Hallyu in North Korea: Cultural Infiltration and Its Reality
Hallyu in North Korea: Cultural Infiltration and Its Reality Background of Hallyu's Influx into North Korea The influx of Hallyu (Korean Wave) into North Korea is not just a cultural phenomenon but a politically significant one as well. Ironically, the introduction of Hallyu began during the arduous "March of Suffering" under Kim Jong-il's regime. During this time, North Korean citizens faced severe food shortages, forcing them to turn to marketplaces and smuggling for survival. It was through these channels that South Korean popular culture started to make its way into North Korea. Particularly in Hwanghae Province, geographically close to South Korea, citizens could watch South Korean broadcasts in real time, and the superior quality of South Korean products entering through the Kaesong Industrial Complex further fueled admiration for the South. Spread and Expansion of Hallyu Hallyu's infiltration into North Korea began in the early 1990s through the music of ...