Former minister authors book on spread of hallyu

Former Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik recently released a new book, “Hallyu Road,” focusing on the Korean Wave.

In the book, the former director of the National Museum, Cultural Heritage Administration and the Culture Ministry traces how Korea, the “recipient” of pop culture transmitted from Japan, the U.S. and other countries, became an “exporter” of culture through K-pop singers, popular TV dramas, films and even literature such as Shin Kyung-sook’s “Please Look After Mom.” 

The author calls the phenomenon “Hallyu Road” after the Silk Road that linked the East and West in years gone by.

Choe talks about memorable moments, including his endeavor to have actress Lee Young-ae, a popular hallyu star, appear at the opening of a Persian exhibition at the National Museum to attract top-tier Iranian officials. He also recalls talking a reluctant entertainment firm into holding a K-pop concert in Paris.

The author suggests the future of hallyu lies in learning from the past and making improvements.

“It is the best way to bring conventional yet new aspects of Korean culture,” he writes.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)