Hong Kong’s post-1997 search for identity helped rise of K-pop, says South Korean consul

Hongkongers’ struggle for a cultural identity after the 1997 handover has given rise to the popularity of Korean pop culture in the city, according to Seoul’s top diplomat here.

But to ride on the power of cultural exports to generate economic benefits, South Korean Consul General Kim Kwang-dong said cultivating strong manufacturing industries was essential and urged the city’s leaders to consider reviving this faded sector.

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Speaking on the eve of tonight’s Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) taking place in Hong Kong for the fourth time, Kim said he was initially surprised to learn that Korean wave, or hallyu in Korean, has a huge following in Hong Kong as well as mainland China.

But he figured there was a reason for that, said Kim. “I feel that Hong Kong is suffering from a cultural identity crisis after the handover,” he said, talking about his observations of the former British colony.

He noticed that Hongkongers, particularly young people, constantly questioned their roots. “They ask, are we Chinese? Or are we Chinese with a European way of thinking?”

Kim said while K-pop might be tailor-made for youngsters, the content and ideas behind Korean dramas stemmed from the country’s history and traditions, which make up the missing piece in the mainland cultural puzzle.

“Historical events like the Cultural Revolution destroyed a lot of Chinese and Oriental values,” said Kim, who was previously stationed in Beijing. “Korean dramas touch upon the deep emotional bonds among family members ... They awaken the lost Chinese or Oriental values in mainland China.”