On the 2nd of May, Universiti Malaya held a special lecture entitled 'Korea and Malaysia: Partners for the Future' which was delivered by H.E. Dr. Park Jin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea at the Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya. Also present with Pro-Chancellors, Chairman Board of Directors.
In the lecture, H.E Dr. Park Jin highlighted the transformative impact of AI technology, particularly Chat-GPT, on our lives. As part of the lecture, an intriguing question was posed to the AI chatbot, uncovering Malaysians' top five favorite things about Korea.
“The first attraction Malaysians expressed for Korean culture is K-Pop, with global sensations like BTS capturing the hearts of many. Additionally, the recent Black Pink concert in Kuala Lumpur drew an impressive crowd of 60,000 fans, showcasing the immense popularity of Korean music in Malaysia.
“Second on the list is K-Drama, as Malaysian viewers have shown a keen interest in Korean TV series such as "Queenmaker" and "The Glory." In fact, Korean dramas dominated the top 10 most-watched TV series on Malaysian Netflix, with five out of the ten being Korean dramas. The tremendous following for shows like "Queenmaker," "Dr. Cha," "The Glory," "Mr. Queen," and "True Beauty" demonstrates the widespread appeal of Korean storytelling.
“Malaysians' love for Korean cuisine ranked third on the list. Inspired by Korean dramas and movies, Malaysian food enthusiasts have embraced popular dishes like Kimchi, Bulgogi, and Galbi. The global popularity of Korean cuisine has led to easy access to Korean street foods like "떡볶이" (spicy rice cake) and "불닭 볶음면" (fire chicken noodle) through convenience chains like CU and Emart24,” he added.
H.E Dr. Park Jin also added that the fourth favourite aspect of Korean culture among Malaysians is beauty products. Korean cosmetics, known for their emphasis on complexion and flawless skin, have gained a devoted following in Malaysia. Malaysians have been drawn to the skincare and makeup products that promote blemish-free and hydrated skin, resembling porcelain-like perfection.
“Finally, the fifth beloved aspect of Korean culture in Malaysia is the Korean language and the country's overall cultural influence. Many Malaysians have started learning Korean to enjoy Korean TV shows without subtitles, leading to Korean becoming one of the fastest-growing languages globally. The opening of a Korean Studies Major at UM and the increasing number of Korean language classes reflect the growing interest in Korean culture among Malaysians.
“This fascinating insight into Malaysians' adoration for Korean culture was made possible through the interaction with Chat-GPT, showcasing the significant impact of AI technology on understanding societal preferences. The discussion exemplifies a turning point in the application of AI and its ability to revolutionize our lives,” he said.