Research Study on the Reception of Korean Popular Culture in the United States

Faculty Publication related to this project

 

Project Description

The phenomenon of the Korean Wave, namely the growing popularity of K-pop, Korean dramas, Korean films, and Korean television variety shows around the world, has received much media and scholarly attention and has given rise to Hallyu studies.  What is missing and needs systematic investigation is a careful empirical examination of the reception of Korean popular culture in the United States, arguably the most difficult media market to penetrate for non-Western cultural products. In this study, we seek to examine the factors behind the appeal of Korean pop culture across racially and ethnically diverse groups of Americans. Through in-depth interviews and an online survey with American K-pop fans, the study seeks to delineate the ways by which Korean pop culture is disseminated, consumed, and negotiated. It also highlights the short- and long-term impacts of engagement for fans of the Korean Wave. The Center hosted an international conference on this subject.

Here is visualization of some of the preliminary findings from the online survey: [link]. 

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