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This is a Literature Review study (also classified as: Observational).

August 26, 2025Open Access

K-pop Idols as Diplomats: South Korean Celebrities and Soft Power

Key Points

K-pop significantly enhances South Korea's soft power, showcasing its global cultural influence.
Analysis reveals that K-pop idols serve as effective public diplomats between 2018 and 2022, boosting international outreach.
The observational analysis of media discourse shows K-pop's role in shaping public perception and soft power strategies.
This approach highlights the potential of K-pop in international relations, suggesting deeper definitions of soft power.

Abstract

This study explores how South Korea has expanded its soft power through a strategy of using K-pop music idols as diplomats. It demonstrates how the South Korean government effectively employs K-pop to increase its soft power and uses K-pop idols as public diplomats, in five case studies from 2018–2022. Using global media discourse as an indicator of soft power, it provides an analysis of the effects of this strategy and shows how it has been advantageous for South Korea. The K-pop industry’s combined economic and cultural power make it a prime example of soft power today. With broader implications, this study suggests a more comprehensive definition of soft power. Keywords: K-pop, soft power, South Korea, public diplomacy, international relations

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Tara Shafie (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68af6210ad7bf08b1eae3480 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30958/ajpia.1-3-1

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