1. Asian Americans & Hallyu
By Elizabeth Yuen

2. Survey
1. Do you consider yourself Asian American?
2. In your definition what is the “Korean Wave?/ Hallyu”?
3. Do you think that the Korean wave has penetrated America?
4. Why do you think the Korean Wave has gained so much popularity?
5. Do you yourself participate/ indulge in Korean pop culture (i.e. Kpop, fashion,
etc.)
6. Do you feel that with the rising popularity of Korean Pop Culture that others treat
you differently? (i.e. dancers, girls to be sexy, guys to be hot with their chocolate
abs)
7. How has Psy’s Gangnam Style changed how others view Asian Americans? Or
has it at all?
8. Has Korean Pop Culture shaped the way you present yourself to others?

3. In your definition what is the “Korean
Wave?/ Hallyu”?
 5/18 people did not know what Hallyu/ Korean Wave refers to
 The 13 that did know
7/13 came from an area with a fairly dense Asian population
(West Coast)
Generally known as “ rising popularity of South Korean culture
that is rippling outside of its own nation”

4. “In my opinion, the Korean wave has only made a small
impact in America. While New York and California has
been the venue for many KPOP concerts, and English
subbing websites like Viki and fan meetings are strong,
Korean entertainment and culture has a very niche
following. It does not have universal appeal to draw in
more fans, a fact that can be attributed to cultural
differences between America and South Korea. Many
Korean pop stars have tried to debut and make it big in
the United States, with mediocre success.”
-Jenny Mei
Do you think that the
Korean wave has
penetrated America?
• In my survey, generally the
Korean Wave has only made
ripples but has not
completely washed over
America.

5. Why Has Korean Pop
Culture Gained So
Much Popularity?
 “I think that Korean pop culture has become so popular
because of the incredibly extensive internet community
that has built upon it. I personally have been interested in
Korean pop culture for a long time and what I find
interesting that it has is an extensive online community
that has always been accessible to English-speakers. On
top of that, the Korean entertainment companies has
always seemed open to Western influences. Also, the
culture itself has consistently improved and the quality has
become very high over time. Unlike Japan, it does not
have an overwhelming number of artists, so it is easier to
follow.”-Joanna Mei
 “I think the Korean Wave has gained popularity because
it provides a nice alternative to American music, film, and
television. The celebrities are attractive, the music is
catchy, and the films and drama series are fun to watch.
Some also might find it easy to relate to South Korean
culture due to Asian backgrounds.”
-Micky Wong
“I think the popularity comes a lot
from a rising interest in an upbeat
and "poppy" style of fashion and
music. It also helps that this wave
occurred right as networking and
globalization began to expand
exponentially”
-Brandon Dong

6. “I wouldn't say I am only 'indulged'
into Korean culture. But I am more
open-minded to any other cultures. To
better understand our neighboring
countries/allies. ”
-Adrienne Lam
Do You Participate/
Indulge in Korean Pop
Culture?
For most of my response,
indulging in Korean pop culture
was merely a phase.
“I used to… but not as much
now…”
Indulges only as far as learning
the Korean alphabet

7. Do you feel that with the rising popularity of Korean
Pop Culture that others treat you differently?
 “Not really. I find what I am comfortable
with and people accept that for who I
am.”
-Howard Guan
 “Me specifically? no. But I feel that
korean women are now stereotyped
because of these kpop women's groups.
More and more, Korean women are
pressured to do plastic surgery and it
disgusts me. They have become less
tolerant of natural beauty, wanting to
conform because that's the "true" beauty
to them. and that bothers me.”
-Ferheen Abbasi

8. How Has Psy’s Gangnam Style change
how others perceive Asian Americans?
 “I feel that Psy may have done more harm
than good. I know, as an educated
individual, that Gangnam style was meant
to be a parody - to make fun of the
mainstream korean culture that people
assume is korean. However, the uneducated
assumed that it IS truly korean. I hate it
when non-asian people try to sing
Gangnam Style (ie Glee. God. That was
horrible). They're doing the language more
harm than good. But, I do acknowledge
that it has shined a light at Korea for being a
forefront in the music/pop industry, more
than it has ever done before.”
 -Ferheen Abassi
 I don't know if its changed how others view
Asian Americans. In the Bay Area, I don't
know if it has a lot of effect considering that
there are so many Asian Americans here
and we definitely aren't intensely mysterious
and too exclusive. Outside of the US, in
Argentina, I've found that Gangnam Style
seems to represent Asians like the song
Hotel California represents Californians.
-Joanna Mei

9. How has Korean Pop Culture Shaped the Way You Present Yourself to
Others?
Guy Response
 8/9 guys replied that it has not shaped
them in how they present themselves to
others.
 “I wouldn't say it has really shaped the
way I present myself to others but people
in general know that I'm fascinated with
Asian culture.”
-Matt Harmetz
Girls Response
 No, it hasn't really done that. Maybe before when I
cared more about being cute (lol). Korean girls used
to be really cute to me, but then I found out about
how fake those women are (because of plastic
surgery) and it's turned me away. I dislike that culture
that forces women to mutilate their bodies just
because society says that's beautiful.” [Ferheen
Abbasi]
 Asian Pop Culture in general has shaped me into a
more bubbly, cutesy type of person. I think the best
way to put it is that it's made me "more Asian.“
[Jenny Mei]
 I think in some way Korean Pop Culture has effected
the way I present myself. Probably more of the variety
shows and the different type of humor they have, I've
acquired more a Korean taste in humor in my own
sense of humor that I show. Makeup-wise and fashion-
wise yes, I often take much inspiration from the styles
of Korean singers and actresses. [Cassandra Au]

10. Concluding Thoughts
From interviewing, not all Asian Americans find that they can associate themselves with
Korean pop culture.
Although Korean pop culture has become slightly popular it has not yet penetrated
American ideals.
Asian Americans are into Korean Pop Culture at first to discover their roots but find that they
don’t accurately depict their Asian background.
Because the Korean wave was simply a wave, interviewees feel that perceptions haven’t
changed.
Some would much rather watch actual Asian American artists that present Asian American
issues such as Wongfu productions, Nigahiga, etc. {they find them more enjoyable and
relatable)