South Korea's Soft Power Through K-pop Group SEVENTEEN

Diplomacy is one of the most important things that a country should have. Diplomacy has two distinct features: hard power and soft power. Hard power involves coercive tactics, using military force or economic incentives and sanctions to compel compliance from other nations (CFR Education, 2023). 

Soft power on the other hand is the ability to influence other nations through persuasion and attraction rather than through force. Soft power diplomacy is seen as a complement to traditional diplomacy, which focuses on government negotiations and agreements (DiploFoundation, 2021). Soft power usually originates outside government in places like schools, religious institutions, and charitable groups.

South Korea has grasped delicate control through the spread of its culture, known all inclusive as the Korean Wave (Hallyu), which incorporates K-pop, Korean shows, nourishment, fashion, and more (Kim Y., 2019). One of the foremost effective present day illustrations of delicate control is South Korea’s social strategy through K-pop.

A 2024 report by the Korea Establishment uncovered that there were over 225 million fans of Hallyu over more than 100 nations (Korea Establishment, 2024). These fans do not, as it were, appreciate the excitement but moreover lock in in learning Korean, acquiring Korean items, and indeed traveling to Korea to developing social ties.

Among numerous well-known K-pop bunches, Seventeen stands out as an effective social minister. Known for their ability, devotion, and self-producing abilities, Seventeen has come to worldwide victory, presented Korean culture to unused groups of onlookers, reinforced Korea’s picture overseas, and indeed boosted the national economy.

Among numerous K-pop acts, Seventeen stands out for their inventiveness and worldwide impact. The 13-member bunch beneath PLEDIS Amusement is broadly recognized as a self-producing symbol gather, meaning they are straightforwardly included in songwriting, choreographing, and creating their performances. This hands-on approach has earned them profound regard from both fans and industry specialists.

Their achievements are amazing. In 2023, their collection FML sold over 6.2 million duplicates, becoming the best-selling K-pop collection of all time at the time. Within the same year, they were welcomed to the 13th UNESCO Youth Gathering in Paris, where they talked and performed in bolster of youth strengthening and social exchange. They’ve charted on the Bulletin 200, visited universally, and gotten worldwide acknowledgment for their artistry.

Worldwide Affect and Financial Contribution

Seventeen encapsulates values that reflect emphatically on South Korea with their collaboration, regard, teach, and a solid work, making them perfect agents of Korean culture on the world stage. Seventeen’s impact amplifies remote past music. Their worldwide ubiquity brings genuine financial benefits. World visits in cities like Tokyo, Jakarta, Paris, and New York draw thousands of fans, boosting travel, neighborliness, and nearby investing.

A 2023 report by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) assessed that K-pop contributes over $10 billion USD yearly to the Korean economy10. As a top-tier act, Seventeen plays a key part in this figure. Their brand associations with major companies such as Samsung (for System phones), Lazada (a driving e-commerce stage in Southeast Asia), and The Saem (a Korean skincare brand) and numerous more as an person individual, not as it were boost their perceivability but too offer assistance advance Korean items worldwide11.

Cultural Representation

Past charts and deals, Seventeen reflects the soul of Korean culture. Their behind-the-scenes recordings, interviews, and assortment substance appear earnestness, lowliness, and common back. These characteristics motivate fans around the globe to grasp comparative values in their possess lives.

During the UNESCO Youth Forum, Seventeen emphasized the significance of instruction and youth empowerment, aligning with Korea’s broader delicate discretion goals. Their message appears that K-pop is more than excitement; it’s a stage for association, compassion, and cultural understanding.

Conclusion

Soft power has gotten to be a capable tool in worldwide strategy, and South Korea has aced using its culture to win hearts around the world. Rather than depending on force or weight, the nation builds impact through reverence.

Seventeen serves as a sparkling example of this procedure in action. Through music, worldwide outreach, and cultural values, they offer assistance to shape a positive picture of South Korea and strengthen its position on the worldwide stage. Their ability to inspire, connect, and represent Korean culture makes them more than just performers; they are cultural ambassadors making important changes through the all inclusive craftsmanship.

Reference:

• Council on Foreign Relations. (n.d.). What is soft power? https://education.cfr.org/learn/reading/what-soft-power
• Diplomacy.edu. (n.d.). Soft power diplomacy. https://www.diplomacy.edu/topics/soft-power-diplomacy/
• Forbes. (2023). How Seventeen became one of K-pop’s most influential self-producing idols. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarherman/
• Kim, Y. (2021). South Korean popular culture and North Korea: Soft power, communication and diplomacy. Routledge.
• Korea Foundation. (2024). Global Hallyu fans surpass 225 million. https://www.kf.or.kr/kfNewsletter/mgzinSubViewPage.do?mgzinSn=14461&mgzinSubSn=27283&langTy=ENG
• NME. (2023). Seventeen’s ‘FML’ becomes best-selling K-pop album of all time. https://www.nme.com/news/music/seventeen-fml-best-selling-kpop-album-of-all-time-3451420
• UNESCO. (2023). K-pop group SEVENTEEN addresses UNESCO Youth Forum. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/k-pop-group-seventeen-addresses-unesco-youth-forum