Professor Jin Dal-yong from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will host a discussion on social media’s role in the Korean Wave.

The talk will focus on what has led hallyu to its current position, focusing on the role of social media and how the Korean Wave is received in North America.

He draws a distinction between the first wave of Korean pop culture and the “new” Korean Wave since 2007, which he says is social media-driven, contains more foreign influences and is pushed by the government.

He also points out that the industries are different.

“In the old days it was broadcasting and cinema, but now K-pop, animation and mobile games are major cultural products,” said Jin.

The event will run from 7:30-9 p.m. at Somerset Palace on the second-floor Residents’ Lounge. The lecture is free for Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch members and 7,000 won for nonmembers.

(myk@heraldcorp.com)