Italian Alberto and Germain Daniel talked about the influence of K-culture represented by BTS and “Squid Game”

Alberto and Daniel couldn’t believe how fast Korean culture’s popularity has grown.

MBC Every1’s program “The Oppa of Tteokbokki House,” which aired on the afternoon of March 1st, featured Sean of Jinusean and broadcasters Alberto-Daniel as guests.

On this day, Daniel from Germany and Alberto from Italy talked about the K-cultural craze that spread around the world.

Daniel said, “I’m from rural Germany, and people once danced Psy‘s “Gangnam Style” horse dance in front of City Hall. I thought, ‘How could it be?'” he said adding, “It was a time when people didn’t know much about Korea to the point where the media misinformed on their news that ‘Kim Jong-il is dancing’.”

Daniel then said that in 2006, only two people chose Korean as their first foreign language, but in 2018, when witnessing 17,000 European audiences speak Korean at a concert hall in Berlin, he had a mental breakdown. With the opening of the OTT market, K-culture representatives such as ‘Squid Game‘ and ‘Parasite‘ are gaining popularity. He said. “There is no open place in the Department of Korean Language anymore.”

Alberto said, “In Italy,everyone knows BTS. They are already a global star. Their songs come out everywhere in hypermarkets and radios,” he added, “There are still many people who do not know much about Korea,” but he revealed a positive aspect, saying, “Korea is stimulating curiosity through culture.”

The two, who are well aware of Korean history, said, “Korea has protected its culture while going through the Japanese colonial era, war, division, and military regime. That’s amazing,” adding, “People call Korea ‘Hell Joseon,’ I hope Koreans will be a little happier.”

Regarding “what to do for the next generation,” Daniel stressed, “social integration is needed through resolving conflicts in society such as left and right, men and women, generations, educational background, and education,” and Alberto talked about the importance of environmental and nature protection.