Irina Lyan is an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Korean Studies Program at the Department of Asian Studies, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a sociologist who explores South Korea’s national images, imagery, and imagination, and their impact on its economic miracle, also known as the "Miracle on the River Han," and its cultural miracle, also known as "the Korean Wave" or Hallyu. Irina is the recipient of prestigious scholarships and awards, including the Principles of Cultural Dynamics’ fellowship at the Freie Universität Berlin, the World Association of Hallyu Studies’ paper award, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford.