A comprehensive and critical introduction to understanding the Korean Wave (Hallyu) as a transnational media phenomenon.
This book provides an accessible introduction to the Korean Wave-the rapid growth of local cultural industries and the global popularity of Korean popular culture over the past 30 years-providing historical, political, economic, and socio-cultural context to its initial rise and enduring popularity. Jin explores the transnational cultural flows of Hallyu across a variety of products and digital technologies-from television dramas, film, and K-pop to online games, and webtoons-and explains the process of cross-media convergence and the socio-political contexts behind the Hallyu phenomenon. He also explores how overseas fans and audiences advance K-pop fandom as social agents in different geo-cultural contexts. The book concludes by discussing if Hallyu can become a sustainable global popular culture beyond a fan-based regional cultural phenomenon. Each c
