Korea and Europe Together: More Than a Trend🤝 #korea

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]INSIDE KOREA SHOW.

[00:00:05]TODAY'S TOPIC IS [music] K-CULTURE, which has recently been gaining massive popularity around the world. [music] Let's bring in our expert and take a closer look.

[00:00:19]Let's get started.

[00:00:24]>> [applause] >> Thank you for joining us today. Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. If you listen to what's happening in Europe these days, it honestly feels like the entire continent collectively joined the fandom of Korean culture. Seriously, I hear K-pop is absolutely exploding over there right now. I saw a report saying K-pop album exports hit an all-time high in the first quarter of this year alone.

[00:00:50]But the really crazy part, Europe's growth rate, up by 461%.

[00:00:56]That's basically an entire continent suddenly deciding, "You know what? We collect photo cards now." Twice is currently touring across eight European countries, London, Paris, Amsterdam. At this point, Europeans may no longer be asking, "Where should we go for vacation?" but instead, "Which city should we fly to for the Twice concert?"

[00:01:18]Seriously though, the ticket competition for those European shows was insane. I actually tried getting them myself.

[00:01:24]What's especially interesting is that Twice's European tour scale keeps getting bigger. Local fans aren't consuming Korean culture just because it's trendy anymore. They're embracing it almost like a lifestyle. When on earth is this Korean K-pop fever going to die down? Because unless the competition disappears, I'm never getting into that concert. That won't be easy.

[00:01:51]Actually, many Europeans think this relationship with Korea is like a recent fling. In truth, Korea and Europe are celebrating 63 years of diplomatic ties this year. It's a very deep arranged marriage. I mean, a partnership of trust. 63 years? Wow. So, was it just a relationship on paper or was it a real fiery friendship? It was very intense.

[00:02:15]Look at the Korean War. When Korea was going through its hardest time, European nations stepped up. Six countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Greece sent combat troops. While five countries, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and Germany provided medical support. This isn't just cooperation.

[00:02:41]It's a loyalty forged in blood. So, Europe was basically Korea's original relief pitcher. Well, now that we've talked about the past, let's move on to the future. What's next? Korea and Europe going to space together or something? Or maybe are they dancing with penguins?

[00:03:02]Oh, you're actually surprisingly close.

[00:03:05]It's polar research. Korea's cooperation with Norway has been especially remarkable.

[00:03:10]Do you know where Korea's Arctic research station is located? It was built on an island connected to Norwegian territory. Norway basically said, "Here, use our land. Let's study the future of the planet together." Hold on. Norway lent Korea land? That's basically best friend level trust.

[00:03:31]So, in the end, Korea and Europe are true partners connected through the past, the present, and even the future?

[00:03:40]Exactly. Korea and Europe aren't just trading partners. They're comrades sweating together in the coldest places on Earth for the future of humanity.

[00:03:49]Europeans don't love Korea simply because the music is catchy, it's also because this deep trust has been built over decades. Wow.

[00:03:59]Are we entering an era where K-pop fans bring light sticks to Antarctica? All right, everyone. From now on, don't be surprised if you find yourself studying the history of Korea and Europe while watching a K-pop concert in Europe. It's just the algorithm of a 63-year-old friendship.

[00:04:17]Got it?

[00:04:19]>> [music]