[NEWS] Learning Korean by watching 'Strong Heart' ... The current situation of English culture

The culture of Korea has been stretching all over the world.

The 'Hallyu wave' of Asia originated from the culture of South Korea has now spreaded to Middle East, United States and Europe, etc. The culture is well received by people all over the word regardless of the borders, races and religions. The reporters of entertainment industry of Money Today has tried to visit the places and find out the reasons why K-culure has been blossoming there.
[K Culture shakes the world ②-1] Spreading Korean directly through the shows
There is 'K-Culture' boom in Europe.
In the past, the language barrier was avoided by the 'non-verbal' performances. Nowadays, K-POP,moives, dramas and etc, Korea culture has directly rooted in Europe.

The president of UK Big Bang's (a member of the YG family),fan club Liz (19, depicted in the photo)said after the establishment of internet fanclue page (Translator note: Liz said she is the creator of an unofficial fan page only which can be found at www.ukbigbang.tumblr.com/facebook.ukbigbang), they have already gained 1200 members.

2 years ago when she accidentally watched G-Dragon's( a member of Big Bang) Heartbreaker MV (the song was prosecuted as a product of plagiarism ), she became a fan.

Liz said, ' G- Dragon was very visual'. (Translator's note: Liz said G-Dragon's image had always been stuck in her head after watching the MV) When I search for the videos of Big Bang,I know Big Bang got a lot of fans and I get to know fans like me at a fast pace. '

Victoria (19, depicted in the photo) has much interest in the history of Korea. And while watching a drama, she knew Big Bang and then became a fan. She wants to know more about the history of South Korea so she translates and studies Korean. Therefore, naturally, she is exposed to Korean arts programme and music.


'After watching the appearance of G-Dragon in 'Strong Heart', I started to like Big Bang. I am really intrerested in the history of korea, like that in the Choson Dynasty, Baekje Dynasty,etc.'


In fact, there are many programmes produced by South Korea which have no subtitles. However, the number of people who are helping to do the subtitling for the English is growing.


K-POP movies fan, Igor Rodriguez (17,depicted in the photo) also shares his story with us. In the high school that he is studying, there is a study group of Korean and about 10 students have joined it. Although there are no Korean students in his school to teach them, they learn the language by watching movies and listening to music when they have the meetings. Rodriguez was wearing a Big Bang T-Shirt which he bought in Uniqlo UK. The Japanese company , Uniqlo produced these T-shirts to commemorate the debut of Big Bang in Japan.

Igor Rodriguez on the left and at the right hand side is the K-POP contest winner Cheryl J. Thompson.

'K-POP , including music, dancing and fashion are all good. The artists of America and Britain are also well received but I think it is nice that fans are willing to have a try on other things.'


The Embassy of Korea Culture Council in Britain has held a K-POP contest in the last three days The winner of the contest, Cheryl J. Thompson (19, depicted in the photo) knows how to read Korean already. He began to learn Korean when he was watching the drama , 'Boys Over Flowers'. He won the contest with a very big competitive edge.


'I do not know very well why my friends get into K-POP but for me, K-POP's dance pattern is extremely addictive. After all, they practise so hard to be able to do this.'


The spreading of K-POP (movies, dramas) has been speeding up by the help of You Tube, Facebook and other internet social networking services (SNS).


In the 'multi-ethnical' country, UK, K-Culture is one of the examples how 'multiculturalism' is working there. For a fan base, they do not distinguish you by what races you are, how you look like or which religion you believe in. The Blacks, the Whites, the Asians, the people from Middle East and the Muslim fans are all mixed together. And the K-Culture-loving young Eurpeans are learning Koreans naturally by saying 'Annyeonghaseyo안녕하세요 ' (i.e.Hello), 'Kamsahamnida 감사합니다'.' (i.e.Thank you) , 'Saranghaeyo, 사랑해요 (i.e.I love you) and 'Jingu 친구 (i.e. friend) and 'Jinja 진짜 (i.e.Really),etc.


It was not a long time ago that Shinee held a showcase in London and the popularity of K culture has also been revealed. A potential fan base of K-POP has been gradually emerging to the surface.Although there were neither toilets nor restaurants,there were still as many as 1000 fans who went to see the show and waited for Shinee. And for now, the K-cuture fans have more wants which they want to be granted.


'Big Bang, Super Junior, 2NE1, After School, Kim Hyeongjung, I really want to see them. '


Source: naver
Translated by: Rice @bigbangupdates