Korean culture, embodied in music and movies, fashion and food, is imposing a visible and speedy impact on China. In contrast, China's traditions, such as Confucian culture, has had an invisible and long-established influence in the other direction. The former is often referred to as the "Korean Wave" or hallyu (韩流) while the latter "Chinese wind" (汉风). These bilateral "flows of culture" is bound to continue to play an important role in the mutual relationship between China and Republic of Korea. |
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Chinese elements such as written characters, Confucianism and Chinese cuisine are having an increasing presence in the Republic of Korea and have been embedded into the lives of local people. more | ||
Tea leaves were imported from China nearly a thousand years ago. |
Chinese was used before 1443 when the Korean language was created |
Film adaptation of Chinese author Yu Hua's 1995 novel is under way. |
Ever since the turn of the new century, hallyu, or Korean wave, has been blowing not just in East Asia but all across the globe. Republic of Korea's pop culture, drama, fashion and trends have gathered significant popularity for hallyu fans worldwide. |
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South Korean soap opera "The Heirs" and "My Love from the Stars" has stirred a new hallyu craze in China. |
South Korean stars like actor Lee Minho have once again gathered momentum in China's showbiz. |
South Korean Rapper Psy has taken the world by a storm with his record-breaking hit single "Gangnam Style." |
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South Korea is the biggest contributor to international students in China. According to China's Ministry of Education, in 2012, nearly 20% of international students studying in China came from Republic of Korea (see chart to the left). Chinese students are also rushing to South Korea to pursuit their academic career. According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to China, in 2013, South Korea received 85,923 international students and 58.6% were of Chinese origin. |