What is Korea known for???

#1 K-pop

Korean Popular music, or Kpop, has been flooding Korean ears for decades now, but it’s only hit the mainstream in the last couple of years. The super-coordinated dancing, futuristic fashion, and polished looks have fans the world over-obsessed with their favorite band. In the Korean music industry, kids join various labels as trainees and spend many months or years training in singing, dancing, cultural practices, language, and more, until they eventually “debut” as a solo artist or part of a group

There are whole vocabularies surrounding Kpop, but for the uninitiated, the industry can be overwhelming. Suffice it to say that the biggest bands can bring fans all the way to Seoul just to see where music videos were shot or to eat at a star’s branded cafe. Bands like BTS and BlackPink, in particular, have crossed cultural barriers, expanding out of Korea and even out of Asia over the last two years. Bonus: KHipHop, or Korean Hip Hop and Rap, is a huge influence from the Korean diaspora, with many famous KPop idols later switching to the hip hop genre.

#2 Cinema

While Korean Dramas have been popular throughout Asia for years, thanks to streaming services like Netflix they’re now hitting the global mainstream. Part of the appeal of Korean Dramas is that they’re specifically short-term, usually only 1 or 2 seasons, allowing actors to be involved in a variety of projects throughout the year. Korean movies are also on the rise, however, with the long-running Busan International Film Festival drawing increasingly large crowds every October. This is especially true now as these cinematic, internationally-appealing masterpieces like Okja and Parasite are released in theatres the world over.

#3 Cosmetics

Korean cosmetics have long been famous in neighboring China and Japan, but have now made their way beyond East Asia thanks to the infamous 12-step skincare routine. In Korea, cosmetics is a category that includes makeup and anything which prepares your face for makeup. Korean cosmetics take a simultaneously scientific and natural approach to skincare, selling you on face masks and toners and serums and sunscreens which purport to keep everything clean and glowing & smelling like organic green tea from Jeju.

#4 Cosmetic Surgery

Korea and Seoul, in particular, has become a hub for medical tourism throughout Asia. Known for affordability and professionalism, the hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics in Seoul alone will all be accessible in a minimum of six languages, and often more. But plastic surgery isn’t only popular for foreigners; Koreans are infamous for being rather blasé regarding cosmetic procedures. Things like double eyelid surgery, breast surgery, facelifts, nose jobs, and jawline surgery are almost commonplace these.

#5 Fashion trends

Seoul is indisputably the fashion capital of Asia. From modernizing the hanbok (Korean traditional outfit) and bringing back the 90’s (fanny packs & circle glasses, anyone?), Korea’s become the center for Asian fashion trends. Shanghai and Bangkok make good efforts to compete, but Seoul Fashion Week is the place to be every fall. Even just walking around the palaces of Seoul, you’ll see how seriously Koreans of all ages take their appearances, from clothing and accessories to makeup and hairstyles. Take a walk in the neighborhoods of Hongdae and Gangnam any evening of the week and you’ll get a sense of how much Korean fashion now influences not only the rest of Asia, but Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and beyond.

#6 Incredible internet

Korea and Japan supposedly tie on this one, but Korea’s internet connection is unbeatable. Unlike their eastern neighbors, they have free wifi all over; in cafes, movie theatres, public parks, and beaches. Koreans love staying connected, and this is made obvious by the reach and strength of their internet infrastructure.

#7 taekwondo

This may seem like a small thing, but ask any Korean and they’ll most likely tell you that they took taekwondo lessons as a kid. It’s sort of a right of passage here, much more popular than golf or table tennis. Also, if you call taekwondo Japanese or Chinese, get ready for a flying kick to the face. Or at least the closest wooden board.

#8 Soju

This clear liquor is traditionally distilled from rice and famously served in green bottles priced at less than $1USD each. Soju comes in an original flavor, as well as several fruit flavors made by over a dozen companies of varying sizes. The traditional flavor was actually the best-selling liquor in the world a few years back, topping vodka, rum, and tequila. There are even special glasses for taking shots of soju, and when you sit down for a group meal, you’re usually brought both a beer glass and a soju shot glass. Soju is especially popular with Korean barbeque.

#9 K-drama actor/actress

Besides K-pop, another Hallyu wave that has gained international spotlight from fans when it comes to the South Korean entertainment is, of course, K-Dramas.

Korean dramas more popularly known as K-dramas, are television series in the Korean language, made in South Korea. Korean dramas are popular worldwide, partially due to the spread of Korean popular culture (the "Korean Wave"), and their widespread availability via streaming services which often offer subtitles in multiple languages. Many K-dramas have been adapted throughout the world, and some have had great impact on other countries. Some of the most famous dramas have been broadcast via traditional television channels in other countries. For example, Dae Jang Geum (2003) was sold to 91 countries. K-dramas have attracted attention for their fashion, style and culture all over the world. The rise in popularity of Korean dramas had led to a great boost to fashion line. The Korean actor and actresses are very popular especially in the Philippines today.