Ricardo Falú and Chris Shelton
February 17, 2026
South Korea is launching a special visa for K-pop lovers
This video is part of: Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics
It’s called the Hallyu visa. Hallyu translates as ‘Korean wave’ and is used to describe the global popularity of Korean culture, or K-culture. Watch to learn more.
The Korean Wave, known as Hallyu, has swept the globe, captivating audiences with K-pop beats and K-drama plots. Now, South Korea aims to turn this cultural enthusiasm into an experiential opportunity with the Hallyu visa. This unique visa program invites international K-culture fans to immerse themselves in the heart of the scene, offering a chance to live the K-dream firsthand.
Beyond sightseeing with the Hallyu Visa
Tourists cite K-pop as their top reason for visiting South Korea. Outweighing the next most popular - Korean food - by a factor of 2.6. South Korea’s tourism industry is a key driver of economic growth. The Hallyu visa is for foreigners who want to take part in K culture themselves.
Watch to learn more about the Hally Visa.
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