KOREAN POP CULTURE

Traces the rise of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave.

Divided into five parts, this short but informative book is a solid introduction to Korean pop culture. The globalization of Korean culture spans music, television, food, and fashion, boosting South Korea’s economy. Allen describes the deliberate strategy behind the nation’s rise from being “one of the world’s poorest nations” 50 years ago, lagging behind even North Korea, to its present-day success as a major exporter of culture and entertainment. Refusing to allow language to pose a barrier, the government decided that South Korea would “be the coolest country in the world—the only non-English-speaking nation ever to successfully export its pop culture,” according to journalist Euny Hong. A pivotal moment was PSY’s viral 2012 hit, “Gangnam Style,” and K-pop’s popularity has only grown since. K-dramas, which have benefited from government subsidies, appeal to global audiences thanks to their “inventive storytelling and glossy production values.” Allen also covers Korean cuisine and the spread of mukbang, or live-streamed videos of people eating large quantities of food, and the fever for K-fashion and K-beauty products. Ample full-color photos punctuate the text, adding to this entertaining and instructive work’s appeal. Informative text boxes add valuable context.

An engaging and easy-to-follow guide to a subject of wide interest.