Korean youth culture is all the rage in Southeast Asia. In January, the leading Indonesian newspaper Kompas published a front-page article on Korean culture titled: "Korean Pop Culture Launches Itself on the World."
"The image of South Korean celebrities with their shapely figure as smooth as porcelain, leaves a powerful impression," the paper said. "It is no surprise that today many young people want to look just like them." The paper added that "our daily lives are surrounded by Korean products, from cars, electric appliances to supermarkets" due to the Korean Boom. "Cool Korea" has transcended the domain of entertainment to become a social phenomenon.
When it comes to manga and anime, Japan still has the edge. However, in the world of TV programs and pop music, which enjoy greater media exposure, South Korea is absolutely tops. For that reason, Japanese culture seems to be losing ground in Southeast Asia.