Korean entertainment
In late 1990s, the Korean wave reached Asian countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and others.[5][6] Korean dramas continued to spread throughout Asia, achieving mainstream success in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia,[1][7] as well as establishing niche markets in Europe[8][9] and North America.[10]
Korean pop music, referred to as "K-pop" (an abbreviation of "Korean pop"), has played a significant role in the Korean wave.[11][12] In recent years, Korean entertainment companies have recognized YouTubeas a key component for spreading Korean culture.[9] According to Bernie Cho, the president of the DFSB Kollective (a Seoul-based agency specializing in the marketing of international K-pop acts),[13] Korean entertainment companies are "aggressively steering their efforts to go international via the Internet".[14]
According to a 2006 Washington Post article, the increased popularity of South Korean entertainment has positively influenced Korean culture in areas such as, food, clothing, video games and Korean language.[1][7]
Effects and impact
What started out as a mere cultural observation by a few Chinese journalists has since evolved into a cultural phenomenon that is prevalent in much of Asia and beyond with a growing K-pop fanbase in many places oftentimes no different from each other.[15] After its initial spread, the phenomenon has become embedded within mainstream popular culture and music in many East and Southeast Asian countries, but remains a niche interest in European and North American countries, with little widespread popularity to be seen.[15] The effects and impact of the cultural phenomenon was predicted to decrease in its formative years,[16] but recent trends suggest otherwise.[17] Korean culture exports are predicted to reach up to $3.8 billion in revenue in 2011, a 14% increase from the previous year.[11] Although the Korean wave has reached new heights,[which?] concerns have been issued about long-term stable growth of Korean culture exports.[18]
For many Koreans, the phenomenon is a source of national pride.[citation needed]
Lee Dong Yeun, in a paper for the Korea Journal, states that "if the Korean Wave continues to surge, reflecting the diplomatic relations that supports a capitalist logic rather than [...] diversifying the cultural taste of the masses, then it will have to put up a hard fight against China's ethnocentrism and Japan's malleable nationalism."[17]
In recent times, Korean male celebrities are among the highest-paid actors outside of Hollywood.[19] According to the South Korean media, Winter Sonata star Bae Yong Joon is now charging US$5 million a film; the highest in Asia. At least nine other Korean male stars earn more than $10 million a year.[7] The celebrity culture serves as a tourist magnet for international visitors.[19]
Tourism to South Korea has increased significantly since the spread of the cultural phenomenon. From 2003 to 2004, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea increased from 2.8 million to 3.7 million.[7]Television content, films, and music have been utilized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KCCA) of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to bring increased interest of the country.[20]
Announced in 2008, Korea's largest Kpop export TVXQ/DBSK/Tohoshinki made the Guinness World Records for having the world's largest official fan club. Cassiopeia, the band's official fan club, have more than 800,000 official members in South Korea, more than 200,000[citation needed] official members in Japan (BigEast) and more than 200,000 international fans (iCassies). They also made the Guinness World Records a second time in 2009. Aside from having the world's largest fan club, the group was also listed as the most photographed celebrities in the world. (However, this record was not recorded on the "Guinness World Records.[21][22]) "From the day of their debut to March 19, 2009, the five members are estimated to have been photographed about 500 million times in magazines, albums jackets, and commercials, etc. The total figure includes individual photos as well as group pictures", the Korean broadcasting station reported it[23]
Aside from the obvious economic benefits, hallyu also gave Korea political power. The Korea wave's worldwide cultural influence translated into soft power of South Korea, increasing its voice in the global political arena. Due to the wave, South Korea's national image improved noticeably-from a war stricken and poor country to a trendy and advanced one. A survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in 2008 found that about 80% of respondents from China, Japan and Vietnam (three of the largest markets for hallyu) look to South Korean culture with high respect.[24] Recognizing the soft power that hallyu grants upon Korea, the South Korean government actively utilizes the Korean pop culture in establishing or improving diplomatic relations. Celebrities are invited to various political affairs[25] and often serve as honorary ambassadors of political campaigns.
Criticism
Korean pop culture has been criticized in many of the places where its influence has spread, as is the case in nations such as Japan, China, and Taiwan. Existing anti-Korean attitudes may be rooted in historical hatreds and ethnic nationalism.[17][54] In Japan, an anti-Korean comic book, Hating the Korean Wave or Hate Korea: A Comic was released in July 26, 2005, which became a #1 bestseller onAmazon.co.jp. Japanese actor Sousuke Takaoka openly showed his dislike for the Korean wave on his Twitter, which triggered an internet movement to boycott Korean programming on Japanese television on the 8th of August.[55] On February 1, 2012, Al Jazeera revealed "punishing schedules and contracts, links to prostitution and corruption" in the industry.[56] Anti-Korean attitude also spiked when Tae-Hee Kim, a Korean actress, was selected to be on a Japanese TV soap opera in 2011. Since she was an activist for the Dokdo movement in Korea, some Japanese people were enraged that she would be on the Japanese TV show. There was a protest against Tae-Hee Kim in Japan, and it became a protest against the Korean wave on 17 October 2011.[57]
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