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The Rise of Korean Pop Culture
Oct 5, 2024
Korean Pop Culture and Hallyu
Overview
Korean pop culture is experiencing rapid global popularity.
Parasite
: First foreign language film to win Best Picture Oscar.
Squid Game
: Most watched Netflix show and a surprise hit costing less than AUD $30 million but expected to earn around $1.2 billion.
BTS
: Biggest boy band in the world, with their song debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Hallyu: The Korean Wave
Definition
: Hallyu ("wave of Korea") refers to the globalization and exportation of Korean entertainment and culture.
Orchestration
: This movement is a deliberate strategy by the Korean government.
Historical Context
Korean War (1950-1953)
: Resulted in the division of Korea and shaped societal challenges.
Dictatorship Era
: Under dictator Park Chung-hee, focus was on industrialization; entertainment was neglected and censored.
Post-Assassination
: After Park's assassination in 1979, focus shifted back to cultural exports.
Influence of Hollywood
Jurassic Park (1993)
: Inspired the South Korean government to invest in media production.
Hollywood blockbusters could generate revenue comparable to large local industries (e.g., Hyundai).
Financial Crisis and Cultural Investment
Asian Financial Crisis (1997)
: South Korea accumulated debt and looked to culture for recovery.
President Kim Dae-jung emphasized the importance of globalizing Korean culture in his inaugural address.
Result: Significant growth in K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean films worldwide.
Social Issues and Cultural Messaging
Korean entertainment often addresses social issues, particularly economic equality.
By 2019, South Korea's entertainment industry was valued at approximately $10.3 billion.
Netflix invested over $1 billion in original Korean content.
Soft Power and Global Influence
Definition
: Soft power refers to the ability to influence others through appeal rather than coercion.
Government Strategy
: The Korean government actively promotes soft power, using global popularity to enhance national image.
Example: BTS performing at the UN.
Tourism Impact
: BTS significantly contributes to South Korea's tourism; one in 13 tourists pre-pandemic visited due to BTS's influence.
Continued Growth of Hallyu
South Korea's gaming industry is thriving, and K-beauty is expanding internationally.
Mukbang
: The phenomenon of watching people eat continues to gain global traction.
Cautionary Note
: Concern about the influence of dark themes, as seen in "Squid Game".
Personal Reflection
Interest in Korean culture often stems from K-pop, highlighting its substantial cultural impact.
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