Shifting Soft Power Dynamics in Anti-Hallyu of China and Japan

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate changing nature of soft power dynamics in the process of interaction with other states, through the empirical example of anti-Hallyu at China and Japan. To do so, existing literature on soft power and Hallyu will be reviewed for suggesting new types of conceptualization on soft power dynamics based on them. Then, the comparative cases of anti-Hallyu in China and Japan will be analyzed and employed to evaluate the new concepts utility in real contexts. Soft power dynamics here would be argued as continuously shifting on inter-state negotiations, and as containing mutuality for both sides of sending and receiving states for related policies. From the case study of anti-Hallyu, the monetary capital of material resources was found to be wielding influence over soft power dynamics. The reason why Korea had to adopt such wide-ranging localization efforts in Chinese and Japanese contexts was capital. If Korea had a larger domestic market, it might have turned more nationalistic than trying to tailor to foreign tastes. Also, through the case study, soft power was found to be uncontrollable by the initiator state. Through interaction between states, the same soft resource can change its character in opposite direction, as was seen in Hallyus role with Chinas interests. According to interactions between states to negotiate on soft power using the resources they have, soft power dynamics keep on changing in a fluid way of going back and forth. The outcome of the interactions, Hallyu resource began contributing to Chinas national interests, by introducing Chinese culture to Koreans via media contents. Chinese capital investments dominating over Koreas media industry resulted in indirect soft power effects. However, Japans protectionist approach to restricting Hallyu rather backfired against its own national interests by lessening its leverage for cultural influence and resulting soft power with Korea.

Keywords: Hallyu, Korean Wave, Soft Power, Popular Culture, Nationalism, Korea, China, Japan

Student Number: 2014-24217