Korea’s Cultural Wave: The Story Behind the Strength

Korean Kontext

From K-pop to K-drama and food, Korean culture has taken the globe by storm. Korean artists are topping the Billboard charts, Korean films are winning Oscars, and Korean kimbap at Trader Joe’s went viral online. Cultural interest is also behind the growth of students learning Korean in the United States when interest in foreign languages is going down in general. What drives this interest and resonates with people across the globe? What role does Korean popular culture play as a form of soft power and cultural diplomacy in the United States? What are some aspects of Korean culture that are often misunderstood?

Join us for a conversation with Amb. Jie-ae Sohn, South Korean Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation, to learn more about the story behind Korea’s cultural wave, moderated by KEI President Ambassador Kathleen Stephens.