Hello Hallyu: Why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe? | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Hello Hallyu: Why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
Hello Hallyu: Why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
Agence France-Presse,
Hieun Shin and Claire Lee
Published Oct 16, 2024 08:44 AM PHT
K-pop girl group Blackpink at the Philippine stop of its 'Born Pink' concert tour, held in March 25, 2023 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Photo courtesy of YG Entertainment/File
It's won Oscars. Its television shows and K-pop stars dominate global charts. Its leading novelist just won the Nobel literature prize. How did South Korea become such a global cultural powerhouse?
It's won Oscars. Its television shows and K-pop stars dominate global charts. Its leading novelist just won the Nobel literature prize. How did South Korea become such a global cultural powerhouse?
AFP takes a look at what we know:
AFP takes a look at what we know:
What is Hallyu?
From the late 1990s, Korean dramas and K-pop idols started gaining traction in neighboring Asian countries like China and Japan, marking the start of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave.
From the late 1990s, Korean dramas and K-pop idols started gaining traction in neighboring Asian countries like China and Japan, marking the start of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave.
It wasn't until Psy's breakout hit "Gangnam Style" that Hallyu hit the West.
It wasn't until Psy's breakout hit "Gangnam Style" that Hallyu hit the West.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the decade that followed, "Babyshark" broke YouTube records, K-pop megastars BTS topped the charts, Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" won an Oscar, and "Squid Game" became Netflix's most-watched non-English television show.
In the decade that followed, "Babyshark" broke YouTube records, K-pop megastars BTS topped the charts, Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" won an Oscar, and "Squid Game" became Netflix's most-watched non-English television show.
Cultural exports were worth some $13.2 billion to South Korea in 2022, more than home appliances or electric cars — but the bulk of that was made up of video games, such as Battlegrounds Mobile which are wildly popular in India and Pakistan.
Cultural exports were worth some $13.2 billion to South Korea in 2022, more than home appliances or electric cars — but the bulk of that was made up of video games, such as Battlegrounds Mobile which are wildly popular in India and Pakistan.
The government is targeting $25 billion by 2027, so expect more K-culture, especially in new markets such as Europe and the Middle East.
The government is targeting $25 billion by 2027, so expect more K-culture, especially in new markets such as Europe and the Middle East.
Why South Korea?
For Oscar-winning "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho, the key to the East Asian country's cultural success is that everyone has lived through "dramatic times."
For Oscar-winning "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho, the key to the East Asian country's cultural success is that everyone has lived through "dramatic times."
The 1950s Korean War — which left Seoul locked in conflict with its nuclear-armed northern neighbor — military dictatorship, sweeping economic transformation, and a democratic transition.
The 1950s Korean War — which left Seoul locked in conflict with its nuclear-armed northern neighbor — military dictatorship, sweeping economic transformation, and a democratic transition.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the South, many have "experienced turbulence and extreme events," Bong has said. As a result "our movies can't help but different."
In the South, many have "experienced turbulence and extreme events," Bong has said. As a result "our movies can't help but different."
South Korea "provides creators with ample inspiration and stimulation. It's such a dynamic and turbulent place," he said.
South Korea "provides creators with ample inspiration and stimulation. It's such a dynamic and turbulent place," he said.
Renowned South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook had a similar answer when asked for the secret of his country's cinematic success. "Why don't you try living in 'dynamic Korea?'" he replied.
Renowned South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook had a similar answer when asked for the secret of his country's cinematic success. "Why don't you try living in 'dynamic Korea?'" he replied.
South Korean author Han Kang, who won the Man Booker International Prize, poses for a photo during her first press conference since the award, in Seoul on May 24, 2016. South Korean author Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024, it was announced on October 10, 2024. Jung Yeon-Je, AFP/FileAnd K-literature?
South Korean author Han Kang, who won the Man Booker International Prize, poses for a photo during her first press conference since the award, in Seoul on May 24, 2016. South Korean author Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024, it was announced on October 10, 2024. Jung Yeon-Je, AFP/FileAnd K-literature?Turning contemporary history into art is what 53-year-old novelist Han Kang, who won the literature Nobel Thursday, excels at.
Turning contemporary history into art is what 53-year-old novelist Han Kang, who won the literature Nobel Thursday, excels at.
Han has spoken of the transformative experience of learning about a 1980 massacre in her native Gwangju, when South Korea's then-military government violently repressed a democratic uprising.
Han has spoken of the transformative experience of learning about a 1980 massacre in her native Gwangju, when South Korea's then-military government violently repressed a democratic uprising.
ADVERTISEMENT
Han said her father showed her photographs including the scattered bodies of victims, and citizens lining up to donate blood in the chaos — which later inspired her book "Human Acts."
Han said her father showed her photographs including the scattered bodies of victims, and citizens lining up to donate blood in the chaos — which later inspired her book "Human Acts."
While many South Korean authors have delved into the themes of the country's traumatic past, Han established her own "striking literary aesthetic" while addressing challenging subjects, said Oh Hyung-yup, a Korean literature professor at Korea University and literary critic.
While many South Korean authors have delved into the themes of the country's traumatic past, Han established her own "striking literary aesthetic" while addressing challenging subjects, said Oh Hyung-yup, a Korean literature professor at Korea University and literary critic.
Women first?
South Korea has some of the worst rates of female workforce participation among advanced economies, but for cultural exports women have been trailblazers.
South Korea has some of the worst rates of female workforce participation among advanced economies, but for cultural exports women have been trailblazers.
Han's Booker-winning novel "The Vegetarian," which follows a woman who stops eating meat, is regarded as a landmark ecofeminism text. But it was outsold internationally by Cho Nam-Joo's "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982" about a married South Korean woman who quits her job to raise her child.
Han's Booker-winning novel "The Vegetarian," which follows a woman who stops eating meat, is regarded as a landmark ecofeminism text. But it was outsold internationally by Cho Nam-Joo's "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982" about a married South Korean woman who quits her job to raise her child.
As the first Asian woman to win a Nobel for literature, it is appropriate that Han Kang's work addresses violence in ways that male authors have not in the past, Kang Ji-hee, a South Korean literary critic, told AFP.
As the first Asian woman to win a Nobel for literature, it is appropriate that Han Kang's work addresses violence in ways that male authors have not in the past, Kang Ji-hee, a South Korean literary critic, told AFP.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Han Kang reinterpreted this type of internal struggle," Kang said, documenting behaviors "that were previously considered to be simply passive, and gave them a whole new meaning."
"Han Kang reinterpreted this type of internal struggle," Kang said, documenting behaviors "that were previously considered to be simply passive, and gave them a whole new meaning."
Hallyu fans wear traditional Korean clothing hanbok and pose for a picture at the K-Park in Glorietta Mall in Makati City on March 9, 2024. The park features a towering gate and pavilion to give mallgoers a K-drama and K-pop feel. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileSo was it the government?
Hallyu fans wear traditional Korean clothing hanbok and pose for a picture at the K-Park in Glorietta Mall in Makati City on March 9, 2024. The park features a towering gate and pavilion to give mallgoers a K-drama and K-pop feel. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileSo was it the government?With the growing success of K-culture exports across the board — from film to food, with Korean staples like kimchi and bibimbap soaring in popularity overseas — it seems like part of a masterplan.
With the growing success of K-culture exports across the board — from film to food, with Korean staples like kimchi and bibimbap soaring in popularity overseas — it seems like part of a masterplan.
But while the South Korean government has ploughed millions into supporting cultural industries, experts say success has come largely despite, not because, of the state.
But while the South Korean government has ploughed millions into supporting cultural industries, experts say success has come largely despite, not because, of the state.
When former-president Park Geun-hye was in power from 2013 to 2017, Nobel-winner Han was one of over 9,000 artists "blacklisted" for criticising her government, along with Bong.
When former-president Park Geun-hye was in power from 2013 to 2017, Nobel-winner Han was one of over 9,000 artists "blacklisted" for criticising her government, along with Bong.
Some government initiatives, for example the government-affiliated Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), may have paid off, helping to bring works like Han's to a global audience.
Some government initiatives, for example the government-affiliated Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), may have paid off, helping to bring works like Han's to a global audience.
ADVERTISEMENT
But a growing number of translators, who are more adventurous with their choice of works, have also helped to bring edgier offers to the international market.
But a growing number of translators, who are more adventurous with their choice of works, have also helped to bring edgier offers to the international market.
Success also breeds more success, cultural export-wise: The reading habits of K-pop megastars have boosted K-literature.
Success also breeds more success, cultural export-wise: The reading habits of K-pop megastars have boosted K-literature.
When BTS member Jungkook was seen reading the self-help book "I Decided to Live as Me" it sparked a sales frenzy, with hundreds of thousands of copies flying off shelves.
When BTS member Jungkook was seen reading the self-help book "I Decided to Live as Me" it sparked a sales frenzy, with hundreds of thousands of copies flying off shelves.
But Bong also believes that his compatriots' hard drinking habits helped spur creativity.
But Bong also believes that his compatriots' hard drinking habits helped spur creativity.
"We are a very workaholic country. People work too much. And, at the same time, we drink too much. So every night, very hardcore drinking sessions and everything is very extreme."
"We are a very workaholic country. People work too much. And, at the same time, we drink too much. So every night, very hardcore drinking sessions and everything is very extreme."
For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the Hallyu Corner microsite.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
