Thank you very much for the university suggestion! I'll definitely look into them!! I unfortunately don't have very much previous training in any Asian languages, which I know is really detrimental to my acceptance to certain programs. The classes always conflicted with required courses for my BA and now working full-time it's hard to find classes that fit with my schedule. I know learning will take more time but I'm very eager to put in the work! I didn't know that Korean was one of the more hirable East Asian fields! That's super interesting!
tbh I'm pretty equally interested in China/Japan/Korea. For China I'm more interested in ancient art/archeology. For Korea: ancient art and modern art, though particularly the rise of modern art in Korea. And Japan I'm most interested in ancient art, and manga and it's trends and relationship with the rest of the world over the years. I'm also just generally interested in the three countries' influence on each other and the similarities/differences between their art. I'm also very, very much interested in the concept of storytelling through art, whether it's actual stories or history or the artist's life as depicted through art.
I've been looking into East Asian studies because it sounds like it's the area I'm most interested in and I think it would be a good jumping point to getting into a PhD with an East Asian art concentration, but like I said before, I'm really at a disadvantage since I barely know any Chinese/Japanese/Korean.
Thank you very very much for your help again, I really appreciate it!! (also sorry for the really late reply! I didn't get a notif of a response!)