Korean wave
The
Korean wave refers to the popularity of
South Korean popular culture in other Asian countries and is otherwise known as "Hallyu"; it has been likened to the
British Invasion. The term was coined in
China in
2001. The "Hallyu" or Korean wave began with the export of
Korean TV dramas such as
Winter Sonata across
East and
Southeast Asia; the growing success of Korean drama was shortly matched in the fields of
movies and
popular music. The Wave is a source of pride for South Koreans.[
1]
The phenomenon does not extend to
North Korean shows or movies, which have never found more than a tiny audience abroad.
The term "Korean Wave" is a Chinese pun that also translates directly into Korean. Both '流 ("cold current") and 韩流 (Korean Wave) are pronounced "han-liu" (or "hanryu" or "halryu" in Korean).
Initially, many Asian television companies broadcast Korean shows because the productions were impressive-looking but cheap to purchase. As their exposure increased, they resonated with audiences and their popularity grew; by
2000 the Wave was in full swing. Today, observers generally agree that the most likely explanations for the popularity of South Korean shows, singers, and movies throughout Asia is due both to South Korea's high income levels and to the closer cultural affinity they can share as Asian countries.[
2]
South Korea is now the 10th largest economy in the world (reports has suggested that it is also the world's 9th largest film market), and its entertainment companies are able to finance shows and movies with production values much higher than in much of Asia. Korean pop singers' performances are slickly produced and often feature spectacular laser and fireworks shows.
Probably more importantly, though, the shows and movies have themes that Asian audiences can relate to more easily than those of western entertainment. Korean dramas typically deal with family issues, love, and filial piety in an age of changing technology and values. The shows typically reinforce traditional values of
Confucianism. Whilst Asian audiences have been both anxious about the potential corrosive effect of western culture and experiencing so many of the same issues as South Koreans, it has been suggested that they find that the melodrama and family messages of the dramas speak to them. The drama
Jewel in the Palace drew more viewers in
Hong Kong than any program in the previous 25 years.
The phenomenon is not limited to pop culture. Recent years have seen an increase in interest in the
Korean language and in traditional Korean dress; some Chinese brides have even chosen to wear Korean
hanbok in their wedding pictures (though this may be attributed to the 2 million ethnic Koreans living in China). There is a theme park in
Seoul where foreign tourists can explore the sets of their favorite shows and wear the robes of Korean kings.[
3]
In
2005 there were signs of a nascent backlash against the Korean Wave, just as there have been protests against the importing of Western pop culture. Vietnam's government even threatened to ban the broadcast of Korean dramas if Vietnamese shows were not broadcast more on Vietnamese TV stations.[
4]
Taiwan considered limits on the broadcast of foreign shows. China also considered boycotting or limiting the amount of Korean imports in the entertainment sector. [
5] In
Japan, a comic book with a title usually translated as "
Hating the Korean Wave" sold enough copies that a sequel is being planned. Koreans accused the book of promoting hatred and containing historical inaccuracies.[
6][
7][
8] In a tit-for-tat move, South Korean cartoonist Yang Byeong-seol published a comic book called "
The Hate Japan Wave".
Some South Koreans have questioned why the government has not been able to extend Korea's cultural exports into the manufacturing sector.
*
Contemporary culture of South Korea*
Cinema of Korea*
K-pop*
List of Korea-related topics*
The Asian Entertainment Fans Network for Korean Pop*
The Top Internet community for fans of Korean pop culture - RUKorean.COM*
The Korea Foundation for Asian Culture Exchange*
"'Korean Wave' Piracy Hits Music Industry", BBC, November 9, 2001.
*
"'Korean Wave' Hits Asia Lifting S. Korean Tourism", Yonhap News, December 15, 2005.
*
"A rising Korean wave: If Seoul sells it, China craves it", The International Herald Tribune, January 10, 2006.
*
"Hallyu Phenomenon Faces Backlash in East Asia", The Korea Times, January 16, 2006.
*
"Hallyu and Screen Quota", The Korea Times, January 18, 2006.
