The Hallyu wave’s ever-growing influence in Japan

The term ‘Hallyu’ is now a part of everyday Korean vernacular, but its international influence is exceeding what anyone had ever expected. Glimpses of the Hallyu wave can now be seen regularly on the streets of Tokyo, Japan.

For starters, Jang Geun Suk‘s recent concert at the Tokyo Dome drew 45,000 fans, causing much commotion on the streets. His fans eagerly bought devil-horn headbands to showcase their fandom, and promotional posters for the concert were well-scattered on the streets of Ginza as well as Tokyo.

Not only that, billboards promoting 2PM-2AM‘s joint concert were visibly seen from the major streets of Akasaka, Ginza, Roppongi Hills, and more, informing fans of the boys’ January show. One fan remarked, “I personally like INFINITE. The more that boy bands like 2PM and 2AM gain popularity, the younger K-pop fans seem to get.”

A billboard of girl group After School also hangs from a department store building in Roppongi with aChristmas promotion in Shibuya, and actress Kim Tae Hee‘s endorsement advertisement can be easily spotted in the Japanese subway stations.

Hallyu is proving to have a significant impact on the Japanese lifestyle, to the point where an organization understandably protested Korean TV in front of the FujiTV building.

But the Hallyu-effect is proving to change not just entertainment in Japan, but the way the Japanese think about Korea.

A tour guide who has been living in Japan for over 15 years remarked, “Even just 10 years ago, the Japanese resented and belittled anything from Korea. But ever since actor Bae Yong Joon catalyzed a Hallyu boom [with dramas like 'Winter Sonata'], the wave has been sweeping Japan since.”

Source & Image : enews24 via Nate

cr: allkpop.com

J.Y. Park delivers a touching thank-you note for ‘Dream High’ fans and colleagues

J.Y. Park revealed his thoughts about his acting debut through KBS2TV’s “Dream High“.

On February 28th, the multi-entertainmer wrote on JYP Entertainment’s official homepage, “Hello, this is ‘Yang Jin Man‘. We finally finished filming ‘Dream High’. I had to cry comically for a scene but because I was thinking that this was the end, I cried very hard, though I didn’t put in artificial tears“.

He added, “Bae Yong Joon, who I co-produced this drama with, asked, ‘Are you happy? Sad?’ and I said, ‘I’m thankful. I’m thankful towards everyone’. I’m very thankful to my friend Yong Joon for liking my idea and developing it when it was just an insignificant idea of mine“.

J.Y. Park also thanked the production and film crews, as well as his fellow actors IU, Eunjung, Kim Soo Hyun, Um Ki Joon, and many others.

Turning towards his agency, J.Y. Park said, “I’m also thankful towards my kids Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Suzy, Joo, and the JYP family“.

He also added, “I’d also like to give my thanks to the viewers, who loved and stuck with ‘Dream High’ until the end, even though it lacked so many things. I learned so much by making my first drama. I’ll do my best to make my second drama a better work. Until then, all of you should ‘dream high’ to achieve your goals. Now we’ll start the last episode in a little while“.

He displayed affection for his character until the very end, closing his letter with “From Yang Jin Man“.

“Dream High” is set to air its last episode on February 28th at 9:55PM KST. Be sure to tune in!

Source: Star News via Nate
Creedit: allkpop