Cultural Exchange or Cultural Invasion?
The Hallyu Craze in North East India
“K Pop” or Korean Pop Music has become a worldwide phenomenon. The internet and social media revolution proffered the recognition it deserved. Hallyu (Korean Wave) is a musical genre inspired by jazzy ballads, upbeat, and an offshoot of cultural hybridization. It is a unique contributor to the realm of pop music. Their distinctive features, including perfectly choreographed videos, trend-defining fashion, toe-tapping techno beats, and crazy colorful aesthetics, set them apart from the leading Western bands.
Originating in China’s capital Beijing in the mid-1990s, the Korean Wave or “Hallyu” was opposed in Japan. As a global phenomenon, Hallyu is supported and encouraged by the Korean government. It aids in promoting Korean culture, which stimulates economic growth and strengthens the nation’s political stand and diplomatic ties.
Amassing a large fan base worldwide, K-Pop is a wave that has enshrouded Northeast India. Do visit these eight states to recognize its popularity.
Northeast India, an unparalleled diversity with an enormous spectrum of resplendence and the incorporation of diverse traditions, cultures, and communities, is cited as the heart of the Korean Wave in India. Food habits, outfits, and personalities have witnessed a drastic shift since the prevalence of the Hallyu Wave.
Cultural Discrepancy with Bollywood
Its cultural discrepancy with “mainland India’s” entertainment fraternities is what bewitches them and draws a sense of attachment to the Korean diversion. For instance — let us consider Manipur — the state had a protracted insurgency for a long time, leading to the waging of war, thereby pursuing a myriad of demands. A high-powered local group called the Revolutionary People’s Front enacted a ban on Hindi films and broadcasters to eliminate the influence of “so-called Indianization”.
Korean films filled this void, as the streets of Manipur swamped with pirated Korean DVDs and CDs. Even 14 years later, when the prohibition is slightly relaxed, with Hindi films widely distributed across the state, Manipur is still enthralled by Korean entertainment.
Piracy has contributed to the flourishment of the Korean wave in Northeast India, as pirated CDs and DVDs of Korean films and music are available at Rs 30 across several states.
While youngsters in other regions of India stick posters of Bollywood actors and singers on walls, K-Pop vocalists hog the limelight in Northeast India. It won’t be wrong if one says that Korean ethos has taken over the hearts and homes of many households in the Northeast. Since the local cable commenced the translation procedure, citizens in Mizoram, including the older generation, have become solely addicted to Korean songs and films.
Masses continue to drape themselves in outfits influenced by Korean bands. People often wear wigs styled after Korean spiky haircuts. The majority of youth have social media accounts named after Korean terms. Locals here pick up Korean instead of Hindi and articulate through the following dialect.
Cordial Values & Acculturation
The Hornbill Festival, an annual music festival, has served as a foundation to introduce the youth to K-Pop bands and artists. The primary factor that abets the popularity of the Korean wave is the cultural proximity of the Korean society with that of the Manipuri, Naga, and Mizo societies.
The representation of Asian family-cordial values turned out to be the primary cause of the popularity of the Korean Wave. Both the Mizos and Nagas incorporate sociocultural similarities to their love of music. Both Manipur and South Korea practice shamanism, a religion prevalent in Pagan societies. Restaurants in this area are skilled in serving traditional Korean dishes such as kimchi, Korean barbecue, and soju.
Refusing to be “Indianized” or accepting its diversities never seemed to be an obstacle to cultural hybridization. People in the Northeast face racial discrimination and oppression in various Indian metros, which has left people slightly inclined towards the Hallyu wave.
Any cultural proximity might not have such a negative impact, downplaying its traditions and customs. It is cited as significant, especially when the discussion marks Northeast India — the center of Korean culture. Masses barely speak Hindi, but eagerly trying to adopt the Korean language is now a matter of debate. Imbalances of such kinds require an immediate call from a scholarly discourse.
