The Korean Wave: What is Hallyu?
Explore How Korean Culture, From K-Pop to K-Dramas, Has Captivated the World
In the past two decades, the term 한류 (Hallyu) or “Korean Wave” has become synonymous with the widespread global appeal of South Korean culture.
Television dramas, films, music, fashion, and even beauty products, Hallyu has transformed South Korea into a cultural powerhouse and given us everything from Squid Game to BTS.
In this blog, we‘ll explore what Hallyu is, how it started, and where it might be headed.
The Korean Wave | What is Hallyu?
The Korean Wave | How Hallyu Started
The Korean Wave | Example Dialogues
The Korean Wave | FAQs
The Korean Wave | What is Hallyu?
한류 (hallyu) or “Korean Wave” refers to the increasing global popularity of South Korean culture, entertainment, and lifestyle. It began as a trend in East Asia in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but it has since grown into a global phenomenon.
– K-Pop: Bands like BTS, Blackpink, EXO, and TWICE have gained international fame, introducing K-pop to the global audience. Now hearing K-pop in Asian or European countries is no new thing!
– K-Dramas: Some K-dramas worth noting are 사랑의 불시착 (sarang-e- bul-shi-chak) Crash Landing on You, 오징어게임(oh-jing-euh-game) Squid Game, and 태양의 후예 (tae-yang-eh hoo-ye) Descendants of the Sun, have captured the hearts of viewers globally.
Through exciting storylines featuring famous celebrities, K-dramas are one of the most popular films to watch in the global entertainment scene.
한국 드라마
han-guk drama
Korean Drama
인기 드라마
in-gee drama
Popular Drama
– K-Beauty: South Korean skincare and cosmetic products are a popular subject of interest. The glass-skin look on celebrities and K-pop artists is a look that many would like to achieve. The advanced skincare treatments are a popular tourist attraction too.
Many dermatology centers provide multi-language services to cater to growing global demand. Skincare products are also known for their aesthetically pleasing packaging, affordable prices, and great formulas that have taken the global beauty industry by storm.
Korean beauty products are now accessible around the world. A must-visit place in Korea is 올리브 영 or Olive Young in English, the Korean version of Sephora!
피부과
pee-bu-gwa
Dermatology center
– K-fashion: Korean streetwear and fashion brands are increasingly influencing global trends. The global audience is increasingly interested in what Korean celebrities are wearing.
– K-cinema: Recently, Korean films have been a hot topic of discussion, particularly with the critical success of 기생충 (gi-seng-choon) Parasite in 2019 (winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards). Korean films have garnered international acclaim, with directors like 봉준호 Bong Joon-ho and 박찬욱 Park Chan-wook becoming household names in cinema.
한국 영화
han-guk young-hwa
Korean movies
The Korean Wave | How Hallyu Started
The origins of the Korean Wave can be traced back to the late 1990s when South Korean entertainment began gaining popularity in East and Southeast Asia. Several key factors contributed to its rise:
The Emergence of K-Dramas
The real spark for the Korean Wave began with the export of Korean television dramas, or K-dramas, to neighboring Asian countries.
In the late 90s, the K-drama 사랑이 뭐길래 (sarang-yi mo-gil-le) What is Love? gained immense popularity in China, followed by the 겨울연가 (kyeo-wul yun-ga) Winter Sonata in Japan in 2002. These dramas featured rich storylines, relatable characters, and high production values, which captured the hearts of viewers across Asia.
The Rise of K-pop
While K-dramas were spreading across Asia, K-pop was steadily gaining popularity with its catchy tunes, dynamic performances, and aesthetically driven music videos.
One of the earliest international K-pop breakthroughs came with 보아 BoA, a South Korean singer who became a sensation in Japan in the early 2000s.
By the mid-2000s, the boy band TVXQ and girl groups like Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls were making waves both domestically and in neighboring countries.
However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that K-pop truly began dominating global music charts. Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012 became a viral sensation on YouTube, breaking records and putting K-pop on a global level.
The systematic training and management by big entertainment groups like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment played a crucial role in K-pop’s global appeal. These agencies create stars who are not only talented but also able to connect with fans across different cultures, often producing songs in multiple languages to cater to international audiences.
The Power of Digital Media and Social Networking
The digital era has been essential in expanding Hallyu’s global reach. YouTube, in particular, has been a game-changer for K-pop, enabling groups like BTS and Blackpink to reach millions of fans worldwide.
Social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram have also allowed K-pop idols to maintain a direct relationship with their fans, allowing fans to meet their idols at a more personal level.
As the Korean Wave continues to sweep the globe, it’s worth considering what the future holds for Hallyu. More and more global audiences are interested in South Korean pop culture and it seems the Korean Wave will continue to take a rise.
The Korean Wave | Example Dialogues
The next time you start a conversation with a Korean friend, you can try to begin with subjects related to the Hallyu Wave.
You might want to ask them ‘What is your favorite song?’ or ‘Who is your favorite K-pop idol?’
After all, what better way to keep up with Korean culture than by asking Koreans themselves?
Here are some ways you can say it:
가장 좋아하는 케이팝이 뭐에요?
What is your favorite K-pop song?케이팝 좋아해요?
Do you like K-pop?좋아하는 케이팝 노래가 뭐에요?
What K-pop song do you like?The Korean Wave | FAQ
When did the Korean Wave start?
Hallyu began gaining momentum in the late 1990s and early 2000s, initially through Korean dramas and pop music in East and Southeast Asia, and has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon.
What does “Hallyu” mean?
“Hallyu” (한류) literally means “Korean Wave” and refers to the global spread of Korean culture, including music, TV dramas, films, fashion, beauty, and more.
What are the main drivers of Hallyu’s popularity?
K-pop, K-dramas, Korean films, beauty products, and social media platforms have all played major roles in spreading Korean culture globally.
How has Hallyu impacted South Korea?
Hallyu has boosted South Korea’s global image, increased tourism, and had a significant positive impact on the economy through cultural exports and global brand influence.
How to say “I like K-pop” in Korean?
케이팝 좋아해요 (k-pop jo-ah-he-yo)
How do you say “who is your favorite K-pop star?”
제일 좋아하는 케이팝 가수가 누구에요? (jae-il jo-ah-ha-neun k-pop ga-su-ga noo-gu-e-yo)
제일 좋아하는 (jae-il-jo-ah-ha-neun) – favorite
케이팝 (k-pop) – K-pop
가수 (ga-soo) – singer
누구에요 (noo-gue-yo) – who
How do you say “skincare products” in Korean?
화장품 (hwa-jang-poom) – skincare products
Want More From LTL?
FANCY LEARNING KOREAN? Check out our online Korean courses here.
We offer a 7-day free trial to all online students where you can study Korean 24/7.
Want to study Korean in Korea instead? Our Korean courses in Seoul can either be taken in small groups of no more than 5 students or individually for a more tailored experience.
We even offer incredible homestay experiences in Seoul too.
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Want More From LTL?
FANCY LEARNING KOREAN? Check out our online Korean courses here.
We offer a 7-day free trial to all online students where you can study Korean 24/7.
Want to study Korean in Korea instead? Our Korean courses in Seoul can either be taken in small groups of no more than 5 students or individually for a more tailored experience.
We even offer incredible homestay experiences in Seoul too.
It doesn’t end here, sign up to the newsletter for even more free resources and news from LTL ⬇️