Beyond the reach of political control: historical memory, soft power, and cultural attraction during the 2019 Japan–South Korea dispute

This thesis analyzes the relationship between soft power and cultural attraction within the context of political tensions between Japan and South Korea. Despite deep economic and strategic ties, the two countries remain divided by unresolved issues stemming from colonial rule, the memory of conflict, and even territorial disputes. At the same time, however, both have developed successful cultural industries capable of capturing vast audiences abroad. Consequently, cultural ties between the two societies have persisted even as political relations have become increasingly strained. The role of governments in shaping cultural attraction is examined through the support provided to cultural industries and their international expansion, while acknowledging the impossibility of fully controlling foreign audiences' responses to cultural products. The 2019 dispute between Japan and South Korea serves as the primary case study, as it allows for the integration of data on cultural consumption with trends in trade, tourism, distribution, and public opinion. The research findings highlight how political tensions have impacted cultural exchanges, exerting pressure on specific products and companies. Yet, even amidst deteriorating diplomatic relations, cultural interest has not waned; this suggests that established cultural ties and transnational connections are capable of sustaining cultural attraction independently of direct political influences.