Another Study

Brother Gordon Foo has just shared with me this link that I would invite all of you to click on. It is essentially the same research that I am doing, but conducted by a group of students in Singapore. Please feel free to check it out and let me know if you agree, or disagree with their findings, any comments or questions that you might have. Thank you!

 http://projectsday.hci.edu.sg/…/15-…/Cat-02/2-007/index.html

What You Said

In my last post I discussed the different theories of globalization and how it has affects culture. Since then I asked some Singaporeans what their opinion is of how Hallyu has affected them. These are their responses:

(1) Singaporean Responder:

I think it is less of hybridity more convergence. You do get diehard fans of popstars and actors where they learn the language to enjoy the shows better. Some do engage in learning about Korea's history, literature, and/politics but those are few. Make-up style is arguably Korean, but that's mostly amongst students or young adults.

It may not be relevant, but I think Singapore's laws are heavily influenced by the British. Our media staple (e.g. Movies, songs, etc) are largely American so I'd say majority of the fashion/music/literature fits better with the convergence theory (as compared to Korean).

(2) Filipino Living in Singapore:

Currently, my Singaporean friends are now hooked with K-Dramas and I've seen how it influence their way of thinking. It's more to Hybrid as they're mixing their culture and languages with Korean's. Instead of them saying "ok lah", they will say "araso"; instead of saying "Terimah kasih"; they now say "kamsahamnida"; and instead of "ni hao!"; they now say "annyeonghaseyo"...
They pick up those from the K-dramas and are using it most of the time. However they're manner of speaking is still there. Still Singlish. They're just mixing it up with some Korean expressions.

I am very grateful for these responses and their thoughts on the Korean Wave's influence in Singapore. However, it seems that there is a slight difference of opinion as to whether the Korean movement in Singapore is actually mixing and changing the culture. The first responder does however hint at aspects of hybridization. She does acknowledge that there is an increased interest in Korean culture, politics, history, and fashion, but her argument is that it is only among "students or young adults". To me this means simply that the hybridity is focused on the younger generation and in the future we will see further hints of Hallyu embedded into Singapore culture.

What do you think?

Changing Tides

Today I want to talk about the different effects that Hallyu could have on Singaporean Culture. In anthropology there are a lot of different theories about the way that cultures are maintained and/or blended when globalization is introduced. I will quickly review just a few of the major theories.

Differentialism: Cosmology of Purity. This is an ethnocentric idea that typifies the clash of civilizations. This theory argues that differences cannot be reconciled and there are no grey areas.

Convergence: Cosmology of Emanation. Convergence states that there is a center, or margin from which all of the best things originate, and are then diffused and spread from there to outlying regions. An example of this is the convergence of McDonald's as it has spread world-wide from a center point.

Hybridity/Mixing: Cosmology of Translocation. This is the theory of cultural mixing. As globalization spreads and accelerates cultures, language, music, etc. is hybridized and takes on a new form.



So, here is the question? Which of these occurs in Singapore as the Korean Wave becomes more prominent? There is very clearly an argument for convergence. South Korea would be considered the center or margin, and it's influence has spread/diffused to Singapore via K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean Fashion, etc. Now, to what degree has the culture been hybridized? Are there aspects of Singaporean culture that have changed or adapted to fit this new Korean trend? Has it changed the popular music, television, etc? Do you wear different clothes or use different language? I am really asking! So all of you Singaporean out there, please help me understand how Hallyu has affected you and your Singaporean way of life!