Hallyu or the ‘Korean Wave’ refers to the international fascination and growing global popularity of South Korean entertainment, music and films which began in the 1990s. Hallyu has been a blessing for Korea due to the enormous economic boost that it has provided to businesses. Hallyu had also symbolised a breakthrough for the Korean film industry which has long been contending with Hollywood films which dominated the market.
Despite its growing global popularity, Korean films have remained deeply embedded in the Korean experience and has therefore been able to remain distinctive to international audiences. Korean cinema has been revered for daring to address topics which western films usually stray from, often exploring the dark side of human experiences, mixing dark humour with elements of controversy in order to challenge its audience. It is therefore unsurprising that Korean directors such as Bong Joon-ho has attracted both public and filmmakers’ attention, with Quentin Tarantino comparing him to ‘Steven Spielberg in his prime’.
Following the growing Hallyu phenomenon, support from international streaming services such as Netflix has made Korean dramas and films more accessible than ever! Even with widespread lockdowns across the globe and the huge amount of content available online, no single genre has had better growth than Korean dramas and films which was met with  incredible support and an explosion of demand for Korean entertainment in the West.
The astonishing production value of Korean films provides a comforting level of expectation from viewers i.e knowing that a film is well made increases it’s appeal. The amount of resources, effort and detail put in has made Korean cinema a spectacle to enjoy. In particular, ‘Train to Busan’ was a cinematic experience that showcased the unique production quality of Korean films, from casting to editing, to costume and make-up.
Korean films have also managed fill a gap where Western films were lacking and it should be worth noting that the vast majority of Korean dramas and films lack the level of nudity and crude language and behaviour that many Western viewers have become accustomed to, therefore, providing the audience with a refreshing experience from the majority of Hollywood films.
Korean Cinema 