The Korean Wave

One might say the Korean wave is clearly on a decline, but for many people it is still alive and relatively unknown. The one characteristic of waves that makes them unique is that they will keep on coming; it’s just a matter of how big and how fast that will determine their impact. Without a doubt Korean pop culture has spread like butter on a hot piece of toast, now the most dynamic city in the world is on a mission to create the next wave that will impact generations to come. In this effort to continue the wave of popularity in Korea actors, singers, artists, chefs, and other enthusiasts from a plethora of fields have taken charge of the reins of this Korean wave we call한류 (Hallyu).

How can you talk about Hallyu without mentioning the ever so popular singers that are so ubiquitous to Korea? Korean singers have been a driving force when analyzing the evidence of a Korean wave; in the United States it’s unmistakable and only getting stronger. All you have to do is follow the careers of the many artists that took a shot at becoming successful internationally. The results have been positive as artists such as Rain, Se7en, Boa, Wonder Girls, Crown J, and Big Bang have all made their impressions felt overseas.

If you’re unfamiliar with the absolutely sparkling and dangerously stunning group the Wonder Girls, then it won’t take you long to begin to understand why they are a widely known pop culture sensation. During this past summer the Jonas Brothers performed in 53 cities with their openers being the one and only Wonder Girls. Although the Wonder Girls did not open for all of the 53 cities, the response to their hit songs were apparently refreshing to the American audience looking for a fresh new style to latch onto. While still relatively unknown in America, perhaps less-so now, in Korea it might be considered blasphemy had you admitted to not knowing who the Wonder Girls are. Or at the least a prompt for the question, have you been living under a rock? This girl group will surely leave a long lasting impression on the pop industry.

Se7en who debuted in 2003 is truly a singer with a natural gift for entertaining. He has toured with Lil Kim a famous hip-hop artist from America and toured major cities such as New York, Seattle, and Atlanta. Touring with Lil Kim does not go unnoticed; with the hit song “Girls” Se7en became the first ever Korean artist to have his MV premier on BET a popular entertainment network in America. There is definitely a reason why Se7en is labeled the Justin Timberlake of Korea. Promoting oneself in America when you’re from another country is obviously going to be difficult one main reason being the language barrier. Se7en has been studying hard, and can speak English fairly well only furthering his popularity with non-Korean fans.

Aside from the already established artists in Korea, a new generation of pop artists has risen from the ranks. This goes to show that there is still a wealth of talent just waiting to be discovered. MBLAQ (Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality) is a new boy band group created by the famous Korean pop singer Rain. Allkpop.com reports that: "Because of Rain's transformation into a producer and this being his first creation of a group, many are showing interest. We are already receiving inquiries for fan clubs." Another all boy group that has recently been introduced to the masses is BS2T which is Boys 2 Search the Top otherwise known as BEAST. Put together by Cube Entertainment they already have their first mini album for sale. The six member group consists of members that are already slightly well-known. That will most likely make this group one to watch out for if their single “Bad Girl” is any indication of what’s to come.

Although it is convenient to be able to have Korean artists venture to a city near you, there is nothing more exhilarating than being able to see all your favorite K-pop stars live on stage in one place at one time. This is feasible only if you visit Seoul when they host an annual concert that features the most popular artists and groups in Korea. Appropriately named the Dream Concert, it truly is a dream for most die-hard fans, and an absolutely unforgettable experience for all who attend. It was hosted at the World Cup Stadium this year and had a line-up of artists that would make anyone excited.

Not only are Korean pop singers making moves to expand their audience by touring overseas, a recent move to attract visitors to experience Hallyu first hand prompted the creation of Star Avenue. According to the Official Site of Korea it’s an “exciting new entertainment complex dedicated to Hallyu stars opened in Seoul. Star Avenue is located next to the south gate of Lotte World in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul. Star Avenue contains five different interactive sections, giving visitors unprecedented access to the worlds of their favorite stars. For example, you can try on some of the costumes used in dramas and have your picture taken. If you’ve got a favorite Korean singer, you can have your photo taken and placed onto their CD cover, which will be a unique memento for your trip.” This newly built attraction gives the tourist and enthusiast alike a closer look into the lives of their favorite stars. There is little doubt that this establishment will help to reinforce and possibly solidify the popularity of Korean pop-culture as it creates that destination that gives something more tangible for the fan to latch onto.


This wave has inspired many to share their ever growing interest in Korean culture through a variety of mediums. There are countless bloggers that have taken the initiative to report on K-pop gossip. One blog in particular stands out as a leader for its continual commitment for delivering fast and entertaining K-pop stories. PopSeoul is the name and celebrity gossip is what they do best. Their website popseoul.com says it all, “POPSEOUL! dishes on the inside scoop of all your favorite Korean celebrities. We bring you the best celebrity gossip, entertainment news and style coming out of Korea.” PopSeoul allows those who have an interest in the Seoul entertainment industry to feel connected without leaving the comfort of their homes. If you only now have heard of K-pop and are intrigued yet don’t know where to begin your search PopSeoul.com is a perfect start. As their website says “You can’t deny it! POPSEOUL! is a fun, spicy, addictive read.”

We live in an era where the options for communication are endless and the flow of information is plentiful and easy to find. The computer is as common as the television and in some households replaces it altogether. After connecting to the internet you begin to discover, explore and see the outside world as though it was right outside your window. With the click of a few buttons the world as we know it is literally waiting for you at the tip of your fingers. The internet is a prime destination for bloggers, companies, and reporters wanting to share their thoughts and insights on Koreas’ progression of trends and lifestyle.

The spread of Korean culture encompasses more than just the pop-artists, as cartoon characters also promote the enjoyment of what is Korea. Nowadays it is almost impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard of the characters Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty. These two characters are so mainstream and well known that it’s hard to deny their existence. Many people can speculate about how these two characters or others who share the same status came to become so popular. Yet, the fact that they are is undeniable. While these two characters may be world renown at this time their humble introductions were just that; preliminary and not without adversity. Without the gigantic fan base that Mickey Mouse accumulated in his country of origin it would have been difficult for him to possess super stardom elsewhere. Mickey Mouse was created in 1928 and Hello Kitty made her first appearance in Japan in 1974 according to Wikipedia.com. Korea on the other hand is relatively new to this game. It is without a doubt though that Korea is a country who is fresh with ideas, and is primed for creating a name of their own, just look at John Cho.

Envisioning something that becomes an international sensation in what seems like overnight is no small feat. Yet, John Cho the creator of뽀로로 (Pororo) the mini penguin in a cartoon series geared towards kids introduced in 2002 has done just that. The premise of the show Pororo the Little Penguin takes place in Antarctica as Pororo and his friends 에디 the fox, 루피 the beaver, 크롱 the crocodile, 포비 the polar bear, 해리 the bird, and 패티the girl penguin go on adventures together. Each character embraces a certain characteristic that makes them unique. While many adults find it interesting that this band of friends is without any sort of parent figure, the kids who watch the show find this to be one of its main selling points. When one asks the question how you make a product successful the answer always lies with what the customer wants. In this case the kids are the customer. Pororo has the added benefit of appealing to those who need a gentle introduction to the Korean language as well. John Cho has created something worth checking out as it appeals to many cultures while staying true to Korean culture. As a result this cartoon series has seen success in such countries as France, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Scandinavia, Italy and the UK. You can catch the show on Cartoonito to have a look at what all the excitement is about. Cartoonito is affiliated with such channels as Cartoon Network, and Boomerang.

It is hard to fully experience Seoul without eating samgyeopsal (삼겹살), a meal that’s affordable on any budget, and will prove to be a satisfying lunch or dinner perfectly suited to be enjoyed with a group of your friends or colleagues. Both traditional mainstays in the Korean diet samgyeopsal translates into three layered meat, while kimchi is typically a side dish consisting of spicy aged cabbage. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) remains popular as it’s both inexpensive and delicious. If you enjoy eating bacon then this three layered meat will adorn your palette perfectly. Apply named Korean BBQ this savory piece of pork belly is cooked on a hot grille conveniently located at your table. The smell of succulent pork swiftly hits your nose once the meat has sizzled and condensed into something only comparable to heaven for your taste buds. A common way to eat this mouthwatering meal is by wrapping it in lettuce along with garlic and kimchi. The kimchis’ tart flavor will balance out the flavor of the pork and add depth to each bite you take.

As straight forward as samgyeopsal (삼겹살) may seem to be the possibilities are endless, with a wide range of cuts and flavor induced portions of meat. From thick slices to paper thin slices to the places that tenderize it by cutting diamond shaped slices into the meat, the breadth of potential for samgyeopsal does not end there. A restaurant called Haengbok Choopoongryung Kal Samgyupsal (행복 추풍령 칼삼겹살) invites the diner to enjoy samgyeopsal in another light. Fusing together Indian cuisine with Korean, here you will find a curry flavored samgyeopsal. If that doesn’t sound appealing perhaps a few of their wine induced or traditional samgyeopsal will grab your attention. All orders will be treated with a bit of freshly cracked pepper straight from a wooden pepper mill which is not often seen at other places. Information on this restaurant can be found at www.kal300.co.kr.

Beijing might be known for their Roast Duck, Tokyo for their sushi, Singapore for their chicken rice, Boston for their clam chowder, but Seoul would not be complete without 삼겹살(samgyeopsal) and 김치 (kimchi). The popularity of each dish has prompted restaurateurs from every corner of Seoul to offer up variations of the two most well-known Korean good eats. Although these dishes are nothing new in Korea, on the east coast of America the Korean wave is just reaching their shores. Right outside of Boston, Massachusetts a restaurant named Sapporo recently opened its’ doors allowing people to experience a taste of Korea in the form of Korean BBQ. You may find more information on their website; www.sapporobbq.com. You may be an expert and an avid eater of both, or you may be a삼겹살 and김치virgin. Either way expanding your horizons through food is one of the best ways to explore a foreign culture. If you have not tried these two dishes before then Seoul should be your first stop on your itinerary.



A wave does not start out big but rather small. A wave does not stop for onlookers, but rewards those who understand it and ride along with it. This is the same with Hallyu; which is a truly remarkable accomplishment that has inspired many, and has entertained even more. Korea as we know it may not be the same Korea our children see, but the waves will continue to push forward, and carry with it a culture rich in history and full of excitement. As long as there are those individuals who are motivated to continue-on expressing their views as they are inspired by the culture of Korea, then we can all imagine a country flourishing beyond the borders that man has drawn for them. Take it from me an English teacher who lives in Daegu, but finds he goes to Seoul whenever he has free time. I am proud to call Seoul my second home.