reshape each other through the persistent forces of labor, culture, and life.
This study aims to analyze the institutional and pedagogical challenges in the practical application of theoretical knowledge for the development of civic competencies in higher education. Specifically, the research assesses students’ perceptions of their mastery of theoretical knowledge and their engagement in its practical application, as well as identifying student-centered teaching strategies that prove most effective in this regard. A mixed-methods research methodology was used to conduct this study. The quantitative approach was conducted through a structured online questionnaire administered during the period October–December 2025, while the qualitative approach was supported by a literature review. The study included students from the teaching programs of the Faculty of Education at "Aleksandër Moisiu" University in Durrës, and from the Faculty of Educational Sciences at "Aleksandër Xhuvani" University in Elbasan, Albania. The study sample consists of 460 randomly selected students, of whom 47% were enrolled in Bachelor’s programs and 53% at the Master’s level, thus providing a broad representation of academic perceptions. The data demonstrate an exceptionally positive assessment of active teaching methods, with 98% of students emphasizing that they increase their engagement in lectures and 92% confirming increased motivation. Interactive competencies, such as communication (72.4%) and group collaboration (65.3%), emerge as the most developed. However, the study identifies a weakness in the connection between theory and practice, with 31% of students reporting difficulties in the practical application of theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, competencies such as problem-solving (38.8%) and digital skills (23%) remain problematic. Student-centered teaching is essential for the development of civic competencies, but its effectiveness is hindered by deeply theoretical curricula. Overcoming this challenge requires a thorough institutional review of study programs to integrate theoretical knowledge with direct practical engagement of students, as well as improving the quality of academic staff training in the use of contemporary teaching methods.
The present article offers a psychoanalytic and culturally critical reading of two of the most influential archetypes of male love in the Western tradition – Don Juan and Giacomo Casanova. Through the prism of Freud, Jung, Rank, Kierkegaard, Lacan, de Beauvoir and Benjamin, the motives, ethical implications and attitudes towards women in these figures are analysed. Don Juan is examined as an archetype of destructive, narcissistic passion – compulsive conquest, objectification of the partner and denial of intimacy, which leads to tragic self-destruction. Casanova, by contrast, embodies mature, reciprocal hedonism – the pursuit of mutual pleasure, respect for the woman as an equal subject and emotional harmony, without mythical punishment. The comparison highlights the two poles of male desire: destructive narcissism versus constructive Eros. In a contemporary context – the era of digital dating platforms, the #MeToo movement and the critique of toxic masculinity – the article discusses how these archetypes continue to influence intimate relationships and public debates on consent, emotional responsibility and equality.The feminist and Lacanian perspective shows that Don Juan remains a warning about objectifying power, while Casanova offers a (controversial) model for ethical erotica based on reciprocity and humanity. The conclusion emphasises the need to transcend these poles towards a more responsible and egalitarian form of love.
In the conditions of the 21st century, civic groups exert a significant communication impact on institutions through social media. Social values manifest themselves in the process of interaction, strengthening the influence on state bodies, as they reveal the moral guidelines used in public pressure. The purpose of the study is to highlight the key role of value dimensions in this process and to show how they can contribute to the formation and change of public attitudes towards institutions in the digital environment. By applying a case study approach as a type of qualitative methodology, social values are tracked that are most often articulated in the Bulgarian media and have the potential to strengthen the communication influence of civic groups. The results obtained show that the emphasis on moral standards in the communication process is a significant factor in the effectiveness of the impact on institutions in social media. The analysis of cases is important because it shows how the influence of civic groups on institutions in social media is carried out - a process that is gaining increasing importance in the modern world.
In the context of dynamic social and technological transformations, internal communication has emerged as a key factor for the effective functioning of modern organizations. This article examines the role of internal communication standards as a strategic instrument for improving management processes. It outlines theoretical approaches to internal communication and communication management, with a particular emphasis on the importance of standardized communication practices for enhancing managerial transparency, ensuring efficient information exchange, and fostering employee engagement. The study draws on examples from institutional and corporate practice, as well as findings from an empirical survey conducted among employees across various organizations in Bulgaria. The results indicate that the presence of clearly defined communication rules, procedures, and channels contributes to more effective management of organizational processes and strengthens trust between leadership and employees.
This study examines the perceptions of Bulgarian audiences toward AI influencers, specifically those created for the social experiment "The Dundarevs’ Family" on TikTok. Findings from an online survey of 131 respondents indicate that simulacra elicit positive emotions such as laughter, sympathy, and a sense of closeness. Nevertheless, respondents express caution regarding the authenticity and social legitimacy of these virtual entities. Age emerges as a significant factor: younger users are more adept at recognizing synthetic content and tend to be more critical, whereas older users exhibit greater hesitancy. The exposure effect is also evident, as regular interaction with AI content increases both tolerance and willingness to follow virtual influencers. Despite these trends, skepticism remains prevalent, resulting in a gap between conceptual acceptance and actual willingness to engage with synthetic images. The status of AI influencers within Bulgarian digital culture is currently fluid; while simulacra effectively engage and entertain, they have yet to achieve social legitimacy.
As social media increasingly dominate human interactions, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in determining the integration processes of immigrant students in host societies has become a central theme in educational research. This study sheds light on the dual influence of social media algorithms on the integration of immigrant students within the Greek educational context. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 102 educators in order to examine their perceptions of AI as either a bridge or a barrier to inclusion. Data reveal a lack of consensus concerning the effectiveness of AI to create bonds between immigrant students and members of the local school community, with a significant percentage of respondents remaining neutral, suggesting that the influence of algorithms is often invisible. Analysis of the data further reveals that even though algorithms can facilitate integration by exposing users to diverse content, they can also reinforce stereotypes by creating filter bubbles. Educators expressed concerns about data privacy, the spread of misinformation, and the dissemination of xenophobic narratives resulting from the presence of AI in the digital world. The study concludes that for AI to foster inclusion, systemic changes are needed, including content moderation and diverse representation. The importance of this study lies in its ability to reveal the hidden digital barriers that often impede students’ integration in educational settings. These findings can have direct applications for educational policies, highlighting the need for AI-specific digital literacy training for educators and the development of more transparent algorithmic curation.
The present study investigates educational inequalities and the challenges of intercultural education in Western Attica, a region characterized by intense socio-economic and spatial inequalities, a high concentration of vulnerable social groups, and significant cultural heterogeneity. Drawing on empirical data from primary research, as well as contemporary theoretical approaches in the sociology of education and intercultural pedagogy, the study highlights the mechanisms through which the school reproduces or, potentially, alleviates social inequalities. The analysis focuses on factors such as students' socio-economic background, linguistic and cultural diversity, the infrastructure of school units, and the educational practices implemented within the teaching framework. The findings demonstrate that, despite institutional efforts to promote inclusion, significant barriers to the equal access and participation of all students in the learning process still exist. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the teacher as an agent of change, as well as the need for systematic training in intercultural competence and differentiated instruction. At the same time, the importance of educational policy and local administration in shaping a more just and inclusive school environment is highlighted. The study concludes with proposals for strengthening educational equality in Western Attica, underlining the need for holistic interventions that combine pedagogical, social, and political dimensions. The findings contribute to the broader scientific dialogue on education in socially vulnerable areas and can be utilized in the design of targeted educational policies.
We live in an age where artificial intelligence has permeated our daily lives in many ways. One area in which artificial intelligence has penetrated is education. Its rapid development has significantly impacted the field of education, creating new opportunities but also raising serious concerns. This article systematically examines the negative impacts of artificial intelligence on the educational process, focusing on issues such as the decline in critical thinking, students’ dependence on algorithmic tools, issues of academic integrity, inequalities in access, ethical issues such as the rise in school bullying and the fostering of empathy, the legal issues these problems entail, and the implications for the role of the teacher. It is truly alarming how much daily life in schools, as well as the out-of-school lives of pupils and teachers, has been affected by artificial intelligence. Through a review of recent literature, we can see that the uncontrolled integration of artificial intelligence is very likely to undermine fundamental pedagogical principles, making a critical and balanced approach necessary.
The article explores the impact of regional disparities in Bulgarian book publishing with a focus on its concentration in the capital city of Sofia. It presents and discusses statistical data and sociological surveys related to book production and reading practices. This paper not only examines the reasons for the territorial imbalance in book publishing but also identifies its economic and social consequences. The comparative analysis of statistical data leads to the conclusion that the discrepancies in quantitative parameters, such as the number of books and print-runs, could lead to considerable discrepancies in access to books and reading attitudes. Finally, the study foresees a further increase in the territorial imbalance in the Bulgarian book industry as a sustainable trend with long-term economic, social, and cultural effects.
This article analyzes Akita Prefecture's role in rural revitalization through affective and visual strategies, concentrating on the exhibition "People Captivated by Akita" (秋田にハマった人々展) and its corresponding website www.a-iju.jp. Utilizing Actor–Network Theory (ANT), visual ethnography, and discourse analysis, the study conceptualizes these media not solely as promotional instruments but as performative infrastructures that convert demographic policy into emotional experiences. Through direct field observation of the exhibition at JR Akita Station (December 2024–January 2025) and qualitative analysis of eight highlighted migrant profiles, the paper delineates the collaboration of governmental entities, digital platforms, and emotional narratives in the creation of an “ideal migrant assemblage.” Akita's campaign exemplifies affective governance by integrating digital and physical representations to evoke emotion, imagery, and storytelling, thereby making migration appealing. But this visibility also hides structural weaknesses like aging, gendered labor, and inequality between regions. By examining the interaction of both visible and invisible entities, such as policy institutions, technologies, migrants, and affective publics, the article elucidates how rural revitalization in Japan functions as both a cultural spectacle and an administrative network. The research enhances a symmetrical sociology of rural policy, positing that revitalization should be perceived not merely as demographic intervention but as a continuous negotiation of emotion, representation, and agency that influences modern conceptions of rural belonging in Japan.
The article examines the teleological transition of the child in the community as an analytical framework for understanding socialization and the child`s participation as an active social agent. The aim is to analyze how the child interprets, adapts, and transforms social expectations in open (family, school, peers) and closed (institutionalized) communities. The study is conceptual and analytical, based on the sociology of childhood and classical theoretical approaches. The main categories (community, identity, and socialization) allow tracing a child`s participation in the social order and the construction of identity within normative constraints. The results show that the teleological transition is realized through bidirectional interaction: the child complies with social norms but also transforms them through everyday practices and adaptive strategies. The model highlights the importance of community context for the formation of identity and the child`s social action. Practical applications include opportunities for developing interventions and policies that support children`s social participation. The limitation is the conceptual nature of the study, with empirical validation remaining a task for future research.
This study examines the evolution of the concept of the creative class, beginning with R. Florida’s interpretations and questioning its role in shaping culture as a profit-generating factor within cities designated as European Capitals of Culture. The research presents a critical examination of the approaches various authors have taken in developing taxonomies of cultural capital, focusing exclusively on the social dynamics of the cultural class and its role in transforming cultural capital into economic capital. By closely examining the contexts in which the concept of “creative class” has been used either too restrictively, or conflated with that of the “cultural class” in an overly broad extension, I argue that these distinctions are fundamental to recovering and understanding the phenomenon of social inequality—manifested, on the one hand, between residents and the creative class per se, and on the other hand, among different creative communities within this class. Finally, the study identifies several defining features of the European cultural class and observes the priorities assumed by the European Capitals of Culture in fostering and supporting this social nucleus.
Digital transformation is changing the way leaders interact with their teams, creating new challenges for maintaining a high quality of life and mental well-being among employees. In the conditions of a rapidly changing digital era and global challenges, traditional hierarchical models based on authority and control are giving way to new approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence, collaboration, and sustainable development. These new paradigms seek to integrate individual and organizational efforts to achieve common goals, placing emphasis on the well-being of people and communities. In this context, leadership is no longer perceived only as the exercise of power, but as a process of inspiration, support and creating an environment in which all members of the organization can develop and contribute to the achievement of common goals. By taking into account the needs of employees, technology can be an ally in enhancing individual well-being, if accompanied by effective leadership practices. As a result, leadership becomes a significant factor in improving the quality of life of every employee in a company and its overall results.
