adminelectronics, mobile phones and cars. The Hanryu is, in general, about globalisation through the sharing of goods, services, knowledge and cultures between peoples and countries.
Improved technologies have reduced barriers while accelerating globalisation, and globalisation provides opportunities and challenges. So does the Hanryu. This article will focus on the Hanryu, particularly on its culture, food and products across the world.
In the entertainment sector, the Hanryu is enjoyed by many people and it covers a wide genre, from celebrity stars such as singers, sports players, actors, books and particularly dramas like ¡°Sik-gaek¡±, ¡°Boys over Flowers¡± and ¡°Look after Your Mum.¡± For more than a decade people from all age groups have enjoyed Korean soap operas and dramas and Zimbabwe is no exception, with
¡°Sad Love Story¡±, ¡°Jewel in the Korean Palace¡± and ¡°My Lovely Kim Sam-soon,¡± being viewed on the national broadcasting network, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Korean soap operas have been exported to over 60 countries where they have been rerun again and again.
More recently trendy dramas such as Boys over Flowers, My Girlfriend is Giu miho and other family dramas such as Pink Lipstick have become popular in Asian countries and has influenced fashion trends in the region
But the Korean Wave is not limited to dramas and soap operas because entertainment also encompasses pop music.
Korean music has swept across Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, US, Latin America and Europe.
Many artistes and bands such as Girls Generation, TVXQ and Super Junior have all contributed immensely towards the Hanryu of K-pop.
Due to their immense popularity, there is now a wave of idolatry of these K-pop stars that influences people to experience Hanryu through listening, following and adopting certain trends of Korean culture.
The entertainment sector mirrors real life and clearly eating is an important part of life. By watching and experiencing Korean entertainment, people can learn about Korean food and culture.
Some customs are better understood through watching, listening and eating. Such is the influence of Hanryu that Super Junior, a boy band has been appointed as Honourary Korean Food Ambassador of 2011.
Korean dramas exposed the viewers to food hence K-pop stars teach one how to cook them.
Many Korean cooking classes and events are held throughout the world and for those who cannot cook Korean Food at home, pre-cooked products are designed for such people and imported to many countries, thus gaining popularity and in Zimbabwe instant noodles are popular. In fact, Korean cuisine has become so popular.
It is being served in five-star hotels in Europe and some USA universities have opened a two-week course in Hansik (Korean food). Some international airlines are also serving Korean dishes on their flights due to their functionality and health benefits. Popular dishes are Kimchi, Bulgogi, Galbi and different varieties of Bibimpab. Korean food presents a perfect harmony of taste, beauty, functionality and health orientation. Korean food is an important part of Hanryu.
The Korean Wave is not just about the impact of Korean culture, customs and traditions on the global village but an illustration of how far one nation can influence other nations if harmony exists between government and the people.
The government creates an enabling environment through enacting favourable laws and regulations that support the efforts of the local industry and in this case this article only focused on the entertainment sector. But all the sectors of the economy are part and parcel of the Korean Wave whether it is agriculture, science, industry or commerce.
The Korean foods have become renowned due to efforts of Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and on the other hand, Korean entertainment has led Hanryu thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism together with the Ministry of Information and Communication. As a result, Korean music and videos are easily available on the internet, drawing fans not only from Asia but from Europe, Middle East, Americas and Africa.
The Hanryu has also resulted in more tourists travelling to South Korea to see and experience what they would have been exposed to through globalisation. -Korean Embassy.
Online Reporter