It's a K-World and we are just living in it
I think I first noticed the automobiles. This was the early 2000's. And then in the real estate business, I started to notice the appliances. Then the televisions. Samsung and LG everywhere.
Finally, the smartphones. Today, Samsung is the biggest player in the Android space. They don't compete with other Android phone providers; they compete with Apple.
At the same time, I was myself watching a few Korean film and television productions. Thanks Netflix. Which introduced me to K-Pop. Not that I listen to much contemporary music of any variety, but there is such a thing as English-language K-Pop. Some of it is pretty good. For some time, it was at the top of my iTunes most played. I watched IU sing Bruno Mars. I had totally missed Psy's Gangnam Style; but most people on the planet did not miss it. Yes, that Youtube view count is over five billion. Notice also that there are over five million comments.
What I notice most today are the Korean beauty products. Yes, K-Beauty, of course. I even see ads for K-Skin. Basically Korea is setting the beauty standards for all of Asia. Korean barbecue is everywhere. And even more automobiles and appliances and electronics which have gotten bigger, nicer, and more luxurious. Will they eventually overtake Japan?
Now I know very little about Korean culture. But what I am talking about here are Korean exports, not only products like cars, appliances, electronics, and smartphones, but also cultural exports like food, beauty standards, and entertainment. And the smartphone ecosystems have become a growing part of our culture worldwide.
I do know that the fertility rate in Korea has fallen to a global low. I guess they have other things to do? And I am aware of the 4B movement, but it is difficult to measure its impact. Both in and out of the country, 4B seems to be more noise than substance. Korean politics have always been volatile and that continues. So while there are interesting trends coming out of Korea, not everything is perfect.
Meanwhile North Korea hangs overhead like a dagger in the dark.