The Expansion Of The Hallyu Wave In Bollywood 2025
Hello everyone! It’s me, again! I have been meaning to write about this for so long, but something or the other has been crawling in my mind.
I have met many Korean fans, as well as Bollywood fans, who are completely unaware of the interconnection between these two cultures.
The immense influence that the Korean wave, or the Hallyu wave has on the world, is truly commendable, and Bollywood is no exception. Why wait? Let’s find out more about this together!
What Is the Hallyu Wave?
The Hallyu wave, also known as the Korean wave, refers to the dramatic surge in South Korean influence worldwide.
The term “Hallyu” is a Chinese word that refers to the expansion of Korean influence that spread across the world over the last decade.
The origin of this Hallyu wave can be traced back to several factors, with the primary one being the COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020.
Although certain K-pop bands were still famous before the lockdown, this period was definitely one of the biggest contributors to their fame.
I watched over 15 K-dramas during the lockdown period and also expanded my knowledge of various other K-pop bands, including EXO, TWICE, and BIGBANG, among others.
I was first introduced to K-pop through BTS’s banger, “dynamite.” “Gangnam Style” by PSY marked a pivotal moment in the rise of Korean popular culture and its role as a key element of South Korea’s soft power. The song’s music video made history as the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views.
Additionally, a 2020 Spotify survey highlighted BTS as the most-streamed K-pop group, showcasing their significant impact on the global music scene.
This was further followed closely by other popular groups, including Blackpink, Twice, Stray Kids, and Red Velvet.
This trend underscores the increasing influence of K-pop in shaping cultural dynamics worldwide,
Artists such as Twice, Stray Kids, and Red Velvet highlight the growing impact of K-pop on shaping global cultural dynamics.
What Is The Impact Of Hallyu In India?
The impact of the Hallyu wave in India is greater than we think. From actors to young stars, college students, and corporate professionals, the influence of the Korean Wave is evident.
To evaluate this more effectively, we need to examine various sectors where the Hallyu influence is prominent.
Fashion
The first and foremost sector that came to my mind is the fashion sector. The influence of the Hallyu wave was mainly seen in this area.
Some people know about Train to Busan, and then some people dont. However, a large number of people from both categories are well-versed in Korean fashion trends.
Some common and famous Korean fashion trends are-
- Oversized Clothing
- Puffed sleeves
- Cargo Pants
- Floral Dresses
These are the few fashion trends that scream the influence of the Hallyu wave, among others. They began growing before the COVID-19 pandemic, and something tells me that these trends are here to stay.
Certain brands are the go-to solutions when we shop for Korean fashion.
| Brand Name | Availability | Product Features | Demographics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koodling | Internstional Website | Breathable fabric, Affordable, Chic designs | Millenials/Genz |
| Chuu | Online | Trendy, Bold prints Feminine designs | GenZ |
| The Korhean Store | Indian Platforms | Wide range of sizes | Genz |
Cuisine
Food, Food, Food! One of the best outcomes of the Hallyu Wave is the introduction of kimchi and bulgogi into my life.
Korean cuisine has become one of the most renowned and delectable cuisines worldwide, particularly in Asia.
This upsurge is more prominent in countries like India because the ingredients used and the dishes are almost similar.
Some prominent Korean dishes are-
- Kimchi
- Dasik
- Bulgogi
- Mandu
In 2023, South Korea’s food exports have witnessed a surge in demand for Korean ramen, rice cakes, Korean beverages, and kimchi. The record stands at $8.27 billion.
The most notable Korean instant noodles or ramen brand, Shin Ramyeon, has contributed significantly to this case, with exports worth $1.36 billion in 2024 alone.
Shin Ramyeon has achieved a total of $883 million in sales for the year 2023; approximately 60% of this came from international markets. This brand plans to reach $1.5 billion in U.S sales by 2030.
The exports of processed foods, including frozen kimbap, instant rice, and tteokbokki, saw a 41.9% year-over-year increase, reaching $250 million in 2024.
In the United Kingdom, there has been a 71% increase in the sales of Gochujang and a 974% surge in searches for Korean chicken recipes.
In India, Korean instant noodles, such as Samyang noodles or Shin Ramyeon, experienced significant volume growth in 2020, largely due to the influence of K-pop and K-dramas.
Entertainment
The entertainment Industry in India has seen a whirlwind of changes. Joseph Nye once discussed the concept of soft power, where a country can influence and shape perceptions globally through its values, culture, and ideas, rather than relying solely on its military forces.
Entertainment is the foundation of Soft Power. Entertainment plays a vital role in shaping a nation’s soft power, allowing it to showcase its stories, cultural traditions, and lifestyle on a global stage.
In our interconnected world, films, music, and television programs serve not only as cultural expressions but also as instruments of diplomacy and economic development.
The ascent of South Korea as a cultural powerhouse highlights the effectiveness of utilizing soft power through entertainment.
The South Korean government has strategically prioritized the creative economy, investing over $1 billion in cultural exports over the past decade.
This investment has yielded remarkable results. The international success of K-dramas, such as Squid Game, alongside award-winning films like Parasite, has propelled South Korea into the global spotlight.
Parasite alone earned more than $263 million worldwide, whereas Squid Game became Netflix’s most-watched series, creating an estimated $900 million in value for the platform.
Some famous K-Dramas and Movies include-
- Crash Landing On You
- Past Lives
- Oldboy
- It’s Okay Not To Be Okay
The Hallyu Wave in Bollywood 2025
My sole purpose for writing this segment is to ensure that you all experience the same shock I did when I made this discovery.
Many movies, as well as iconic scenes in Bollywood, have been remakes of Korean films and dramas, a fact that remains largely unknown to the general public.
For a long time, Korean films were only recognised by people who were either tremendously into Korean culture or were avid movie lovers.
Most of the mentioned Bollywood movies were cherished by the audience, without the mere information that these were Korean remakes. HA!
| Korean Drama/Film | Release Date | Bollywood Adaptation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montage | 2013 | Te3n (Film) | 2016 |
| Lover’s Concerto | 2002 | Barfi | 2012 |
| Ode to My Father | 2014 | Bharat | 2019 |
| I Saw the Devil | 2010 | Ek Villain | 2014 |
| Oldboy | 2003 | Zinda | 2006 |
| Seven Days | 2007 | Jazbaa | 2015 |
| The Chaser | 2008 | Murder 2 | 2011 |
| A Bittersweet Life | 2005 | Awarapan | 2007 |
Is Korean Culture Taking Over Indian Culture?
The fancy and jovial set of information often overshadows the negative impact of the Korean wave.
Something to consider is that whenever two cultures collide, a new culture isn’t formed; rather, the people get caught in the middle.
Every single culture has its set of people who, to celebrate another person, forget their roots and tend to lose themselves in the process.
The first and foremost negative impact of the Korean wave is that their obsession with fairness has rubbed off on us, the brown-skinned peeps, and it’s the leading cause of low self-esteem amongst Gen Zs.
As the trend of the ‘glass skin’ reaches the sky, the downfall of women’s self-esteem and FOMO is skyrocketing.
Is There A Way To Stay Out Of It?
In order not to become a victim of this cultural conflict, you must always take an audience’s approach while witnessing what other cultures have to offer.
It is only intelligent to remember that while other cultures might satisfy our hunger for adventure and interest, as humans, leaving home might affect our psyche beyond repair.
In this context, leaving home means uprooting oneself from one’s own culture. It might not be intentional, but let’s not underestimate the length of soft power.
This was all that I had to say regarding the cultural shift and the rapid influence of the Hallyu wave in Bollywood. What do you think? Tell me in the comments below!
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