HALLYU / HANRYU (한류)
The Korean Wave
The Korean term for the phenomenon of the Korean Wave is Hanryu (Hangul: 한류), more commonly romanized as Hallyu. The
term is made of two root words: han (한/韓) meaning "Korean", and ryu (류/流) meaning "flow" or "wave", and referring to
the diffusion of Korean culture.
The Korean wave encompasses the global awareness of different aspects of South Korean culture including film and
television (particularly "K-dramas"), K-pop, manhwa, the Korean language, and Korean cuisine. Some commentators also
consider traditional Korean culture in its entirety to be part of the Korean wave. American political scientist
Joseph Nye defines the Korean wave as "the growing popularity of all things Korean, from fashion and film to music and
cuisine."
POPULAR KPOP GROUPS IN 2020
BTS
This seven-member boy band has taken the world by storm and are definitely the biggest name in K-pop. BTS have performed
sell-out arena shows across the US and UK, have achieved two No. 1 albums in the US, boast 16 million monthly listeners
on Spotify, have sold 16 million albums (Map of Soul is the best-selling album in Korean history), and were the
best-selling artist to debut in the 2010s. According to the IFPI's Global Artist Chart, BTS were the second best-selling
artists of 2018 (behind Drake), as well as the only non-English speaking artist to enter the chart. The seven members
are rappers Suga, RM and J-hope, and vocalists Jimin, V, Jin and Jungkook.
In August 2020, BTS released the track 'Dynamite', their first song entirely in English, which topped the Billboard Hot
100 singles chart and stayed there for three whole weeks. It was the band's first No.1 single in the US and made BTS the
first all-South Korean act to top the Hot 100.
BLACKPINK
Making their debut in 2016, Blackpink consists of members Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo, and Lisa. In just four years they've
become a global sensation, setting YouTube streaming records and collaborating with Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez,
and Cardi B. The four-member ensemble also became the second girl group from YG Entertainment and the first Korean girl
group to perform at Coachella last year. Always on stage or in music videos with fierce and feminine fashion, Blackpink
has made hot pants, crop tops, and glittery embellishments some of their K-pop style calling cards. Beyond music, the
individual members are ambassadors for brands like Chanel (Jennie), Saint Laurent (Rosé), Dior (Jisoo), and Celine and
Bulgari (Lisa). With a new Netlfix documentary, Blackpink: Light up the Sky, their loyal fanbase (known as the "Blinks")
can chart their rise from young trainees to the recognizable idols they are today.
KOREAN DRAMA TO WATCH IN 2020
RECORD OF YOUTH
Youth Record follows the lives of young people in the world of modeling. Sa Hye-Jun (Park Bo-Gum) is smart and handsome. He is a nice guy and a popular model, but what he really wants is to
become an actor. He has auditioned for many acting roles, but hasn't found success yet. Unfortunately, Sa Hye-Jun
doesn't have much presence as an actor. Meanwhile, An Jeong-Ha (Park So-Dam) works as a make-up artist.
START-UP
Needing to make $90k to open her own business, Seo Dal-Mi drops out of a university and takes up part-time work. She
dreams of becoming someone like Steve Jobs.
Nam Do-San is the founder of Samsan Tech. He is excellent with mathematics. He started Samsan Tech two years ago, but
the company is not doing well. Somehow, Nam Do-San becomes Seo Dal-Mi’s first love. They cheer each others start and
growth