The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) in collaboration with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), held the Forum on Understanding of Hallyu Acceptance and Cultural Diversity on April 23 (Tue) at the KOCIS Center in Seoul. The forum aimed to enhance the cultural acceptance of K-content, which is spreading globally, and to explore future directions for Hallyu.

Demand for In-Depth Global Sensitivity as the Popularity of Hallyu Content Increases

Hallyu content has solidified its status as a global pop culture phenomenon based on its high popularity. However, issues such as distorted depictions of specific cultural zones or countries, cultural appropriation without understanding or respecting other cultures, and controversies over cultural property are also arising. These issues pose critical questions to international fans with diverse cultural backgrounds about how to correctly approach and understand Hallyu content, demanding a deeper global sensitivity from Hallyu content creators.

Diverse Academic Opinions and Industry Responses to Cultural Diversity Discussed

To this end, MCST aims to explore the value of Hallyu and cultural diversity and to lead discussions on the direction Hallyu should take moving forward. Experts from government, academia, industry, and related institutions were invited to assess the acceptance of Hallyu in various cultural spheres and to find a way for Hallyu to be inclusive.

In the first part, under the theme Comprehensive Understanding of Hallyu and Cultural Diversity, opinions from various academic fields were presented. Professor LEE Seong Min from the Korea National Open University discussed Cultural Diversity from a Hallyu Perspective and Challenges for a New Leap, while Professor LEE Gyu Tak from George Mason University Korea spoke on K-Pop and Cultural Diversity: A New Era of K-Pop. KANG Shin Kyu, a senior researcher at the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation, planned to discuss elements representing the gaming sector’s diversity under the theme “Progressing Diversity in K-Gaming.

In the second part, under the theme Diagnosing Hallyu Acceptance: Focused on Genres and Field Experiences, opinions from the industry and field were heard. KIM Yun Ha, a pop culture critic, diagnosed cultural diversity in K-Pop through three key terms: artists, fandom, and content. LEE Kyung Jin, head of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Office at Smilegate, introduced the background of establishing their D&I Office and discussed the responsibility of cultural content’s social impact and its global reach under the value of “Delight Everyone.” JANG Min Jin, head of the corporation at Iyuno, presented on the topic Challenges of Cultural Diversity from a Localization Perspective, continuing the discussion on cultural diversity in the video subtitle sector.

In particular, three international students from Myanmar, Italy, and Iran who participated in the 2023 Global Culture Planning Team “Outlookie[1]“ also attended this forum. They emphasized the importance of mutual cultural exchange and understanding of other cultures and ethnicities to enhance the acceptance of Hallyu based on their personal experiences with Hallyu.

YONG Ho Sung, Deputy Minister of International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office at MCST, stated, “This forum will be a valuable discussion platform that explores how Hallyu is perceived and accepted within the global culture while also establishing the direction that Hallyu content should head towards. Cultural diversity will be a crucial orientation for the identity and sustainable expansion of Hallyu.”