Home ›› 12 Apr 2023 ›› Opinion
“Oppa Gangnam Style!” Sound familiar? There are only a few people among us who didn't jam to this song. But how many of us knew back then where it actually came from? To put things into perspective, Gangnam Style was a Korean pop song. In August 2012, this song and its music video inarguably became extremely successful and had an unforgettable impact on popular culture all around the world. So how did we come to know of it? The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, has played a significant role in this aspect. Hallyu Move namely is a website that provides news and updates on the Korean entertainment industry with a focus on Korean music, drama, and variety shows. It aims to connect fans from all around the world and provide them with a platform to share their love for Korean pop culture. That is one of the reasons K-culture is familiar to almost everyone nowadays. But is that all?
The rise of K-culture or the popular culture of South Korea has had a noticeable impact on Bangladesh. K-Pop music has become increasingly popular among Bangladeshi youth. The catchy tunes, synchronized dance moves and visually stunning music videos have captivated the hearts of many Bangladeshis, leading to a surge of interest in Korean music. But the question remains “Why do people like K-pop so much?” Compared to other music sectors, K-pop offers a distinctive style with songs that tell a tale along with a blend of infectious tunes and captivating choreography. To keep the audience enthralled, their promotional ventures also include a variety of activities beyond the spheres of music. The K-pop group BTS have notably played a key role in propagating this wave of connecting fans all over the world including Bangladesh through their innumerable engaging projects.
Interestingly, Korean pop music has already been seen to inspire several projects in Bangladesh, particularly in the entertainment industry. K-pop dance workshops have become increasingly popular, with many dance schools and studios offering classes that teach the latest K-pop dance trends. These workshops not only provide a fun and engaging way to exercise and learn new skills but also promote Korean culture and music. K-pop dance cover competitions have become a popular event, which not only provide a platform for aspiring dancers to showcase their dance skills and talent but also serve as a way to promote K-pop music and culture in the country. Several K-pop fan clubs have also emerged in and out of social media, with fans of different K-pop groups coming together to share their love for their favorite artists. These fan clubs organize various events and activities such as fan meetings, concerts, and charity events to support their favorite K-pop groups and promote their music. On top of that, Bangladeshi musicians and filmmakers have been seen to draw inspiration from K-pop music videos as well which are knowingly popular for their elaborate choreography and colorful visuals. The incorporation of kpop dance and fashion elements in certain Bangladeshi music videos has furthermore contributed to creating a unique blend of Bangladeshi and Korean culture. These K-pop inspired projects in Bangladesh demonstrate the growing popularity and influence of Korean pop culture in the country, particularly among the youth.
In addition, K-culture has had a significant impact on the Bangladeshi marketplace. Consumers have been demanding Korean products ranging from cosmetics to clothing as well as food. To fulfill some of these demands, there has been an emergence of websites such as “The Korean Mall - Bangladesh” and many more. Korean fashion, known for its unique styles and bold designs has been reportedly influencing the fashion trends in Bangladesh with many youngsters now being seen wearing Korean-inspired clothing. Korean beauty, particularly skin care products have also gained immense popularity in Bangladesh, which can be attributed to their high-quality ingredients, innovative formulations as well as packaging and reputedly effective results. Korean beauty products such as face masks, serums, cleansers, BB creams etc. have gained a significant following in Bangladesh, particularly among young women which has resulted in many of them incorporating these products into their daily skincare routine and the local marketplace has been seen rushing to aid these increasing demands. Many beauty salons and spas in Bangladesh have also started using Korean skincare products in their treatments to offer their customers a premium experience. Moreover, Korean cuisine has also made its way to Bangladesh as a result of which, several Korean restaurants have already opened up in major cities, along with a booming interest towards Korean dishes in pan Asian themed restaurants. Furthermore, there has been a significant rise in public demand for Korean food commodities such as kimchi, ramyeon etc. in the marketplace. This rising popularity as well as availability of Korean food has introduced many Bangladeshis to a new and unique culinary experience.
Overall, K-culture has had a significant impact on Bangladesh, influencing the youth in terms of music, fashion, beauty, and food. The trend shows no signs of slowing down and is likely to continue to shape the tastes and preferences of Bangladeshis in years to come. One potential area for growth in the future is the entertainment industry. As more Bangladeshis are becoming interested in K-culture, several Korean dramas have already been seen to be dubbed in Bangla, such as Goblin, What’s Wrong with Secretory Kim, Weightlifting Fairy etc. This could also lead to the creation of local Bangladeshi adaptations of popular Korean dramas or movies including but not limited to projects such as “Squid Game”, “Parasite” etc. that have knowingly reached immense hype during the lockdown. Moreover, the popularity of K-culture in Bangladesh could lead to more cultural exchange programs between Bangladesh and South Korea. This could include student exchange programs, cultural festivals, and other events that promote cultural understanding and appreciation between the two countries.
In my perspective, the future of K-culture in Bangladesh looks promisingly bright. And, it will be exciting to see how this trend continues to evolve and shape the cultural landscape of Bangladesh in the coming years.
The writer is a freelance contributor. She can be contacted at aninditaauthai@gmail.com
