언론사

Japanese ‘The Fourth Korean Wave’ Trend

The Cheongdae times Cub reporter Ji-Hyeong Kim

https://www.moneys.co.kr/news/mwView.php?no=2023060123464728486

In Japan, there used to recognize the ‘Korean wave’ as K-pop or K-dramas. But now, the ‘Korean wave’ contains not only K-pop or K-dramas but also K-food, K-beauty, and the Korean language. The ‘Korean wave’ is having a more varied influence on the Japanese younger generation’s daily life. This is ‘The Fourth Korean Wave’

http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20230522000473

In Japan, the Popularity of Korean foods is very high. As a result, there have many long lines in front of Korean restaurants and Korean street food shops which are located in Shinokubo in Tokyo.

Also, it’s easy to meet Japanese youth. In a recent survey, Korea was ranked high as a travel destination among Japanese people. Some people who can’t visit Korea visit Shinokubo instead.

https://flixpatrol.com/title/young-lady-and-gentleman/

K-contents which include K-dramas are also one of the most famous Korean wave trends. In Netflix for the Japanese market, K-contents like K-dramas and K-movies rank high. So, K-contents are one of the competitive parts of the ‘Korean wave’.

In the past, Korea used to remake Japanese popular content. But now, Japan also remakes Korean famous content such as Itaewon Class turned into Roppongi Class. To see this situation, I think that K-contents have developed a lot. I also think we can see the Japanese ‘Korean wave’ is very popular.

https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25163928

K-beauty is also very popular among Japanese young people. Industry officials say that K-beauty increased in popularity because it contains good materials and the covers are designed for the package and can make it easily stand out.



Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency reported K-beauty harmonizes with Korean wave stars’ images using SNS and K-beauty which is especially well known. Cosmetics contain high-quality ingredients but the costs are low. So, K-beauty has become popular.

Korea is ranked 1st on the Japanese importing country list for cosmetics. Korean companies’ sales are increasing and Korean companies are targeting the Japanese market. But, there is a sad point. K-beauty only targets the Japanese Z-generation. K-beauty has to target other generations. I feel If K-beauty solves this problem, K-beauty can grow more.

https://www.moneys.co.kr/news/mwView.php?no=2023060123464728486

The Korean language has also become part of the ‘Korean wave’. In Japan, people who are Z-generation have started using the Korean language in their daily life. As a result, corporate advertising and stores’ Neon signs tend to include the Korean language.  

For example, ‘ABC MART’ made their copy to use the Korean language and Hashtag. ‘Nongshim’ used the Korean language for ‘Shin Ramen’ copy which contains women saying “delicious” in the Korean language.

I think the Korean language has grown by using the K-contents’ power. I hope the Japanese ‘Korean wave trend’ goes strong and I also hope interchanges in Korea and Japan increase and Korean companies’ sales in Japan increase.