The popularity of South Korean popular culture in Asia and other parts of the world is beneficial to businesses seeking to expand overseas, a poll showed Wednesday.

The survey on 300 companies conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed 51.9 percent of the respondents saying the Korean wave contributing to greater sales abroad.

The Korean wave, or “hallyu,” refers to the popularity of TV shows and music that have secured hordes of fans in Asia, Europe and the American continent.

The country‘s largest private economic organization with 135,000 members said the Korean wave has exerted the greatest effect on the cultural content field, tourism and retail.

The survey said 86.7 percent of cultural content businesses had better sales, with numbers reaching 85.7 percent and 75.0 percent for tourism and retail, respectively.

The findings also showed manufacturers in food, cosmetics, clothing, consumer electronics and autos benefiting from the positive publicity generated by South Korean TV dramas and pop singers.

“Of the companies checked 82.8 percent said the spread of hallyu has helped instill a good image about South Korea and its products in overseas markets,” the organization said. It added that

43.5 percent of the local businesses polled said they have experienced an improved perception when entering new overseas markets.

The organization said the Korean wave has fueled the influx of foreign tourists that has helped the local economy. In 2011, 9.79 million foreign visitors came to South Korea, up 11.3 percent from the year before. The country expects tourist numbers to hit 11 million in 2012.

The KCCI said that because of such popularity, one out of five companies used entertainers and singing groups in their advertisements.

The poll also showed the impact of Korean popular culture is felt most in Japan and China, followed by Southeast Asia. Asian countries account for most of the estimated 3.3 million hallyu fans worldwide.

(Yonhap News)