How Korean Culture Went Global | Throughline

From BTS to Squid Game to high-end beauty standards, South Korea reigns as a global exporter of pop culture and entertainment. How does a country go from a war-decimated state just 70 years ago, to a major driver of global soft power? Through war, occupation, economic crisis, and national strategy, comes a global phenomenon - the Korean wave.

CORRECTION
In a previous version of this video, one photograph in the illustration above had a contradictory caption which suggested that the photo was taken in Korea but may show Japanese women, based on their dress. The image has been replaced.

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[jaysauer]

The way BTS has dominated my k-pop heart since 2015 is actually crazy

[EM-rmxh]

Good segment, but this actually missed the part where BTS were the first before Parasite and Squid Games to call out the social injustices between the haves and the have nots. They were the ones with songs like Baepsae that really put this in the forefront, and it was their breakout and rise which led to the movie Parasite and the show Squid Game having so many eyes. It's really frustrating that BTS's success isn't contextualized properly even with in-depth pieces like this.

[victor_dakota]

I did officially in 2020 during the Pandemic. Heard BTS numerous of times....but did not give them a chance. BUT WHEN I DID in 2020!!! This was a "rabbit hole" I have been waiting to fall in since Michael Jackson and Beyonce BEST DAYS!!! Thanks For Sharing.

[vicky...]

Little was said about Bts influence but they’re using their picture as the biggest, is saying a LOT

[tobypark]

I got chills listening to that, showcasing the Koreans at the top of music, film, sports, electronics, automobiles

[thsis]

I know my stepdaughter found a lot of inspiration from the fact BTS came from very humble beginnings and really had to persevere. Its actually because of her I got into BTS, which started my appreciation of their culture. It's ironic as when I was her age I found a lot of inspiration from post war Japan. To see an entire country go through such devastation, yet come out on top is something I hope they can take pride in.

Also, I am astounded that the country came together in South Korea, to clear their debt. It has me wondering if many of our wealthiest americans came together, would it be possible?... but more importantly, would they ever be able to put themselves in the same position, for the love of their own country.

Anyways, thank you NPR for linking this story off of RMs Tiny Desk performance. I finally took a moment to also watch Vs, and felt it was time to do the same. I really love the Tiny Desk performances in general.

And thank you to whomever is listening.

[tomokokoga]

Here I am, an ARMY who went into the rabbit hole during the pandemic in 2020. I am Japanese who came to appreciate BTS in the sense that they remind us to learn about the history between Japan and South Korea. Also, as I often hear how American (or English-speaking) media takes up BTS or the Korean Waves these days, I see such a difference with the time I was in the US (in 2002-2010) when I felt American people were mostly indifferent to Asians in general. Thank you for the great program delving into the Korean Waves with much historical and cultural context. It was quite interesting as a Japanese-English interpreter who came to love BTS and study Korean!

[duke-tv]

On the screen, far left picture is not Koreans'. It's not Korean style Hanbok. It looks more like Japanese or southern Asia.

[ParKbgtn]

38:27 this is exactly what bapsae by bts is about

[thwlrvkdthwlr]

The women in the left photo are not Koreans, they are Japanese.

[maenene]

BTS THE BEST GROUP BAND ON EARTH 💜ARMYS🌏

[murderofcrows]

odd choice for the first black and white photo. NPR think your stuff through.

[HardworkDedication]

Cosplaying Black American music and culture like everybody else. Everybody wants that why not imitate it in an Asian face would obviously be marketable. But it's clearly not their culture. It's Black American culture and music in an Asian face. They tried the same thing white RnB groups in the US. It was white Americans cosplaying Black artists cause their kids were buying it. Then calling it rocknroll. The most popular American music culture is actually Black music culture repackaged so that the consumer doesn't know it. You really need to do a history of the global influence of Black American culture which would include hip hop influence on Korea. But you're not supposed to talk about that

[saoirsemaimcmahon]

Why is Korea at war again.. what begrudge is there ?

[dancelauren]

I need an original Popular Hip hop hits/in, before, and after Hip Hop most popular special fancam/solo and groups and also which write what's it, too!!!!

[jjrockjaw]

I don't know, their culture is not very diverse.

[Neo-Reloaded]

Sadly most of the fans of these kind of groups wouldn't be accepted in Korea, where racism is ubiquitous. What an ironic world we live.

[chrisbfreelance]

They copied Japanese pop culture, there is little outside of their cinema scene that is unique.