Korean Cool >> Global >> More Korean Unicorns

This is from Euny Hong's new book --  "The Birth of Korean Cool:  How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture."

The Economist wrote an insightful review of her book, called "South Korea's soft power:  Soap, sparkle and pop":

"FROM 'Gangnam Style' and competitive electronic sports to kimchi-flavoured pot noodles, South Korea’s cultural exports are eagerly consumed around the world. Filipinos are hooked on its dramas. The French love its pop music and its films. Last year South Korea raked in $5 billion from its pop-culture exports. It has set its sights on doubling that by 2017....

Much has changed since 1985... [when the] country had no mods, rockers or hippies.  Dramas were 'provincial and tedious.'...  From this unpromising position South Korea managed to charge past Japan to become Asia's foremost trendsetter, and Ms Hong interviews superstars, chefs and cultural critics to discover why.  She finds that cool can be manufactured, up to a point.  South Korea's is a side-effect of the culture-exporting machine that was created at the end of the 20th century and has been nurtured by the government ever since...."


The success of Korean Cool played a key part in the success of Com2uS global business.  It provided the confidence and experience to pursue a global strategy -- despite the initial failures.

Success will lead to even more success.  

Golf is a good example.  Ms. Pak Se Ri's victory in the 1998 US Women's Golf Open triggered a huge Korean golf boom.  This resulted in 9 Korean female golfers winning 13 major LPGA championships.