Are you a fan of K-pop or K-drama? Or use Korean beauty products in daily life? It’s become quite normal nowadays to be very familiar with South Korean trends. But we haven’t thought deeply about this matter. This tradition or trend is like a wave in the whole ocean of the world’s culture.
The Korean Wave, often known as “Hallyu,” has had a significant influence on modern life worldwide, influencing everything from cuisine trends to fashion styles, cosmetic routines, musical tastes, and even language usage.
Hallyu has significantly boosted Korea’s economy, contributing to 0.2% of its GDP in 2004 and an estimated USD 12.3 billion in 2019. South Korea has become the world’s 12th-largest economy in the last two decades. Know major aspects of the Korean Wave’s influence on food, fashion, media, and society:
1 . Food:
Popularity of Korean cuisine :
The popularity of Korean food has exploded over the last decades because of the Korean wave. It started with K-pop and K-dramas and then expanded to the culinary world, leading to a surge of interest in foods like bulgogi (marinated beef), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and of course, the beloved kimchi.
The aesthetics of Korean food:
Koreans portray their family tradition and culture to the audience through their media and also publish their cuisine. The portrayal of food in K-dramas as a symbol of family, tradition, and warmth resonated deeply with audiences, creating an emotional connection to Korean cuisine. So, Korean food has also become a tool of cultural diplomacy.
- Fashion:
Clothing trends:
People now prefer baggy clothes rather than tight clothes because of the trends of Koreans. Particularly, they follow the streetwear styles because they think it is not comfortable and aesthetic to be worn under the influence of Korean culture.
Korean beauty standards:
Have you ever tried rice water on your skin or hair?
This trend of using rice water is increasing immensely because of the Korean beauty standard. They popularize their skincare items and routines, especially impressive in getting flawless skin. But often advertisements are very leading because they promote unrealistic beauty standards, which can be misleading for some people.
- Entertainment and Media:
The dominance of K-pop in the music industry:
There is rarely anyone found who has not heard of BTS or Black Pink’s name! These are the most popular pop brands, and also some very popular artists and groups like PSY, CL, HyunA, BTS, EXO, and BLACKPINK have helped spread the K-pop craze worldwide.
K-dramas and Korean Cinema:
Korean dramas are well known for their excellent production values, realistic plots, and endearing characters. Because of their captivating plots and excellent production quality, K-dramas have become extremely popular outside of Korea. These dramas are now available to a worldwide audience because of platforms like Netflix, which have increased their appeal. A global audience has been exposed to Korean culture and societal issues through shows like “Crash Landing on You,” “Goblin,” and “Itaewon Class,” which have become cultural phenomena.
- Social Impact:
Cultural exchange:
By encouraging intercultural communication, the Korean Wave has made it easier to comprehend Korean customs and culture. This internet effect is demonstrated by the “Korean Wave” (Hallyu), in which Korean cultural products—such as music, movies, and fashion—instantaneously reach a worldwide audience. Additionally, social media has made it possible for fans all over the world to interact more with Korean culture, which has promoted cultural interchange and a sense of community.
Tourism in Korea :
Fans of Korean culture who are keen to visit the places highlighted in their preferred media have significantly increased travel to South Korea. With 17.5 million visitors in 2019, Korea’s tourism industry brought in USD 21.5 billion. The Korean government intends to raise its tourism revenues to USD 35 billion annually by 2023, when South Korea’s foreign visitor numbers are expected to grow at a yearly pace of 3.3% to reach about 1.8 billion.
Developing a Positive Image of Korea: The Korean Wave has contributed to the globalization of South Korea’s image. As more and more Korean superstars are incorporated into the social fabric of fashion, Korean popular culture has had a big influence on the worldwide fashion business. K-pop girl groups such as Girls’ Generation, Hyuna from 4Minute, and CL from 2NE1 have visited New York.
Korean culture has been enthralling audiences worldwide with its distinctive fusion of history and contemporary, from K-pop to Korean food. A unique window into the values, traditions, and artistic expressions that have developed over millennia is provided by this dynamic culture, which is entrenched in a rich history and diverse past.
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Writer
Mafroha Somiya
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE