The Hallyu Hexagon:

Authors

• Katherine Linton

Keywords

Netflix popularity, Korean drama globalization, Korean Wave, cross-border romance

Abstract

From the opening credits, Crash Landing On You1 captured the attention and adoration of millions. The show follows a South Korean chaebol heiress, Yoon Se-ri, who crash lands into the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone. She is discovered by North Korean soldier, Ri Jeong Hyeok, who mercifully decides not to kill her on the spot. Over the course of 16 episodes and 23 hours, as Ri Jeong Hyeok betrays loyalty lines by evading the North Korean Military Police and helping Yoon Se-ri return to the south, the two’s fateful meeting evolves into a cross-border romance.

Korean dramas are not a new form of media; hundreds are available on Netflix and other streaming sites, but Crash Landing On You was arguably the first to achieve widespread international attention. It was the third-mostwatched show on Netflix worldwide in its release year of 2020, and was awarded Best Drama Series at the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

Yet, the popularity of Crash Landing On You (henceforth referred to as CLOY), is a microcosm of Korea’s recent broader cultural influence on the global stage. “Hallyu,” (Korean Wave), is the cultural phenomenon by which South Korea has permeated into all aspects of pop culture—from food to beauty to music.

Recommended Citation

Linton, Katherine (2026) "The Hallyu Hexagon:," BYU Asian Studies Student Journal: Vol. 11, Article 13.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/asj/vol11/iss1/13