K-pop and K-drama have become more popular these days. For example, BTS, a seven-boy K-pop group, has become the biggest K-pop icon (75 million views for their new song) with their Army, a globally networked fan club with millions of those who do not share the same culture and language with the group. How is it possible to have such a huge fandom? What makes them so popular regardless of their differences? This course will explore the increasing popularity of contemporary Korean culture, also known as hallyu (literally, the Korean Wave). To understand the rise of hallyu, we will examine the themes embedded in Korean pop culture, the role of social media (Youtube), and other factors influencing global popularity of Korean pop culture through readings, watching Korean movies, dramas, or music videos, as well as learning from guest lectures or performances.