How did South Korean films and television dramas contribute to the Korean Wave?

South Korean films and television dramas have been central to the rise of hallyu, or the "Korean Wave," a term coined in the late 1990s to describe the global success of South Korean popular culture.12

The phenomenon began in the late 1990s when dramas like What Is Love? and Star in My Heart gained popularity in China. This momentum expanded across Asia, notably with the success of Winter Sonata in Japan in 2003. The global reach of these dramas was further accelerated by the rise of online streaming services and the entry of Netflix into the South Korean market in 2016. High-profile productions such as Squid Game have since achieved massive international viewership.1

Similarly, the film industry has contributed to this cultural influence, with directors like Bong Joon-Ho and Park Chan-Wook gaining international stature. This surge in popularity has served as a significant economic and cultural asset, boosting tourism and increasing South Korea's global profile.21