Bae Yong-joon Denounces Term "Korean Wave" (2009/10/02)

Actor Bae Yong-joon, who is known as a "Korean Wave" star, says he wishes the term "Korean Wave" were not used.

Bae made his remark during a meeting with journalists after an event that marked the publishing of his book on the beauty of Korea on September 30. "'Korean Wave' has become a trite phrase. I wish it were replaced with something like 'cultural exchange'", said the actor.

Bae once expressed displeasure with an article about him that was entitled "Kneeling In Front Of Korean Wave". "Once such news reports are published in Korea, they are cited in other countries as well. We need to put more thought into what is more beneficial for Korea", said Bae.