Even if you're not a fan of chunku kimchi Han Bok or a 10-step skincare routine we
bet there is someone around you who is this is not an accident how you also known as the
Korean wave is the spread of South Korean culture all across the world it all started
with little steps in the late 1990s and early 2000s but with the internet social
media and streaming services it became a global phenomenon that is still thriving to this day
buckle and get ready to dive into the Korean wave that has reached every single corner of the world
if you would like to see more episodes about culture be sure
to give us a like and tell us which topics you want to learn about next
Korean pop music commonly known as K-pop has been spreading like wildfire in recent years
the growing popularity stems from the combination of several key elements including addictive Tunes
synced choreography catchy lyrics and highly produced music videos one such example of that
is Gangnam Style by PSY which is still one of the most watched YouTube videos in history
many K-pop bands like BTS and blackpink have attained worldwide Fame and have
Legions of fans in nearly every country on Earth this wouldn't be possible without
strategic planning from certain entertainment companies such as SM YG and jyp these mammoths
of the industry have developed the music and image of K-pop in a way that would appeal to
International audiences while still promoting Korean culture for example the lyrics of K-pop
songs are written by a large group of local and international songwriters at times they
mix multiple languages to appeal to the widest audience possible the themes in
these songs range from upbeat and playful to more serious and emotional often addressing
socio-political or environmental issues like consumerism mental health bullying and violence
these songs are performed by highly accomplished artists who go through a strict training system
for years before debuting and their reach goes beyond just entertainment they often use their
influence to promote positive Global change and take on cultural or ambassadorial roles
however being a K-pop Idol comes with a cost because of rigorous work demands and control
of their Public Image and behavior Stars sometimes face physical and mental exhaustion
sadly suicides are common in this industry due to intense stress and pressure the young icons face
but with the immense hardships also come life-changing positives for example each K-pop
artist has a dedicated and loyal fan base many of which have become significant cultural phenomenons
in their own right these fandoms play a vital role in promoting K-pop music Across the world
and this process strengthens Korea's soft power because K-pop is not just music but
a cultural phenomenon that extends to Fashion Beauty and lifestyle elements
speaking of which It's Time We Touch upon one of the biggest aspects of K-pop the fashion
Seoul has long been one of the world's most influential fashion capitals because of it Korean
fashion has become a global trendsetter in the clothing and Beauty Industries
K fashion is characterized by its diverse and dynamic appeal for example the Korean street style
is centered on youth culture and urban fashion with comfortable oversized and casual clothes
meanwhile Idol fashion is heavily influenced by K-pop idols and k-drama actors and is known for
its bright colors bold patterns and mismatched clothing items K Fashion's reach goes far beyond
Korea's borders so how did South Korea achieve unprecedented influence on the Fashion World
to build its National brand image Korea has invested heavily in fashion the
South Korean government actually provides financial support for major fashion events
on top of that these fashion events typically feature K-Pop singers and k-drama actors who
perform or walk the runways also the increasing popularity of Korean dramas allows local Brands
to reach millions of screens in every corner of the globe if you want to fully understand
the Korean wave you need to learn a thing or two about K Cinema foreign
the South Korean film industry gained unprecedented International attention in
2019 with the success of bong Joon Ho's drama parasite hugely successful all over the world
the film served as a gateway to discovering more South Korean Cinema the movie addressed
socio-political issues such as poverty wealth inequality and class struggle and was met with
critical Acclaim in fact parasite earned various accolades including the Academy Award for best
picture a thirst for a foreign film parasite stark contrast between rich and poor inspired
many poster designs including upstairs and downstairs Parasite by Andrew Bannister
we can see that the Reversed staircase highlights economic inequalities between the impoverished
Kim household and the privileged Park household did you know that parasite predicted reality in
a sense if you remember the Kim family lives in banjihar a semi-underground building that
gets flooded after heavy rainfall unfortunately in August 2022 large-scale floods hit Seoul and
as a result 2 800 buildings were damaged and dozens of people died or were made homeless
after the tragedy banjohar was banned as a living space K Cinema has seen an explosion
in popularity during the last couple of decades directors like bong Joon ho
hotel by the river and park Chan wuk old boy and others have played a significant role in
revitalizing South Korea's Cinema through their skills and unique worldview they have introduced
a distinct mixture of genres which has gradually gained recognition in the western world beyond
that K dramas play a crucial role in how you they have a huge influence on consumer purchasing
decisions in Fashion Beauty electronics and food as a result the featured items instantly become
top sellers for example the eve salaron lipstick used by the main actress in k-drama You Who Came
From The Stars were soon sold out in South Korea China Singapore and other countries meanwhile many
online retailers use the names of popular dramas as the title of their products to boost sales
did you know that the majority of Koreans do not follow the 10-step
skincare routine this is just a myth popularized by American Beauty magazines
yet beauty standards are in fact an integral part of Korean culture the practice of using
Cosmetics dates back centuries when specific Beauty ideals were established with an emphasis
on attaining Flawless skin nowadays K Beauty combines ancient formulas with cutting-edge
technology to create Innovative products that help people achieve the famous glass skin look
the impact of K Beauty on society is immense there even exists k-beauty fashion inspired
by Korean skin care and makeup trends it includes pastel colors minimalistic cuts and light Fabrics
we should also mention Korean cosmetic surgeons who have gained a reputation for their expertise
as a result medical tourism has flourished in Korea with many people traveling there to
undergo surgical cosmetic procedures from the most skilled surgeons in the field however a backlash
to all of this has recently occurred since 2018 some activists have rejected these strict Korean
beauty standards on social media using the hashtag escape the corset they uploaded videos and photos
where they destroy cosmetic products or cut their hair short will this movement grow or maybe it is
impossible to redefine current attitudes towards Beauty only time will tell moving on from K Beauty
and some of the controversies it brings let's dig into something that everyone can agree on food
K food has become increasingly popular all over the world in recent years largely due to
the growth of K media but what are its Essential Elements let's start with side dishes also known
as bankan the heart of Korean cuisine since food sharing is a crucial and unique part of Korean
culture you will find lots of little side dishes spread across the table the most popular banchan
is of course kimchi made of cabbage radish or cucumber kimchi is served with almost every meal
another staple food is rice it provides a basis for a wide variety of dishes including bibimbap
which is one of the most revered dishes around the world bibimbap is a rice bowl that comes
loaded with delicious marinated meat sauteed vegetables fried eggs and are one of a kind
sweet spicy sauce we should also mention that soup is an important element of a Korean meal
and is often served as a companion to the rice last but not least is gochujang especially made
fermented Chili Pepper paste that will leave you obsessed with its Indescribable unami taste
although Korean cuisine kept its authenticity in the West for a long time it still could not Escape
westernization Korean barbecue kimchi tacos bulgogi burgers or Korean Pizza are popular
Fusion food examples which are not only popular in the western world but now all across the globe
so what's next will K Food become completely assimilated with its new environments no one
really knows for sure the same is true for K-pop K fashion and K dramas however even with the
uncertainty of the future one thing is clear with its ever-evolving and experimenting nature Korean
wave will not cease to surprise and entertain and impact us all for a long time to come
so what do you think let us know in the comments and don't forget to subscribe
to us on YouTube and Instagram for your regular dose of culture also if you haven't been to our
website curiousnews.org that's a good time to check it out there you will find online
courses free downloads and more great stuff for the culturally curious and see you next time
foreign