By Lakhvinder Singh
Until modern times Korea was known as a hermit kingdom, mysterious to most of the world. Not anymore. Korea has reached the world stage. Its economy has grown into one of the largest in the world, and its cultural influence extends far beyond its borders. Few would have thought that Korean culture could have such a grip over Asia in such a short span of time.
The recent success of "Gangnam Style" as a cultural sensation has elevated the global awareness of Korea. Its influence is reflected beyond the music industry as K-POP is bolstering the country's soft power. Many neighboring countries are taking a cue from South Korea to extend their own soft power image as well. Today Hong Kong's Canto-pop is achieving global fame by imitating the style and mannerisms of K-POP stars
It is not only Korean music winning hearts around the world; Korean films are increasing in global popularity. Recently Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy" received world wide acclaim. Korean TV is reaching out also, making fans in unlikely corners of the world such as Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. "Huh Jun," a Korean epic historical drama, became one of the most watched TV shows in Iraq and is chart topping in other parts of Asia.
Koreans are not only reaching out to the world, but the world is reaching out to Korea. Increasing interest in Korean culture brings millions of foreigners here. More than 10 million visit Korea every year to experience this fascinating country.
Forget those days when Koreans were flooding universities abroad to learn from other cultures. Now the number of foreign students studying at Korean universities is increasing by thousands each year, and is expected to be around 200,000 by 2023. To welcome these foreign students the Korean government is developing a variety of funding and policy initiatives, including the easing of visa restrictions, increasing employment support, and expanding the country's education structure of English-taught programs. As a result of these efforts, Korea is emerging as a center of excellence in many advanced areas of science and technology. Some of Korea's science and technology institutes have attained worldwide recognition and boast some of the best minds in these fields. Not long ago Korea was a homogenous society. Now more foreigners prefer to make their new home here. More than two million foreigners are now living in Korea permanently.
All these developments speak to Korea's growing acceptability abroad; and it shows how increasingly Koreans are seeing themselves as part of the greater world community. After living as a small hermit country, they are now striving for their due place under the sun. This yearning for recognition is not expected to end with economic and cultural cooperation. It will go far beyond that.
Our world is going through fundamental and structural changes. The West, which led the world for the last 500 years, is declining. Asia is regaining its affluence and influence. Korea is emerging as the epicenter of this new wave of excellence from Asia.
In the coming times, it is predicted that Korea‘s influence will extend far beyond economics, culture, diplomacy and education. Korea can be compared to 15th century Britain: a very small country, with excellent human resources that ultimately produced the renaissance movement, enlightened the whole world, and brought Europe out from the dark ages. Something similar is expected to happen in Asia. Korea will play the same role as Britain in the past. Korea is on the doorstep to lead the world into a new renaissance era. You can feel a wave of creativity and energy overflowing everywhere.
Asia's growth story has begun and Korea will play a leading role in it. The Asian Renaissance will begin in Korea and enlighten the whole world.
The writer is the director of the peace program at The Asia Institute in Seoul.
Until modern times Korea was known as a hermit kingdom, mysterious to most of the world. Not anymore. Korea has reached the world stage. Its economy has grown into one of the largest in the world, and its cultural influence extends far beyond its borders. Few would have thought that Korean culture could have such a grip over Asia in such a short span of time.
The recent success of "Gangnam Style" as a cultural sensation has elevated the global awareness of Korea. Its influence is reflected beyond the music industry as K-POP is bolstering the country's soft power. Many neighboring countries are taking a cue from South Korea to extend their own soft power image as well. Today Hong Kong's Canto-pop is achieving global fame by imitating the style and mannerisms of K-POP stars
It is not only Korean music winning hearts around the world; Korean films are increasing in global popularity. Recently Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy" received world wide acclaim. Korean TV is reaching out also, making fans in unlikely corners of the world such as Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. "Huh Jun," a Korean epic historical drama, became one of the most watched TV shows in Iraq and is chart topping in other parts of Asia.
Koreans are not only reaching out to the world, but the world is reaching out to Korea. Increasing interest in Korean culture brings millions of foreigners here. More than 10 million visit Korea every year to experience this fascinating country.
Forget those days when Koreans were flooding universities abroad to learn from other cultures. Now the number of foreign students studying at Korean universities is increasing by thousands each year, and is expected to be around 200,000 by 2023. To welcome these foreign students the Korean government is developing a variety of funding and policy initiatives, including the easing of visa restrictions, increasing employment support, and expanding the country's education structure of English-taught programs. As a result of these efforts, Korea is emerging as a center of excellence in many advanced areas of science and technology. Some of Korea's science and technology institutes have attained worldwide recognition and boast some of the best minds in these fields. Not long ago Korea was a homogenous society. Now more foreigners prefer to make their new home here. More than two million foreigners are now living in Korea permanently.
All these developments speak to Korea's growing acceptability abroad; and it shows how increasingly Koreans are seeing themselves as part of the greater world community. After living as a small hermit country, they are now striving for their due place under the sun. This yearning for recognition is not expected to end with economic and cultural cooperation. It will go far beyond that.
Our world is going through fundamental and structural changes. The West, which led the world for the last 500 years, is declining. Asia is regaining its affluence and influence. Korea is emerging as the epicenter of this new wave of excellence from Asia.
In the coming times, it is predicted that Korea‘s influence will extend far beyond economics, culture, diplomacy and education. Korea can be compared to 15th century Britain: a very small country, with excellent human resources that ultimately produced the renaissance movement, enlightened the whole world, and brought Europe out from the dark ages. Something similar is expected to happen in Asia. Korea will play the same role as Britain in the past. Korea is on the doorstep to lead the world into a new renaissance era. You can feel a wave of creativity and energy overflowing everywhere.
Asia's growth story has begun and Korea will play a leading role in it. The Asian Renaissance will begin in Korea and enlighten the whole world.
The writer is the director of the peace program at The Asia Institute in Seoul.
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