This volume offers an in-depth examination of Hallyu (the Korean Wave), foregrounding its significance as a critical site for cultural, theoretical, and decolonial inquiry. With the emergence of globally recognized phenomena such as BTS and Squid Game, Hallyu has transitioned from a fan-based subculture in Asia to a global cultural phenomenon. This transformation necessitates a reevaluation of the phenomenon and its significance.

The volume is divided into three main parts—historicizing, theorizing, and decolonizing—each offering distinct yet interconnected approaches to interpreting Hallyu. By bringing together historical analysis, theoretical innovation, and decolonial critique, this volume demonstrates that Hallyu is a dynamic framework for understanding the shifting dynamics of global culture in the twenty-first century.

Seok-Kyeong HONG is a Professor of Communication and the Director of the Center for Hallyu Studies at Seoul National University Asia Center. Hong’s research interests include digital cultural forms and practices, visual culture and visual methods, Korean popular culture, and the Korean Wave (Hallyu) in its regional and global dynamics.

Sojeong PARK is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Culture Contents at Hanyang University ERICA. As a Cultural Studies scholar, her research spans various dimensions of popular and digital culture, with particular attention to how identity and intimacy are constructed and mediated through media.