The Multifaceted Potential of K-pop: A Deep Dive into K-pop's Cultural Diplomacy & Socio-Political Role in Global Dynamics
Authors
Henriksen, Mille Brix Husted ; Rasmussen, Julie Melholdt
Term
4. term
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-29
Pages
122
Abstract
This thesis examines how K-pop’s global reach supports South Korea’s soft power (influence through attraction rather than coercion) and cultural diplomacy, and how the industry engages with global socio-political issues. Grounded in theories of soft power and cultural diplomacy, and informed by critical feminist perspectives on gender and power, it offers a historical overview of Hallyu (the Korean Wave) and the cultural, economic, and political forces that shaped the multifaceted K-pop industry. The study draws on qualitative evidence from 13 semi-structured interviews with K-pop fans, an industry employee, NGO workers, and international relations experts. Findings show that K-pop operates as a key soft-power resource for South Korea and that the industry takes part in socio-political advocacy. K-pop enhances the country’s diplomatic engagement and can improve both bilateral and multilateral relations. At the same time, the industry participates in both positive and contentious forms of activism and advocacy on issues such as gender dynamics, social justice, climate change, and cultural pressures. Technological advances and social media enable this engagement by empowering non-state actors, civil society, and K-pop fandoms to mobilize and drive social movements globally. The thesis also highlights limits and challenges to idols acting as diplomats and activists, including internal constraints within South Korea’s entertainment industry and external political tensions that can reduce K-pop’s effectiveness as soft power. It concludes that idols and international fandoms wield substantial influence to shape perceptions and champion socio-political causes, underscoring the complex links between popular culture, soft power, and global activism. The thesis contributes a comprehensive analysis of K-pop’s socio-political dimensions and its role in contemporary international relations, offering new insights into the strategic significance of popular culture in shaping global narratives and fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan K-pops globale udbredelse bidrager til Sydkoreas soft power (indflydelse gennem tiltrækning fremfor tvang) og kultur-diplomati, samt hvordan branchen engagerer sig i globale socio-politiske spørgsmål. Med afsæt i teorier om soft power og kulturelt diplomati, suppleret af kritisk-feministiske perspektiver på køn og magt, giver specialet et historisk overblik over Hallyu (den koreanske bølge) og de kulturelle, økonomiske og politiske forhold, der har formet den mangefacetterede K-pop-industri. Analysen bygger på kvalitative data fra 13 semistrukturerede interviews med K-pop-fans, en branchemedarbejder, NGO-ansatte og eksperter i internationale relationer. Resultaterne viser, at K-pop fungerer som en central soft-power-ressource for Sydkorea, og at industrien aktivt deltager i socio-politisk fortalervirksomhed. K-pop styrker landets diplomatiske engagement og kan forbedre både bilaterale og multilaterale relationer. Samtidig engagerer industrien sig i både positive og problematiske former for aktivisme og advocacy inden for emner som kønsdynamikker, social retfærdighed, klimaændringer og kulturelt pres. Teknologiske fremskridt og sociale medier understøtter denne udvikling ved at give ikke-statslige aktører, civilsamfund og K-pop-fandoms mulighed for at mobilisere og drive sociale bevægelser globalt. Specialet peger også på begrænsninger og udfordringer ved idoler som diplomater og aktivister, herunder interne forhold i den sydkoreanske underholdningsindustri og eksterne politiske spændinger, der kan svække K-pops effekt som soft power. Afslutningsvis konkluderes det, at idoler og internationale fandoms har betydelig indflydelse på holdninger og kan fremme socio-politiske sager, hvilket fremhæver det komplekse samspil mellem populærkultur, soft power og global aktivisme. Specialet bidrager med en samlet analyse af K-pops socio-politiske dimensioner og dets rolle i nutidens internationale relationer og giver nye indsigter i, hvordan populærkultur strategisk kan præge globale fortællinger og fremme kulturel udveksling.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
K-pop ; cultural diplomacy ; soft power ; socio-political issues ; South Korea ; fan activism ; gender dynamics ; feminist critical studies ; censorship ; artivism ; North Korea ; K-pop activism ; K-diplomacy ; Hallyu ; Korean wave ; cultural pressures ; heteronormativity ; co-optation ; patriarchy ; intersectionality ; post-structural feminism ; South Korean culture