Professor Kim Young-geun examined the historical trajectory of the Korean Wave in Japan, including K-culture, and analyzed its role and influence from a risk management perspective. He specifically assessed the Korean Wave as a form of soft power within public diplomacy, where civil society interactions unfold in a complex manner, distinct from traditional diplomacy. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, Korea and Japan have maintained a relationship marked by underlying conflicts. However, following the 1998 Korea-Japan Joint Partnership Declaration by Kim Dae-Jung and Obuchi, cultural exchanges, such as the opening of Japanese popular culture, have become increasingly active. Notably, when historical conflicts between the two nations intensified, global phenomena like BTS and the emergence of the fourth Korean Wave coincided, influencing each other. This suggests that cultural exchange can contribute to managing and resolving tensions, fostering reconciliation, and establishing sustainable Korea-Japan relations. Furthermore, beyond cultural interactions, cooperation in areas such as disaster response, hydrogen energy, and environmental sustainability is also essential. He emphasized that the Korean Wave’s role and influence are closely intertwined with mechanisms for Korea-Japan reconciliation.

Dr. Kwon Yeon-I led a discussion on the role and influence of popular culture in public diplomacy. She argued that it is necessary to examine whether the Korean Wave has exerted any significant soft power in Korea-Japan relations. Existing debates about popular culture as soft power often frame it as either an independent or dependent variable. From a functionalist perspective, if the Korean Wave serves as an attractive soft power and is embraced by the other country, it could generate spillover effects in political and economic domains. However, during periods of extreme confrontation between Korea and Japan, its influence was significantly constrained. She maintained that the soft power of popular culture in Korea-Japan relations is inevitably limited due to political sensitivities, competing national interests, and structural constraints within the policy-making process.

She stated that although soft power is not easily measurable, it plays a crucial role in strengthening emotional ties between the peoples of both countries and creating economic opportunities in bilateral relations and exchanges. Moreover, she emphasized that the voluntary engagement of civil society, the political will and decisive actions of leaders, can significantly impact the sustainability of Korea-Japan relations.

The lecture was conducted online via Zoom, with approximately 60 participants in attendance. During the Q&A session that followed, the speaker addressed a variety of questions from online participants, leading to a lively discussion with active audience engagement. Topics included the influence of BTS and K-pop artists on Korean society, cultural interactions between Korea and Japan—particularly the impact of Japanese popular culture on Korea—and the limitations of popular culture as soft power in public diplomacy. Additionally, one participant suggested history education as a means to address Korea-Japan conflicts that cannot be resolved through popular culture alone. Another participant raised questions about the possibilities and limitations of popular culture in Korea-Japan relations from a risk management perspective. The session featured enthusiastic participation, with insightful questions and diverse perspectives being shared.

– Written by Dr. Kwon Yeon-I