English:
The Korean wave or Korea fever refers to the significantly increased popularity of South Korean culture around the world since the 21st century, especially among the Net Generation. It is also referred to as Hallyu (Hangul: 한류; Hanja: 韓流; RR: Hallyu), from the Korean pronunciation. The term was coined in China in mid-1999 by Beijing journalists surprised by the fast growing popularity of South Koreans and South Korean goods in China.
South Korea is among the world's top ten cultural exporters and the Korean wave began with the export of Korean TV dramas such as Autumn Fairy Tale, Winter Sonata, Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace), and Princess Hours across East and Southeast Asia; the growing success of Korean dramas was soon matched by Korean movies, popular music, food and language.
While popular throughout Asia, the Korean wave's influence is most visible in China, Japan and Southeast Asia, spreading to India, the Middle East, Central Asia, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Russia. The Korean wave is rapidly expanding beyond Asia through the internet and has a substantial presence in North, Central and South America, particularly in Chile, Mexico and Argentina, and is increasingly becoming popular in the United States. It is also gaining momentum in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, led by Hungary and Norway. It is gathering positive interest in North Africa, attracting a sizable niche audience in Egypt. Currently, the Korean wave is starting to hit the shores of the United Kingdom and Australia.