Korean Wave's expanding global impact highlighted in Paris

By Joonha Yoo Posted : June 18, 2026, 11:12 Updated : June 18, 2026, 11:13
Participants pose for a photo at an event in Paris on June 17, 2026.  From left, Park In-nam, senior official at the Korea Creative Content Agency; Kim Hyung-suk, head of Nongshim Europe; Jung Sun-hwa, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's Paris office; critic Oh Dong-jin; Seung-hyun Choi, vice president of Netflix Korea; and critic Yoon Sung-eun. Courtesy of Netflix
SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) -  Government officials and industry leaders gathered this week in France to discuss the global popularity of South Korean films and dramas, American streaming giant Netflix said on Thursday.

The gathering, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, took place at the Palais des Congrès de Paris on Tuesday as part of an event marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.

Their discussions focused on how South Korean films, TV series and other content are fueling global interest in tourism, food, beauty and other lifestyle sectors.

The event also brought together about 100 Korean companies and retailers, with exhibition spaces dedicated to six themes showcasing collaborations and partnerships in tourism, consumer goods, beauty and other sectors.

In a session titled "From Screen to Lifestyle," Choi Seung-hyun, vice president of Netflix's Seoul office, said the platform has become a primary way for international viewers to discover South Korean content, adding that more than 80 percent of Netflix subscribers worldwide have watched at least one series.

She also said a survey conducted by Netflix last year across eight countries found that 83 percent of regular viewers of South Korean series in France chose Netflix as their main viewing platform.

Kim Hyung-suk, head of instant noodle giant Nongshim's Europe office, said the popularity of Korean dramas, which often feature scenes of people eating instant noodles and other foods, has helped boost interest in South Korean cuisine there.

Nongshim's sales in Europe rose 46 percent in the first half from a year earlier, according to Kim.

Jung Sun-hwa, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's office in Paris, said South Korean beauty shops, restaurants and supermarkets are now attracting more locals there rather than primarily serving South Korean residents and students.

She also said locations and food featured in films and dramas are increasingly becoming reasons for French people to consider traveling to Seoul.

Park In-nam, a senior official at the Korea Creative Content Agency, said the country's content exports reached a record US$14.08 billion in 2024, with the agency aiming to expand into markets in Europe and North America beyond Asia.

Netflix said it will continue its partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency through their joint training program for aspiring directors, production workers and other professionals, which has already produced about 2,200 graduates over the past two years.
 

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