The Influence of Korean Wave (Hallyu)
In South Korea, Korean Wave (Hallyu) refers to the global popularity or phenomenal growth of its cultural economy encompassing everything. South Korea has a dedicated goal to become the world’s leading exporter of popular culture. Developing its intangible power, it wields using its image overlooking of its military or economic power.
Teenagers were caught up in the catapulted progression of Korean cultures, affecting their ways of living. Just like how they try to learn the basic method of Koreans’ communication and expressions. The way they dressed up and poised in front of cameras had been altered as they became fanatics. Let us narrow down to the most sought-after dynamics, from Korean cosmetic surgery, technology, Korean Pop music, and TV programs.
Korean Cosmetics and Cosmetology
It is no secret that the Korean beauty industry is built upon the desire for flawless, dewy, perfected skin. Most Korean products are formulated with Propolis and Pearl. Propolis is used as boosters in a skincare routine, as they leave skin soft and with a dewy glow. Pearl is used to accelerating new skin growth, healing acne and blemishes, and minimizing large pores. Even high-rated Korean celebrity such as Rain proposes and sells cosmetic products.
In Cosmetology, the country has the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita in the world. With over 980,000 recorded operations in 2014, the country gained its name as the global plastic surgery capital.
“The high-status neighborhood of Gangnam reportedly has 500 aesthetic centers alone.”
South Korea valued cosmetic surgery practices as a national asset. As a result, being the most cosmetically enhanced country in the world. In a land exposed to aesthetic beauty, thousands of people were influenced to this custom. Why is plastic surgery central to the culture? Individuals viewed plastic surgery as a practical solution in an extremely competitive world. Considering the images below:
Studies indicate that many Koreans believe that having the “right” face makes all the difference between success and failure.
Technology
Seoul ranked as the world's "leading digital city" and a "tech capital of the world". The world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected countries included South Korea continually gaining its fame. Furthermore, it is the third most broadband Internet users among the OECD countries. It is a global leader in electronics, digital displays, semiconductor devices, and mobile phones. Korea is now a globally leading Research and Development power in areas of industrial research. The Government invests heavily in the said area, leads to constant improvement to its numerous public research institutes and universities.
Notably, South Korea became a Launchpad of a mature mobile market. For this reason, developers can reap benefits of a market. The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning executes “creative economy” well that made them the foothold of international companies. Markedly, they have invented and developed the world’s fastest mobile broadband out of their world-class technology. With an expanding trend of inventions of new types of media or apps, explicitly utilizing the 4G and 5G internet infrastructure.
Samsung and LG have been the forerunners in creating world-class brands in the consumer electronics industry. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., headquartered in Suwon, South Korea is a South Korean multinational electronics company. Significantly, listed as the 7th brand in the world, selling wares to the Cambodians, including phones marketed using K-pop stars. It carries a brand value of $45.3 billion and stayed on the ground for years. LG has transformed itself from a manufacturer of cheap products to a high-standing brand.
Hyundai and Kia brands are creating a similar revolution in the car industry. Hyundai competes for head-on with the Japanese giants Toyota and Nissan and touted as one of best quality cars in the market, despite its history.
More evidence of an advanced technology? Uniquely, a formally disgraced scientist, Hwang Woo-suk happens to create some mystery. He led a bio-engineering team that created three living clones of a dog that died in the year 2002. Not to mention its radioactive isotope production equipment for medical and industrial use. Also, the humanoid robots and well-equipped cybersecurity experts also gained public attention.
Korean Pop Music
K-pop stands for Korean pop or Korean popular music. It is a musical genre consisting of electronic, hip-hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea. K-pop has grown into a popular subculture among teenagers and young adults throughout Asia. Thus, resulting in widespread interest in the fashion, style and even the life of Korean idol groups and singers.
Their music video hit 50 million views within five months of their debut. It is the most-viewed debut music video for any K-pop group. This female band is one of the most successful and best-selling K-Pop groups ever.
Bangtan Sonyeondan is now the hottest name in K-Pop industry after their recent international recognition on Billboard Music Awards. As a matter of fact, they acquired the award as the Top Social Artist of the Year, breaking Justin Bieber's 4 years of consecutive win. Bangtan Sonyeondan is the first K-Pop group to join the nomination and gain unparalleled victory. By the same token, the group has won 47 awards with 75 nominations in all. This triumph correspondingly makes them one of the most successful boy bands in K-Pop history.
Significantly, K-pop has now even spread outside of Korea by the power of the internet. People all over the world now enjoy K-pop, unnecessarily understanding the meaning of each lyric word. KPop focuses more on digital distribution and touring which had a major boost, bringing an economic contribution to society. To be sure, they even hire foreign composers and stylist to ensure competitiveness.
Korean TV Programs
For the most part, South Korean movies now are of Hollywood production value and quality. It is probably one of the only countries in the world that has a Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. With the aim to build a $10 billion cultural industry export industry by 2019. Definitely, its budget is a staggering $500 million. There is a division of the Ministry, called Popular Culture Industry Division. It focuses on Korean pop music, fashion, mass entertainment, comic books, cartoons and other key products.
On balance, ranks of coupled handsome actors and beautiful actresses sustained the important elements of Korean Dramas. Obviously, this technique makes it more and more loved by fans around the world. One of the greatest Korean drama this year is the Guardian: The Lonely and Great God or Goblin.
To emphasize, Guardian's final episode recording an 18.68% nationwide audience share. In effect, this made it the second highest rated drama in Korean cable television history, behind Reply 1988. In fact, it received critical acclaim and became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea. After the Drama shot a scene to some spot of Gangneung's Jumunjin Beach, as a result, it has become a bustling tourist zone. Product placement's competition in hit dramas reached its higher status accordingly.
On the contrary, its popularity doesn't prevent it from facing some critics of beliefs. Characters' abilities that surpass the realm of human strength and the romance between a minor and an older man. The flaws pointed by some analyst and commentator caught the attention of fanatics and advocates.
“Hallyu has been a blessing for Korea, its businesses, culture and country image. Hallyu has become one of the biggest cultural phenomena across Asia early 1999. The Hallyu effect has been tremendous, contributing to 0.2% of Korea’s Gross Domestic Product in 2004, amounting to approximately $1.87 billion. More recently in 2014, Hallyu had an estimated $11.6 billion boosts on the Korean economy.”
As has been noted, behind the South Korea's success story there lies the indestructible root. The full support of the government and the way Koreans promote cultures with packaging. Altogether, the collaboration created a massive contribution and output that took its progression up to the present time.