KPOP Meaning
Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, is the spread of Korean culture abroad and the consumption of cultural goods and related products that follows. That is how Korea's Framework Act on the Promotion of the Hallyu Industry, enacted in October 2024, defines the word, and Korea.net, the government's official site, uses it in its survey reports. Hallyu covers far more than K-pop, including food, dramas, film and beauty. In the 2026 overseas Hallyu survey of 27,400 people in 30 countries who had experienced Korean content, 69.7% viewed it favorably, and food (55.1%) edged out music (54%) as the most popular category in respondents' home countries.
Usage
Used for Korea's cultural reach abroad: "a Hallyu star." K-pop is one part of it.
Examples
- In the 2026 overseas Hallyu survey, food (78%) was the area of Korean content the most respondents had used or bought.
- BTS — Named the most influential Hallyu star (6.9%) in the 2026 overseas Hallyu survey.
In context
Sources
- Korea.net: 2026 overseas Hallyu survey (March 30, 2026)
What we checked
Korea.net: 2026 overseas Hallyu survey (March 30, 2026)
- Korea Law Information Center: Framework Act on the Promotion of the Hallyu Industry
What we checked
Korea Law Information Center: Framework Act on the Promotion of the Hallyu Industry