K-pop’s Global Influence: How Korean Culture Is Taking Over

Beginner Level | May 13, 2025

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Korean Culture Goes Global

K-pop and Korean TV shows are famous all over the world. From music videos on YouTube to dramas on Netflix, Korean culture is everywhere. People are watching, listening, and learning more about Korea. And it’s not just young people—audiences of all ages are enjoying K-culture.

What Makes K-Pop So Popular?

K-pop is more than music. It has bright visuals, fun dances, and catchy songs. Groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans have fans around the world. Their music videos have millions of views. Their fashion and style also inspire trends in other countries.

K-pop stars train for years before they debut. This hard work shows in their singing, dancing, and performances. Fans admire their dedication.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a report by Twitter Korea showed that global conversations about K-pop increased in 2024, with Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, the U.S., and the Philippines among the most active countries tweeting about it. BTS remained the most mentioned artist worldwide. This shows the continuing power of K-pop’s global influence.

More Than Just Music

Korean culture is also popular through TV dramas, movies, food, and fashion. Shows like “Crash Landing on You” and “Squid Game” became global hits. Korean food like kimchi, bibimbap, and Korean BBQ are now popular in many countries. Some people even start learning the Korean language because of their love for K-dramas and K-pop.

Soft Power and Global Influence

This global love for Korean culture is called “soft power.” It means influencing the world not through money or weapons, but through culture and ideas. South Korea is using soft power very well. It helps the economy and improves Korea’s image around the world.

Yonhap also reported that this growing cultural impact has encouraged the Korean government to invest more in content and global promotions, supporting both big entertainment companies and smaller cultural exports. K-pop’s global influence is now part of South Korea’s national strategy.

Vocabulary

Culture (noun): The ideas, customs, and art of a group of people.
- Example: Korean culture is becoming popular around the world.
Drama (noun): A TV or movie story with emotions and characters.
- Example: Korean dramas are popular on Netflix.
Trend (noun): Something that becomes popular for a time.
- Example: K-pop started many new fashion trends.
Dedication (noun): Working hard for a long time.
- Example: The group showed great dedication in training.
Debut (noun): First public performance or appearance.
- Example: The singer made her debut last year.
Soft power (noun): The power to influence others with culture and ideas.
- Example: Korean soft power is strong because of K-pop.
Influence (verb): To change or affect someone’s thinking or actions.
- Example: K-pop influences music styles around the world.
Admire (verb): To respect or like someone for what they do.
- Example: Fans admire K-pop idols for their talent.
Global (adjective): Related to the whole world.
- Example: K-pop is a global trend.
Performance (noun): A show, song, or act in front of people.
- Example: The group gave a great performance last night.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What makes K-pop different from other music?
How do K-pop idols prepare for their debut?
What are some examples of Korean culture in your country?
Why is soft power important?
How does K-pop’s global influence affect South Korea’s image?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

What kind of music do you enjoy?
Have you watched any Korean dramas or movies?
Do you think culture can change how countries see each other?
What is a popular cultural trend in your country?
Would you want to be a performer or artist? Why?

Related Idiom

“Take the world by storm”
Meaning: To become very popular or successful very quickly.
Example: K-pop has taken the world by storm.

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Source

This article was inspired by Yonhap News Agency, May 4, 2025.

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