The blooming Korean culture
For a few years now, South Korea has been arousing a lot of interest throughout the world. Korean series (K-drama) are breaking popularity records. One of the latest, Squid Game, has been a hit on Netflix since its release in September 2021. It has become the most-watched Netflix series, prompting millions of viewers to take Korean lessons. But before Squid Game, there was already the K-pop craze, and its impact persists today, thanks to groups like BTS, Blackpink, NCT, Mamamoo and TXT. These artists have become ambassadors of their country through their music and have introduced Korean culture to the world. Thanks to music, clothes, TV shows, books, manhwa (Korean comics), among others, more and more people are opting for total immersion and discovering South Korea on a WHP (Working Holiday Permit), a student visa, or a work visa.
Pop culture made a massive buzz in the United Kingdom as well. A report by the University Council for Modern Languages in 2021 showed that enrollment in Korean language courses had more than tripled between 2012 and 2018. The same is true for Japanese language courses, and universities are catching on. In 2018, only 19% of British universities offered Japanese and Korean courses. By 2020-2021, that number had risen to 39 percent. For experts, this is a significant long-term shift while European cultures seem to be losing their influence. Younger generations are more attracted to Asian cultures. South Korea has made a place for itself and is not to be compared to Japanese or Chinese culture.
The world's most inspiring cultures
Behind the K-culture craze lies a plan devised 30 years ago by the Korean government. The "hallyu", the Korean wave, consists precisely in spreading Korean culture through pop and lifestyle. And it's working. Likewise, Japan and its "cool Japan" slogan have relied on a similar soft power with Mangas, animated films, video games, gastronomy, and clothing, and this is how every year, thousands of expatriates go on an adventure in the land of the rising sun. Asian cultures are gaining in popularity not only in the UK but throughout Europe. They are also spreading across Africa and the Americas. Pop culture plays a big role in bringing foreign cultures to millions of viewers at a very young age. Here again, Japan, thanks to its anime, and South Korea, with its TV shows and music, stand out. But they aren't the only countries with such amazing cultures. There is also a growing interest in Indian productions. Such interest in a foreign culture can turn into a passion big enough to trigger an unstoppable urge for moving overseas.
But are some cultures more influential than others? The answers to this question can be as varied as the people themselves. While Asian cultures are widely spread through fashionable music, clothing, and fiction, one should not ignore that many expatriates have other interests. Foreigners in Japan are far from being all passionate about Japanese animation. Sometimes, there is even a silent war waging between the enthusiasts who love tea art, calligraphy, history, and floral art, who claim to be the "noble" ones, and the others. In this sense, manga and video game fans are often considered "sub-passionate". But in the end, they are all similar in how they all enjoy Japanese culture to the point of immigrating to the country, learning the language, studying there, and finding a job there. It is the same for other cultures, but some benefit from an exposure that others do not have. The artistic scene and the distribution channels play a big part in that kind of transmission.
Discovering a culture and moving abroad
Why is there a stronger interest in a specific culture? The most romantic will say that one encounters a culture just like lovers meet! There's first the discovery, then the deeper interest, and finally, the steamy passion. The more pragmatic will speak of carefully considered choices. Over the past decades, the powerful Chinese economy has drawn millions of young people to move to China to learn the language and work. The professional opportunity has gradually turned into an interest in the country, its history and culture. Others will mention common interests. A passion for a particular fashion, cuisine, or music can lead to expatriation. To learn how to dye from “Bazin” dyers, some do not hesitate to go to Senegal or Ivory Coast (this fabric is very popular in West Africa).
Regardless of the reason for moving abroad, one must keep in mind that life in the host country is bound to be different from its TV version. Years spent dreaming of a trip can make one believe that one "knows". In truth, one does know, but often only to a certain extent, and sometimes through the lens of an artist, a director, or one's own mind. There are bound to be confirmations, surprises, or disillusionments. But there are so many ways to better understand a culture and, therefore, better live one's expat experience.
