Unpacking the Korean Wave through Data and Cultural Strategy

From K-pop and K-dramas to cinema, fashion, and digital fandoms, the Korean Wave (Hallyu) has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon that continues to reshape the international creative landscape. But what makes the Korean Wave so resonant, so influential, and so enduring? What can its journey tell us about contemporary global culture, and how can we better understand its implications for policy, diplomacy, and cultural management?

To explore these questions, the next ENCATC Members Talk on 17 April will feature Dr. Natalia Grincheva, researcher at LASALLE College of the Arts (University of the Arts Singapore). Her work offers not only a cultural analysis but also a compelling methodological contribution to our field. Dr. Grincheva will introduce the Hallyu Tracker app, a data-driven visualization tool designed to map the transnational flows of Korean cultural exports. The project offers new ways of seeing and studying global influence in the cultural sector.

This session is especially relevant for those working at the intersection of culture, data, and internationalisation. It will provide theoretical and methodological insights into how cultural phenomena are structured, disseminated, and measured — questions central to the evolution of research and practice in our field.