Analysis on South Korean Soft Power— Taking BTS, Parasite and Squid Game as Examples

Abstract

ABSTRACT South Korea's soft power is a potential factor that can help the country achieve more. It can increase economic developments, technological advancements, and current policies. Effective implementation of soft power in South Korea will result in a democratic political system. This paper describes the movie parasite, the boy band BTS and the Netflix show Squid Game and how the world received them. An analysis of how Asian culture has grown since the colonization of South Korea by the US and Japan is also evaluated. This paper describes how social media has affected the popularity of South Korean’s culture content through the archival research method. A qualitative approach was used to collect secondary data from the literature. This study's applied research method uncovered solutions to common problems like economic instability that innovative technologies can solve. Lastly, the paper ends with a conclusion about the South Korea’s soft power and how it can be improved. From the conclusion of this research, the Koreans have shifted their focus to their culture instead of Western modernity. This move has been enhanced by lifting the ban on foreign travel for Korean people, restructuring Korean chaebols, putting emphasis on infrastructure, and banning the censor laws. Keywords: Soft power, South Korea, Korean Culture, BTS, Parasite, Squid Game