The Conception of Soft Power in Korean’s Popular Culture (original) (raw)
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Asya Studies, 2020
Abstract The phenomenon of power in International Relations is among the concepts often discussed. The concept of 'power' with rising realism in 20th century was understood as military and economic power; power extends beyond this meaning today and incorporates different elements. In this context, 'soft power' has become one of the most important and referred concepts in International Relations. The concept of soft power, which can be defined as the ability of an actor to make another actor to do something it would not likely do itself, is shaped through elements such as culture, politics, economics, diplomacy. In particular, the complex structure of international relations today makes the international actors' use of their 'soft power' potentials convenient. Today, the rapid leap in science and technology, especially the internet, has made it easier for states to produce, execute and disseminate soft power policies, making the use of soft power a kind of indispensable for a peaceful environment. In this study, the concept of power was first discussed within the framework of different approaches. Then the concept of hard power, which is one of the power types, is defined as the opposite of the concept of soft power. The main axis of the study, Joseph Nye's concept of soft power, was evaluated within the framework of International Relations and South Korea was examined as an example of soft power. Elements of soft power have been laid out in the context of the diplomatic, economic, cultural and political implications possessed by rising power South Korea. South Korea is particularly successful in presenting popular culture as the most basic source of its soft power.
Mapping South Korea’s Soft Power: Sources, Actors, Tools, and Impacts
2015
Debates concerning the rise and effects of soft power have flourished since Joseph Nye differentiated it from hard power by defining it as ‘the ability to alter other’s behaviour for what we want them to do by attraction’ (Nye, 2004: 11). According to Nye (1990, 2004, 2006) power can be generated by coercion (sticks), payments (carrots) or attraction (soft power). Among those means of power, soft power can be enhanced by sharing culture, values and foreign policies accommodating international norms. Despite the fact that some time has passed since the concept was first introduced as a principle of scholarly literature, soft power remains a somewhat ambiguous and multifaceted concept frequently put to work in social and political sciences in an attempt to explain the complexities of the contemporary world. In social and cultural studies the term is frequently used interchangeably with ‘cultural influence’. The export of popular culture is seen as the main vehicle through which the wo...
Is South Korea the New Quintessential Representation of Soft Power?
E-International Relations, 2022
Freely accessible at: https://www.e-ir.info/2022/09/18/is-south-korea-the-new-quintessential-soft-power/ Hardly a month passes without a new show of South Korea’s burgeoning cultural might, and this seems to be just the beginning. This article investigates the past and present of the phenomenon while speculating about what's ahead for the country.
KKI Policy Brief, 2021
Abstract: The Korean Wave is taking over the world, achieving great success in areas such as music and cinematography, and making Korean culture increasingly attractive. Culture being a crucial resource of soft power, which in turn serves as a powerful tool in international relations, the South Korean government is trying to take advantage of its improved national image and international influence. This analysis provides an overview of the relationship between the Korean government and the Korean Wave, how the perception of Korea has changed thanks to its cultural outflow, and how the government tries to use this to its advantage.