The year 2025 marked an important time for Korean culture, as it spread across the world faster and on a larger scale than ever before. What once took years of constant promotion suddenly became a global phenomenon embraced almost overnight.
At the center of this cultural wave was the explosive success of the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. Its popularity went far beyond box office numbers or streaming charts. The film became a gateway through which global audiences fell in love not only with K-pop, but also with Korean food, landmarks, traditions and everyday lifestyles. Today, it’s no longer surprising to hear K-pop playing in stores overseas or to see Korean instant noodles lining supermarket shelves around the world. Watching Korean culture spread across the world so naturally is thrilling and, at times, almost surreal.
Culture flows just like water: soft and flexible, but impossible to stop once it gains momentum. The steady and joyful current of K culture in 2025 has proven that its influence is no longer a trend, but an enduring global force. From music and films to cuisine and heritage, Korean culture has become ingrained in everyday life far beyond its borders.
With the hope that this vibrant flow will continue into the next year and beyond, Yonhap News has rounded up the most memorable K-culture moments covered throughout 2025. These highlights have been symbolically brought together in the form of “Derpy,” the tiger character from KPop Demon Huntersrepresenting the strength, charm and unstoppable spirit of Korean culture as it roared onto the world stage.
Sources: Daum
Related articles
