STUDYING THE ELEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF SOUTH KOREA'S HALLYU WAVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60101/rmuttgber.2026.300419Keywords:
Hallyu wave, South Korean culture, K-pop, Korean songs, Economic growthAbstract
This research is a documentary study aiming to examine the elements and the interrelationships of factors influencing the success of the Hallyu wave's spread to other countries, from the perspective of political economy and international political economy. The research findings revealed that the success of the Hallyu wave comprised seven components, ranked from most to least impactful, as follows: 1) Culture, 2) Stability, 3) Communication, 4) Public and Private Investment, 5) Finance and Banking, 6) Beliefs, and 7) Knowledge and Technology. This research will be used to provide concrete recommendations for promoting Thailand's soft power internationally.
References
Ausavarangsitsang, P. (2021). The Emergence of South Korean Pop Culture and Cultural Products as Political Weapon. Journal of Integrated Sciences, 18(1), 154-180.
Bae, E., Chang, M., Park, E.-S., & Kim, D. (2017). The Effect of Hallyu on Tourism in Korea. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 3, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40852-017-0075-y
Bandasak, A. (2025). In-Depth Analysis of South Korea's Soft Power Success: A Model for Economic Promotion and Development. Thai Journalists Association. Retrieved from https://tja.or.th/view/tjacyberreporter/hi-ligth-news/1450071
Bank of Thailand. (2017). Effects of Public Investment on Private Investment. Monetary Policy Report. Retrieved from http://www.bot.or.th
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of management, 17(1), 99-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Chai, K. Y., & Lee, D. (2024). A critical analysis of Korean culture represented in the Korean language textbooks developed in Thailand. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2416805
Chantuk, T., Spiller, P., Limarunothai, W., Thongma, T., Netchu, K., & Sarmart, T. (2025).
The Potential and Challenges of Thai Cultural Capital in Driving the Creative Industry. Journal of Politics, Administration and Law, 17(1), 94-119.
Curiel, J., & Perkin, R. K. (2022). Using Systems Theory to Analyze Management Styles, Market, and Product Competition Between Tesla and Legacy Carmakers. International Journal of Innovative Business Strategies, 8(1), 519-527. https://doi.org/10.20533/ijibs.2046.3626.2022.0066
Dal Yong Jin. (2023). AI in cultural production in the Korean cultural industries. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 13(March 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100113
Furong Jin, Soon-Hong Kim, Yoon-Kyung Choi, and Byong-Kook Yoo. (2024). A Study on the Impact of Hallyu (Korean Wave) on Korea’s Consumer Goods Exports to China: Panel Analysis Using Big Data and Provincial-Level Data. Sustainability, 16(10), 4083. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104083
Giestarks. (2023). Unveiling the Legend of South Korea's Success: A Nation of Creative Media. Rainmaker (July 24, 2023). Retrieved from https://www.rainmaker.in.th/save-creator-zone-case-study-of-korean-creators/
Intasi, W. (2008). South Korea’s Experiences of Development. Journal of East Asian Studies, 13(1), 57-82.
Jung, Hwan-Seung. (2015). A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON LINGUISTIC CULTURE OF KOREAN AND THAI. Srinakharinwirot Research and Development Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(11), 297–309.
Khosshasarn, A. (2025). Fundamentals of Research Synthesis Process. Savant Journal of Social Sciences, 1(4), 81-89.
Kraipiyaset, P., Chomkhamsing, N., Pongsri, P., & Tangsathitkul, W. (2025). The Production and Satisfaction Study of a Music Video for The Waffle Commercial Song. Thai Media Fund Journal, 4(4), 39-64.
Kruanuan, C., & Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya, P. (2021). Political economy of development : a case study the development of the eastern special development zone. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University. Retrieved from https://buuir.buu.or.th/xmlui/handle/1234567890/4445
Lairson, T. D., & Skidmore, D. (2003). International Political Economy: The Struggle for Power and Wealth (3rd ed.). Belmont: Thomson-Wads Worth.
Lim-U-Sanno, K. (2023). Perceptions of MBA Students of Business Administration of Special Part of Thailand on Communication Soft Power of South Korea in 2023. Thai Media Fund Journal, 2(2), 31-53.
Mogalakwe, M. (2006). The Use of Document Research Methods in Social Research. African Sociological Review, 10(1), 221-230.
Nye, J. S. (1990). Soft Power. Foreign Policy, No. 80, 153-171. https://doi.org/10.2307/1148580
Paiboon, S., & Yodnane, P. (2023). Characteristics Of Korean Artist and Content from South Korean Survival Reality Program. Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Communication Journal, 6(1), 67-77.
Paksirichayanonand, T., & Pattayanon, P. (2025). Factors of Success in Korea Drama Series: An Analysis of Narrative Elements and Social Reflection. Interdisciplinary Academic and Research Journal, 5(3), 403–416.
Petprasert, N., Charoenloet, V., & Nithiphak, O. (2022). What Is Political Economy?. Journal of Social Science and Buddhistic Anthropology, 7(6).
Phalin, J. (2012). South Korea: A Leader in Modern Industry and Culture. Diprom Journal, 54, 25- 26.
Pushsapavardhana, N., & Wongsomboon, N. (2020). The Success of Korean Wave Distribution: The Roles of Government and Entertainment Sectors. Suratthani Rajabhat Journal, 7(2), 9-10.
Rattana, N., Kositkanin, T., & Boonchouy, N. (2022). Factors Affecting Profitability of Companies Listed in Stock Exchange of Thailand Service Industry Hotel Business. Journal of Multidisciplinary in Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(2), 444-457.
Riela Provi Drianda, Meyriana Kesuma, & Nadia Ayu Rahma Lestari. (2023). Hallyu and FDI: The growth of South Korea’s investment in Indonesia’s cultural content industry. International Development Planning Review, 46(1), 89-106. https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.2023.18
Riela Rakson, K. (2020). The Study of International Political Economy under the Concept of Constructivism. Journal of Business Administration and Social Sciences Ramkhamhaeng University, 3(1), 27-36.
Rojjanawongsakul, K. (2020). A Case Study of The Success of The South Korean Entertainment Industry. Journal of Public Administration and Politics, 11(2), 124-143.
Singh, Sanjeet, Deep Sharma, Gagan, Radulescu, Magdalena, Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel, Bansal, Pooja. (2024). Do natural resources impact economic growth: An investigation of P5 + 1 countries under sustainable management. Geoscience Frontiers, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101595
Smith, A. (1776). An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. W. Strahan and T. Cadell.
Srisaengngam, P. (2018). Lessons from the Success of the Korean Cultural Wave. Chulalongkorn University (March, 26). Retrieved from https://www.chula.ac.th/cuinside/6930/
Srisooksai, D. (2022). Media Literacy: Promoting Wisdom Vaccine for Society. Thai Media Fund Journal, 1(1), 1-21.
Strategic Studies Center. (2014). Cultural Advancement Toward the “Asian Century”. SSC Weekly Focus, 23/57, 1-2. Retrieved from https://science.mahidol.ac.th/IC/SSC/1985.PDF
Tangpattanakit, J., Senariddhikrai, P., & Khotchasen., T. (2024). Influences of Brand Credibility and Brand Prestige that affects the Purchase Intention of a High involvement product: A case study of TOYOTA Car brand. Journal of Management Sciences Kasetsart University, 3(1), 37–56.
Tongkaew, T., & Pasunon, P. (2018). The Documentary Research to Synthesize Components and Analyze the Relationships of Managing Capabilities of Occupational for People with Disabilities: The context of Situation, Paradigms and Capability Approach. Veridian E-Journal, Silpakorn University, 11(3), 2162-2192.
Traiphoomtamnan, S. (2016). Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) The Study of Entrepreneurial Opportunities Seeking in Entrepreneurial Process: The Evidence from GEM Data. NIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 19(2016), 45-64.
Yimorn, C., & Fangpong. C. (2009). The Development of Innovation from Dae Jang Geum in Thai Context. Valaya Alongkorn Review (Humanities and Social Science), 9(2), 152-160.
Zarifhonarvar, A. (2023). Economics of ChatGPT: A Labor Market View on the Occupational Impact of Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics, 3(2), 100-116.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dhanakron Srisooksai, Narong Petprasert
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The articles published in this journal are the intellectual property of their respective authors.
The views and opinions expressed in each article are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the positions of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi or any of its faculty members. All components and content of each article are the sole responsibility of the respective authors. In the event of any errors, the authors shall bear full responsibility for their own work.
