Jeff Yang : For many years , I was never one of the cool kids , part of the in crowd . Yang : I was surprised when Japanese and Hong Kong pop culture became popular . It all underscores the fact that the rise of Korean cool was hardly an accident — and that it could well have staying power . He says South Korea is now hot -- with K-pop , Samsung , `` Gangnam Style , '' movies . Yang : The Korean Wave has been a huge success for Japan.
Jeff Yang : For many years , I was never one of the cool kids , part of the in crowd . Yang : I was surprised when Japanese and Hong Kong pop culture became popular . He says South Korea is now hot -- with K-pop , Samsung , `` Gangnam Style , '' movies . Yang : The Korean Wave has been a huge success for Japan.