Cultural Developments through Hallyu and Indonesia’s Future

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Korean Cultural Center (KCC) Indonesia held “The Cultural Cooperation and Korean Wave (Hallyu)” Seminar in addressing the current status of Hallyu and the impact in the country it is hosted in, Indonesia. Participated by officials from the Indonesian government, scholars, media and leaders of entertainment companies that are a part of supporting the popular culture to rise in a foreign country, and notably attended by Dr. Marie Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy from Indonesia with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia Kim Young-sun.

Various presentations were brought in to highlight the issues of what made Hallyu popular and how to sustain Hallyu, in focus to sustain it in Indonesia.

It questions how to spread the culture positively and by agreement, to benefit mutually.  As seen by many K-pop concerts held by various organizers in the country and has been strongly successful due to the large fan bases present for each artistes, and the growth of Korean-centric themed shows, events, and festivals are now held.

This is seen by the change of popularity; the gradual growth from old Chinese entertainment, to Japan’s golden years, and now through Hallyu, South Korea’s culture is introduced to the citizens of Indonesia. Through the power of internet, fans have been actively sharing and promoting Hallyu without the help of any Korean centres. This fact is also shared as the Hallyu’s way to success in the past few years.

A speaker, Ibnu Wahyudi of University of Indonesia shared how he had lived in South Korea over a decade, and was a part of the first K-pop wave within the domestic market: “Sechkies, H.O.T., Fin.K.L., I know them, but in the end, I only know Lee Hyori out of all the members.” Hallyu has a phenomenal impact but may be short-lived.
To this, he suggested made to strengthen ties and to make one’s cultural penetration deeper is by education. “Introducing the language can be the first step, and later develop into pure interest into the rest of the culture.”
Veeramella Anjaiah of The Jakarta Post second the suggestion by sharing his experience when visiting Korea: “there was a lot of interest among Koreans… to know more about pluralistic Indonesia and its divergent culture.”
With the rise of Korean-Indonesian companies, new festivals, and the 40th year of Korea – Indonesia diplomatic relations, I was told that cultural exchange from March to December in 2013 of this both countries will be celebrated through popular and traditional culture, food, industrial and technology, and other things under development.
In this space, what is your suggestions in a mutual relationship for both countries?
Stay tuned on Korea.com for the exciting future this both country holds.

• Photo Courtesy  Korean Cultural Center Indonesia