The increasing popularity of Korean pop groups, such as BTS, 2NE1, Blackpink, Super Junior, and Got7, to name a few, has made South Korea a global phenomenon. Hence why a lot of people in Singapore and other parts of the world want to take a Korean language course. This is not only so they would be able to speak the language, but also to gain a deeper insight into the culture itself.
Hallyu: Korean wave
Hallyu means “Korean wave” in Chinese, which is a collective term that refers to the significant spread of Korean culture around the world. This encompasses everything from pop music to films, to online games, to fashion, and cuisine.
The Korean wave started to gain popularity in China and Japan. Today, the consumer demand for everything Korean is at an all-time high.
In 1997, journalists from Beijing started using “Hallyu” during the financial crisis. At the same time, South Korea was restricting cultural imports from Japan, leading to a void in that area. Because of this, the country’s Ministry of Culture exerted a lot of effort to strengthen their local heritage and talents. The government then heavily invested in creative industries, creating 300 culture-based departments across different universities in Korea. Aside from that, high-quality films and dramas were being produced during this time and started airing in China. That was when Hallyu started gaining prominence worldwide, piquing the curiosity of the 90s generation.
Social media and the Korean wave
Thanks to social media, Korean culture exploded and was propelled onto the global main stage. With K-pop’s catchy sounds, brilliantly choreographed dance routines, and the artists’ unique fashion sense, as well as the captivating films and dramas that are now being aired in various countries, Korean culture has indeed taken the world by storm, dominating airwaves and the globe.
Hallyu isn’t limited to Korean pop music and TV shows and films. Nowadays, you can find a lot of consumer goods that are all influenced by South Korean culture. These include clothing, games, food, alcoholic beverages, skin care products, and cosmetics. In fact, many big Western brands, such as L’Oréal, Estee Lauder, and Unilever, have collaborated with Korean companies to create globally popular products, particularly makeup and skincare items.
A huge contributor to Korean culture’s skyrocketing fame is social media. It allowed Hallyu to cross borders and build fandoms all over the world. Furthermore, it gave Korean brands, pop bands, and artists the opportunity to reach out and personally connect to millions of followers – Gen Z and beyond.
When COVID-19 lockdowns happened in 2020, people were stuck at home, giving them more time for digital entertainment and to explore many different Korean films and music. As a result, Hallyu got stronger and broader. More and more people were converted to fans of BTS, Blackpink, Hyun Bin, Lee Min Ho, Park Seo Joon, and many others.
Hallyu’s influence on the Korean language industry
As of February 2021, Korean has become the seventh most popular language to study. With South Korea’s expanding market across the globe, you can expect to have more and more people wanting to take a Korean language course in Singapore.
Conclusion
Nowadays, South Korea is definitely one of the most in-demand countries when it comes to tourism, economy, business, and education. This is why you should consider learning Korean and Hangul if you want to travel or move to South Korea.
Why not learn the language by enrolling in a trusted Korean language school? At Sejong, we are committed to always delivering high-quality teaching and services. As one of the top-rated Korean language schools in Singapore since 2012, we can help you become fluent in the language through structured and engaging teaching methods. Contact us today for more details.