Hallyu is the Korean Wave andit is referred to the increasing South Korean popularity and their culture. This began to happen during the '90s of the 20th century and is still a relevant issue. It was related to dramas and music on television in Asia, but the wave went global with the help of YouTube. Western societies became interested in the Korean culture and that is why it became so popular. Today, South Korea exports its culture and its influence can be compared to the influence of Western and American culture. Therefore, hallyu is used as a power of boosting the economy and to influence American culture as well. South Korea invests in their creative talents which is why they produce so much content each year. Entertainment is a great part of the culture because it helps spread other elements of the culture as well. Although it all begins with fun, the final outcome is educational and increases the budget and the influence of South Korea. This phenomenon is becoming global and is helping Korean market expand its influence all over the world, not just in the U.S. and this is fostered by social networks and other platforms used for entertainment. The government of South Korea hopes that this process will be mutual and that Koreans will also accept Western culture and its influence. This would bring people of the world together and create a more peaceful globalized society.
Research articles
1. South Korea in 2005: Economic Dynamism, Generational Conflicts, and Social Transformations
Since 2005 there has been constant progress in the economic and political domains of South Korea. Hwang Woo Suk’s scientific breakthrough with the stem cells “and the phenomenal popularity of South Korean popular culture both suggest South Korea as a dynamic society and emerging soft power, excelling at once in science and the arts” (Lie & Park, 2006, p. 56). Hallyu became popular through music, film and TV series and this spread all over the world. South Korea “is actively and aggressively investing around the world” (Lie & Park, 2006, p. 57). Therefore, the economy is growing and the political situation is stable. The sectors which are innovative are high-tech and there are investments in industry, technology and culture. “South Korea stands for its cultural exports: Korean-style popular culture, especially its wildly successful TV dramas” (Lie & Park, 2006, p. 61). South Korea has pro-American lifestyle and that is why it is so appealing in the U.S. The situation in South Korea makes it possible for their culture to be spread: “The phenomenal popularity of weblogs, chat rooms, and online games has generated an alternative reality for many South Koreans” (Lie & Park, 2006, p. 62). The research question that follows from this review is related to the communication model that explains the research topic.
2. China Inc., Limited
There has been the expansion of South Korean culture throughout the Asian region as well as on a global level: “the popularity of Korean cultural products such as pop music and television drama series rose to great economic and cultural significance throughout the region” (Choi, 2010, p. 144). Although Chinese films are popular in South Korea, Korean films as well as Hollywood films are given more space. There was always a cultural phenomenon which was popular at a certain time all over the world and it was, for example Bruce Lee as a Chinese export. The question is what will be popular after Hallyu because the trends are changing all the time. South Korea is monitoring the distribution of foreign films in their country so that their own production is mostly represented. “With investment finance flowing in from Korean conglomerates such as Samsung and Daewoo and then from venture capitalists, the Korean industry started producing films with both entertainment value and slick visual style” (Choi, 2010, p. 147). The success of hallyu stems from the investments made into production. The research question is related to the past research.
3. Localized Globalization and a Monster National: "The Host" and the South Korean Film Industry
The success of South Korean wave lies in the fact that the films are produced for a global market. However, there is a difference between Hollywood films and South Korean production because “in non-Western countries the blockbuster can be translated into something else and then recreated into its own distinctive and plural forms” (Lee, 2011, p. 45). There is the globalization of the South Korean film industry and that is what makes success on a global level. “The Korean blockbuster strives to emulate Hollywood while also demonizing it by casting it in the role of Other” (Lee, 2011, p. 46). This article also examines the success of the film The Host which is related to its topic. The research question that follows this review is related to the way that existing literature informs the research of this topic.
4. Undoing Inter-national Fandom in the Age of Brand Nationalism
It has to be determined what does it mean to be a fan and then to study the factors which lead to the establishment of fandom in any country. “Fan could be understood as an imaginative prosumer (producer-consumer) and approreader (appropriator-reader) who does not just passively consume media texts but actively and creatively participates in their cultural signification processes” (Iwabuchi 81). Hallyu is becoming globally popular and fans are not passive observers, because they are actively participating in the process of the consummation of culture. There are patterns of behavior they are adopting and comparing to their own patterns and cultural customs. The audience has become transnational and that is why there is a reciprocity between South Korea and the U.S. The research question that follows from this review is related to communication models that research this topic.
5. Portrait of a Patriot's Son: Philip Ahn and Korean Diasporic Identities in Hollywood
Philip Ahn was the first Korean-American actor who made great success in Hollywood and therefore, opened a new era which introduced the Korean culture and race in Hollywood. “Although Ahn was promoted as an ethnic star at various points in his prolific career (especially during his early years at Paramount), he never achieved the status of a top-billed star, which was a “whites only” club in classical Hollywood cinema” (Chung, 2006, 44). However, he certainly paved the path for the popularity of South Korean culture in the U.S. Ahn was an immigrant and was patriotic as well, but he became a star in the U.S. which was also recognized in Korea. This research question that follows this article is related to the material that is still left to learn about this topic
6. INTRODUCTION: Local Heroes: THE MANY FACES OF KOREAN CINEMA'S PERPETUAL RENAISSANCE
There is a constant improvement in Korean cinema and that is because of the investment made in the culture. “Of course, the ongoing explosion of creativity that comprises – and indeed, season after season, continues to refresh – current South Korean cinema isn’t exactly breaking news” (Stephens, 2004, p. 36). The producers and the directors make sure that the stories can be understood globally. There are many directors who are producing high quality films that are becoming blockbusters around the world. “Korea’s cinephilic citizenry don’t just flock to see heavily hyped releases at the multiplex. They are also avid readers of two glossy film magazines” (Stephens, 2004, p. 37). Their audience is educated and that is also why South Korean cinema is popular. The research question that follows is related to the communication models of spreading the popularity of hallyu.
7. Park Chanwook
This article is an interview with the South Korean film director Park Chanwook and it is insightful because he speaks about the success of South Korean culture in general. It is said in this article about hallyu that Park Chanwook is one of the people responsible for its popularity. He says: “You need a clear vision, for both sound and image, and to be able to communicate this vision well to others” (Chape & Chanwook, 2006, p. 87). He is talking about the success of his films in the U.S. and in other countries. The research question that follows is related to the further examination of this topic.
All of these articles serve the purpose of explaining the success of hallyu in the U.S. and the reasons are cultural, political and economic. South Korea is investing profit made from technological industries into promotion of their culture and they are also protecting their heritage. The global success is related to the expansion of means of mass communication.
References
Lie, J., & Park, M. (2006). South Korea in 2005: Economic Dynamism, Generational Conflicts, and Social Transformations. Asian Survey, 46(1), 56-62.
Choi, J. (2010). China Inc., Limited. Cinema Journal, 49(3), 144-149.
Lee, N. J. (2011). Localized Globalization and a Monster National: "The Host" and the South Korean Film Industry. Cinema Journal, 50(3), 45-61.
Iwabuchi, K. (2010). Undoing Inter-national Fandom in the Age of Brand Nationalism. Mechademia, 5, 87-96.
Chung, H. S. (2006). Portrait of a Patriot's Son: Philip Ahn and Korean Diasporic Identities in Hollywood. Cinema Journal, 45(2), 43-67.
Stephens, C. (2004). INTRODUCTION: Local Heroes: THE MANY FACES OF KOREAN CINEMA'S PERPETUAL RENAISSANCE. , 40(6), 36-39.
Chape, E. K., & Chanwook, P. (2006). Park Chanwook. Bomb, 96, 86-91.
