K-Pop! Assessing the Impact of Korean Wave in Chile
Dr. Wonjung Min, Seoul National University Asia Center. Talk will be provided ONLINE via zoom.
Tuesday, May 27, 20255:00 PM
This talk explores the historical, social, cultural, economic, and political impact of the Korean Wave, or K-pop, in Latin America, with a particular focus on Chile—where Los K-Popers passionately embrace Korean pop music. As South Korean culture extends beyond its traditional sphere in Asia, it has garnered significant media attention and a rapidly expanding fanbase in Latin America. However, key questions arise: Is this transnational reception of Korean culture a fleeting trend or a lasting cultural shift? Can cultural exchange between South Korea and Latin America deepen intercultural understanding? What role does social media play in shaping and sustaining this phenomenon?
This discussion examines the dynamic interaction between South Korea as a cultural "sender" and Latin American fandom as a "receiver," analyzing how K-pop is interpreted and adapted within Chile’s cultural landscape. It explores how Chilean fans navigate cultural hybridity, identity, and representation, reflecting both admiration and the complexities of cross-cultural consumption.
Additionally, the talk traces the evolution of the Korean Wave since the early 21st century, considering the impact of government policies, digital media platforms, and fan-driven engagement in facilitating its expansion. Chile, as a recognized K-pop hub in Latin America, offers a compelling case study of how local fans receive, reinterpret, and sometimes challenge foreign cultural influences. Ultimately, this talk highlights how Chile’s engagement with K-pop contributes to broader discussions on cultural globalization, fandom dynamics, and the reception of unfamiliar cultures in Latin America.
Dr. Wonjung Min is a Visiting Researcher Fellow at Seoul National University Asia Center. She specializes in Latin American literature, with a focus on the Asian diaspora and Asian pop culture fandom in the Spanish-speaking world. She previously taught at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is currently a researcher at the Seoul National University Asia Center. She co-authored Transnational Hallyu (2021) and edited Estudios Coreanos para hispanohablantes (2015), publishing widely on the reception of Asian pop culture in Latin America.
This is part of the "Koreans in the World" project hosted by UCLA's Center for Korean Studies. This event is supported by the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS Award Number: AKS-2023-SRI-2200001) as part of its Strategic Research Institute Program for Korean Studies.
To attend this talk, please visit registration below and click zoom link.
Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies, Latin American Institute, Academy of Korean Studies
