FALL 2025


Splash Biography



PENELOPE PYO, Yale sophomore studying Comparative Literature




Major: Comparative Literature

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2028

Picture of Penelope Pyo

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Hi, my name is Penelope Pyo! I’m from San Francisco, California and I’m passionate about history, literature, culture, and media. My main areas of research interest are Korean history and Ancient Roman literature. I’m also a passionate writer of speculative fiction and historical fiction, and in my free time, I love drawing, fencing, researching Korean music history, and karaokeing with my friends and family!



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

E5242: Judge A Book by Its Cover!: Intro to Book Cover Design in Sprout Fall 2025 (Nov. 15 - 16, 2025)
Do you love reading? Do you love drawing? Do you have strong opinions? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is perfect for you! A book cover communicates a lot of information to the viewer: story, themes, atmosphere, genre, etc. But a cover also has to be sold to consumers. We will explore the history of book cover design, investigate how designers infuse covers with meaning, discuss the role marketing plays in book cover creation, and try our hands at designing our own book covers! Readers, artists, and learners of all levels are welcome!


H5152: From Sorcerers to Space Cowboys: Intro to Speculative Fiction in Splash Fall 2025 (Oct. 04, 2025)
Dragons, cyborgs, and mermaids, oh my! Speculative fiction is the umbrella term for stories that take place in settings different from reality. Speculative fiction subgenres include: fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, dystopia, apocalyptic, and more! We will learn about the history of speculative fiction, different branches of the genre, and tips on how to craft your own speculative fiction stories and worlds! Whether you’re an aspiring fantasy author, avid science fiction reader, or a curious adventurer, all who are interested in exploring the wild, weird, and wonderful world of speculative fiction are welcome! Students should bring a writing utensil & something to write on!


H5199: The Evolution of Korean Rock Music in Splash Fall 2025 (Oct. 04, 2025)
Before the rise of K-Pop in the 1990s, the music that captivated generations of Korean youth was rock. From 1970s college music festivals to 21st century K-Drama soundtracks, Korean rock’s impact on Korean music history is vast and varied. We will trace Korean rock from its roots in U.S. military bases during the 1950s. How did Korean rock music develop alongside youth subculture in 1960s-1970s South Korea? Why was rock music so threatening to the South Korean government in the 1970s? How did musicians and listeners navigate and resist government censorship? How did Korean rock evolve to new contexts and into new genres? This course hopes to inspire students to further explore the rich world of Korean music! No previous knowledge of Korean language, history, or music is required–just an excitement for learning about music!


E5116: From Sorcerers to Space Cowboys: Intro to Speculative Fiction in Sprout Spring 2025 (Apr. 05 - 12, 2025)
Dragons, cyborgs, and mermaids, oh my! Speculative fiction is the umbrella term for stories that take place in settings different from reality. Speculative fiction subgenres include: fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, dystopia, apocalyptic, and more! We will learn about the history of speculative fiction, different branches of the genre, and tips on how to craft your own speculative fiction stories and worlds! Whether you’re an aspiring fantasy author, avid science fiction reader, or a curious adventurer, all who are interested in exploring the wild, weird, and wonderful world of speculative fiction are welcome!


H5016: From Sorcerers to Space Cowboys: Intro to Speculative Fiction in Splash Spring 2025 (Mar. 02, 2025)
Dragons, cyborgs, and mermaids, oh my! Speculative fiction is the umbrella term for stories that take place in settings different from reality. Speculative fiction subgenres include: fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, dystopia, apocalyptic, and more! We will learn about the history of speculative fiction, different branches of the genre, and tips on how to craft your own speculative fiction stories and worlds! Whether you’re an aspiring fantasy author, avid science fiction reader, or a curious adventurer, all who are interested in exploring the wild, weird, and wonderful world of speculative fiction are welcome! Students should bring a writing utensil & something to write on!


H4959: From Sorcerers to Space Cowboys: Intro to Speculative Fiction in Splash Fall 2024 (Nov. 09, 2024)
Dragons, cyborgs, and mermaids, oh my! Speculative fiction is the umbrella term for stories that take place in settings different from reality. Speculative fiction subgenres includes: fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero fiction, dystopia, apocalyptic, and more! In this course, we will explore the history of speculative fiction, different branches of the genre, and tips on how to craft your own speculative fiction stories and worlds! Whether you’re an aspiring fantasy author, avid science fiction reader, or simply a curious adventurer, all who are interested in diving into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of speculative fiction are welcome!