The Power of Hallyu: Educational, Work, and Migration Tendencies of Turkish Youth Toward Korea
Chapter from the book:
Kırcı Çevik,
N.
&
Buğan,
M.
F.
(eds.)
2025.
Theory, Research and Debates in Social Sciences - 3.
Synopsis
This study examines how the Hallyu (Korean Wave), as an instrument of South Korea’s cultural diplomacy and soft power, shapes the educational, work, and migration tendencies of Turkish youth toward Korea. The research adopts a descriptive approach based on a comprehensive review of the current literature and media analyses. This study assesses the impact of the increasing popularity of Korean popular culture, specifically K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty, on cultural perceptions and the motivations of youth in Türkiye to learn the Korean language, pursue education in Korean universities, and explore career opportunities in Korea. The results show that Hallyu serves as a socioeconomic and cultural draw, strengthening Korea's reputation as an alternative destination for the educational and lifestyle choices of Turkish young. However, the lack of quantitative and qualitative data in the current literature makes it difficult to measure these trends among youth in Türkiye precisely. The study calls for further empirical research on Türkiye and Korea youth mobility and suggests that this growing interest represents a new dimension of cultural interaction shaped by soft power dynamics.
