Ten Myths About the Korean Wave in the Global Cultural Sphere

Abstract

This article discusses 10 of the most common myths about Hallyu. These myths do not encompass all misunderstandings and problematic standpoints relevant to Hallyu. Instead, I selected these major issues as they were concomitantly repeated whenever I read media reports, academic publications, and social media threads on Hallyu. Some were encountered at academic conferences I have attended over the past several years. I do not attempt to provide any grand statements; I want to offer a steppingstone for Hallyu scholars, cultural creators, and global fans to discuss these major myths more carefully, rather than simply taking them for granted.