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2022.06.04 21:39

33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave, Hallyu #2 The Culture of Ppalli Ppalli

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33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave, Hallyu

#2 The Culture of Ppalli Ppalli

8282 Republic

*Note to Readers

The columns published in the Zoom section of NYCultureBeat contain selected excerpts—typically the opening paragraphs—from each chapter of the book 33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game (2025). These previews are meant to introduce the book’s themes and tone.

The complete book—featuring 33 updated chapters and new cultural insights—is available in both paperback and hardcover editions:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HYLVCL

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HZ34Y3

000이상한나라.jpg

Corona Busters? Corona Avengers?

*Korea, Wonderland? A very strange country, Overseas Culture Promotion Agency <YouTube>

#COVID19, the rise of "K-Quarantine"

A comparison of the coronavirus testing rate per million people around the world published in the New York Times on March 17, 2020. https://covidtracking.com

When Bong Joon-ho & Company swept the 92nd Academy Awards in four categories: Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film for “Parasite” on February 9, 2020, the pride of Koreans around the world was soaring. Around that time, however, bad news broke out from Korea, that the number of COVID 19 confirmed cases centered on the Shincheonji Church in Daegu, skyrocketed, and the number of infections rose to second place worldwide after China. The rising self-esteem of Koreans seemed to fall to the ground, but that was soon reversed.

By March 2020, foreign media all praised Korea’s response to COVID-19. As plastic surgeon Joo-hyeok Lee posted on Facebook, it proved that “the number of patients is not increasing, but finding patients quickly.” South Korea tested quickly, disclosed the route of confirmed patients quickly and transparently, and activated a rapid disaster text message system. By controlling the spread of COVID-19 with innovative drive-through and walking-through clinics, 24-hour testing institutions, and real-time gene amplification tests at low costs, Korea became a model country in quarantine in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Who could predict that the glory of “Parasite” would lead to the kudos of COVID Prevention? While the United States and the developed countries in Europe were looking on, Korea was containing and putting out the fire at the speed of light. Koreans know how to turn a crisis into an opportunity, there is a spirit behind them. We are the people in a hurry. BBC reported that Koreans have an “unstoppable state of haste.” “Ppalli ppalli” is most Koreans’ daily motto.