한류

Korean Wave

Recently, South Korea has gained immense popularity worldwide. Thanks to online platforms like YouTube and Netflix, ‘Hallyu(한류)’ has become easily accessible across the globe, allowing people to enjoy it comfortably from anywhere with an internet connection. So, what exactly is 'Hallyu'? Today, we will explore what Hallyu is all about.

1. Etymology and Meaning of Hallyu

Hallyu (韓流) is a term derived from "Han (韓)" meaning Korea and "Ryu (流)" meaning flow or wave, thus translating to "Korean Wave." This term was first used by Chinese media in the late 1990s and has since become a symbolic word representing the global popularity of Korean pop culture.

2. History of Hallyu

Hallyu has spread through various periods and popular culture content.

• Late 1990s: Emergence of Hallyu Korean dramas and films began gaining attention in East Asia. Notable examples include the dramas "Winter Sonata" and "Jewel in the Palace," which were hugely popular in Japan and China, marking the beginning of Hallyu. During this period, content reflecting Korea’s traditional culture and emotions received positive responses from Asian countries.

  

  Winter Sonata

  

  Jewel in the Palace

• Mid-2000s: Integration with K-pop K-pop started to become the core of Hallyu. Groups like BoA, TVXQ, Big Bang, and Girls' Generation gained immense popularity across Asia, with active engagements in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. K-pop concerts in Japan, in particular, formed large fan bases and achieved significant economic success.

  

  BoA

  

  TVXQ

  

  SNSD

  

  Big Bang

• 2010s: Global Hallyu Psy's "Gangnam Style" became a global hit, establishing Hallyu as a global trend. During this period, K-pop groups like BTS, Blackpink, and EXO gained international attention, expanding Hallyu to Europe, North America, and South America. Additionally, Korean films, webtoons, and fashion contributed to the broadening scope of Hallyu.

  

  Psy

  

  BTS

  

  Black Pink

  

  Exo

• 2020s: Expansion and Diversification of Hallyu Korean content like "Squid Game" on Netflix and the Academy Award win for "Parasite" demonstrated the global popularity of Korean content. Hallyu is now no longer limited to K-pop but encompasses all aspects of Korean culture, wielding significant influence worldwide.

  

  Squid Game

Parasite

3. Economic Impact of Hallyu

Hallyu plays a crucial role in the Korean economy, with specific examples and figures illustrating its economic achievements.

• Content Exports: In 2021, South Korea’s content industry exports reached approximately $12.4 billion (about 14.3 trillion won). K-pop and dramas constitute a significant portion of this, with groups like BTS and Blackpink generating billions of won in annual revenue in the global music market.

• Tourism Industry: Hallyu has greatly impacted the tourism industry. A 2019 survey found that about 55% of foreign tourists visiting Korea came for Hallyu-related experiences, resulting in an economic effect of over 12 trillion won annually.

• Product Sales: Products endorsed by Hallyu stars, such as cosmetics, fashion, and food, are popular overseas. For instance, South Korea’s cosmetics exports reached about 8 trillion won in 2020, a 16% increase from the previous year, with around 30% exported to China and Japan.

• Other Examples: Korean traditional foods like kimchi and Korean ramen have gained worldwide popularity due to Hallyu, leading to significant increases in food exports. For example, South Korea’s ramen exports reached approximately $875 million in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year.

4. Influence of Hallyu: Popularity in Japan and Generational Conflicts

Hallyu, particularly among the younger generation in Japan, has gained significant popularity. K-pop, Korean dramas, Korean food, and Korean fashion have become cultural trends among Japanese teenagers and young adults, rapidly spreading through social media.

• Reasons for Hallyu’s Popularity Among Japanese Youth:

  • Charm of K-pop: K-pop idol groups such as BTS, Twice, and Seventeen have captured the interest of Japanese youth with their dazzling performances, fan interaction, and global music style.

    

    Twice

  • Impact of Korean Dramas and Films: Korean dramas and films have gained popularity in Japan for their unique storylines and emotional direction. For example, "Crash Landing on You" and "Squid Game" have generated significant buzz in Japan, expanding the influence of Hallyu.

    

    Crash Landing on You

  • Spread Through Social Media: Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube allow Japanese youth to easily access Korean culture. K-pop fandoms are actively engaging through social media, bringing Korean culture closer to them.

• Generational Conflicts:

  • Historical Sentiments: The older generation in Japan often holds negative perceptions of Korea due to historical conflicts (e.g., colonial rule, comfort women issues), leading to resistance to Korean culture.

    

    Japanese atrocities

    

    Korean Sex Slaves by Japanese imperial

  • Political Tensions: Recent political tensions between Korea and Japan have led some older Japanese to criticize younger generations who consume Korean culture.

  • Cultural Differences: While younger generations embrace Korean culture through Hallyu, the older generation values traditional Japanese culture and tends to view Hallyu critically.

• Decline in Popularity of Japanese Pop Culture:

  • Lack of Creativity: Traditional Japanese pop culture enjoyed long-lasting popularity but is now criticized for a lack of creativity and repetitive patterns in new content development.

  • Domestic Market Focus: Japanese pop culture tends to focus on the domestic market, leading to a decline in global competitiveness.

  • Competition with Hallyu: Hallyu provides a fresh and trendy alternative compared to Japanese pop culture, weakening its appeal among younger audiences.

Kim Gu’s Wish

As Kim Gu(Korea's representative independence activist) said, "Strength is sufficient if it enriches our lives and protects us from invasion. However, if there is anything one endlessly desires, it is the power of high culture." While Japan once sought to dominate and enslave Korean spirit through violent colonial rule, now Korean high culture is captivating Japanese youth.

5. Conclusion

Hallyu is more than just a cultural phenomenon; it significantly impacts South Korea’s economy, politics, and diplomacy. The ongoing growth of Hallyu enhances Korea’s cultural pride, generates economic benefits, and strengthens Korea’s international standing. Particularly in Japan, Hallyu has become a trend among younger generations, causing generational conflicts but also showcasing the powerful influence of Hallyu. Meanwhile, the decline in the popularity of Japanese pop culture further highlights the prominence of Hallyu.