Korean is no longer confined to East Asia or a few countries. The influence of Hallyu (the Korean Wave) through K-pop, dramas, and movies has spread worldwide, leading to a rapid rise in demand for learning Korean in various countries. Learners of Korean have expanded globally, with a growing number in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Korean popular culture has become not just a trend but an economic and cultural force in the global market. As a result, many nations are seeing increased demand for Korean language education. Korean is no longer a minor language but has become a major foreign language across the world, especially among the younger generation, where its popularity is growing exponentially.
The Surging Popularity of Korean in Southeast Asia
Brunei
With a population of just 440,000, Brunei may be a small Southeast Asian country, but in 2022, Korean became the most learned foreign there. Brunei’s economy is largely dependent on oil and natural gas, and it boasts one of the world’s highest GDP per capita. The rise of Korean as the most popular foreign language in this wealthy nation is a remarkable phenomenon, largely influenced by Hallyu, including Korean dramas and K-pop. Given Brunei’s wealth, there is a significant potential for further economic and cultural exchanges with Korea, making Korean language skills even more valuable.
Bhutan
Bhutan, with a population of only 780,000, also named Korean the most learned foreign language in both 2021 and 2022. Bhutanese people, known for their focus on environmental conservation and happiness, are selective about external cultural influences, but Korean dramas and K-pop have found a unique place in Bhutanese society. The similarities between Bhutanese and Korean grammar also make Korean easier to learn for Bhutanese learners, further driving its popularity.
Bhutan’s traditional attire resembles Korea’s hanbok, and there are many cultural parallels between Bhutan and Korea, as well as other Himalayan regions like Tibet and Nepal. These cultural similarities have made learning Korean more accessible and appealing in Bhutan.
Mongolia
In 2022, Mongolia also saw Korean rise as the most popular foreign language. Mongolia, a country of about 3.33 million people, has a vast territory and a significant diaspora in places like inner Mongolia (China) and Russia, which means there is considerable potential for further Korean language education. Mongolia has long-standing historical and economic ties with Korea, and many Mongolians have worked in Korea, making Korean language skills a practical necessity.
It is said that about one in every hundred Mongolians has worked in Korea, showing the deep connections between the two nations. However, due to Mongolia’s precarious economic situation, partly because of its geopolitical position between China and Russia, many Mongolians hope to learn Korean to seek employment opportunities in Korea, fueling the demand for Korean language education.
The Rise of the Korean Language in South Asia
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, with a population of 166.3 million, has seen significant economic growth in recent years. The garment industry, which Bangladesh developed with help from Korea, has become a major engine of the nation’s economic progress, and this has increased the demand for learning Korean. As more Korean textile companies establish operations in Bangladesh, proficiency in Korean has become a valuable asset for Bangladeshis.
The growing middle class in Bangladesh is also contributing to the demand for learning Korean. Platforms like Duolingo are helping boost Korean learning across Bangladesh, where Korean is becoming one of the most popular foreign languages after English.
Pakistan
Pakistan, a South Asian giant with a population of 225.2 million, has long prioritized English as the primary foreign language. However, Korean has been rapidly emerging as a popular second language, driven by the enormous popularity of K-pop, particularly BTS. The fever for BTS is evident, with banners celebrating BTS member Jungkook’s birthday hung all across Pakistan showing the country’s growing interest in Korean culture.
Many Pakistan who have successfully established themselves as entrepreneurs in Korea serve as role models for others, further strengthening Pakistan’s economic ties with Korea and spurring interest in learning the Korean language.
Korean Learning Trends in Southeast Asia
Thailand
Thailand, with a population of 69.95 million, has seen Korean emerge as the second most popular foreign language. Thailand is one of the nations with a visa-free agreement with Korea, leading to an increase in the number of Thais visiting Korea. Many Thais admire Korea and are eager to learn the language, fueled by the popularity of Hallyu and the economic opportunities Korea offers.
Malaysia
Malaysia, a country of 32.78 million people, is part of the Muslim world where Korean has also become the second most popular foreign language. While Japanese remains the most popular foreign language in Malaysia, Korean is steadily gaining ground, especially among the youth who are deeply influenced by K-pop fandoms.
Myanmar
Myanmar, with a population of 54.81 million, is also experiencing a rise in Korean language learners. The grammatical structure of the Burmese language is similar to that of Korean, making Korean relatively easy to learn for Burmese speakers. The rivalry between Japanese and Korean as the most popular foreign languages in Myanmar is intensifying, with Korean gaining more interest.
Philippines
The Philippines, with a population of 113.2 million, uses English as one of its official languages. However, in 2022, Korean became the most popular foreign language in the Philippines. Korea and the Philippines maintain strong economic and cultural ties, with many Filipinos working in Korea. The rising interest in Korean culture, combined with job opportunities in Korea, has made learning Korean an essential skill in the Philippines.
The Potential of Korean as a Global Language
Korean is no longer just a minor language but is establishing itself as a global language. K-pop, dramas, and movies are breaking cultural barriers and sparking a Korean language learning boom worldwide. This is more than just a trend. It is proof that Korea is becoming an important tool for global communication.
The reasons people are learning Korean extends beyond cultural interest in Hallyu content. Many are seeking stronger economic and cultural ties with Korea. This trend is expected to continue, and Korean is poised to further solidify its place as a global language.