Even before Squid Game became the most watched Netflix series, or Parasite became the first foreign film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, or BTS packed US stadiums, the billion-plus dollar wave of Korean pop culture, or hallyu, was already sweeping markets around the world. The stars and products of Korea's creative economy are making their mark and having a big impact on businesses and entertainment from East to West. Whether through musical artists, media and television executives, or academia, there are lessons to be learned from the world's embrace of Korean culture. Why is hallyu so successful among non-Korean-speaking audiences? What role has the American entertainment industry and its cultural power played in expanding Korean content around the world? Beyond entertainment, how can hallyu be a force that empowers greater Asian awareness, representation, normalization, and positive social change to upend racism, bigotry, and social inequality?

Moderator

Curtis S. Chin
Milken Institute Asia Fellow; former US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank

Speakers

Hae Joo Kim
Assistant Chair, Professional Music, Berklee College of Music

Eric Nam
Co-Founder and Creative Director, Mindset

Eddie Nam
CEO and Founder, EN Management

James Shin
Executive Vice President, Film and Television, SB Projects