Korean entertainment and culture have enjoyed global popularity for a long time.
However, recently taken the United States by storm. Landmark successes, such as Netflix’s "Squid Game," and the emergence of prominent South Korean talents in Hollywood—including Lisa of Blackpink, the Thai-born K-pop superstar who recently starred in HBO’s latest season of "White Lotus"—are propelling Korean culture firmly into the American mainstream.
K-dramas and K-pop have become everyday references, and now a growing movement of "K-faith" is adding a new dimension to this cultural wave.
Brother Andrew Sanggu Kang, age 29, currently studying with the Legionaries of Christ in Rome and originally from Cheongju, South Korea, embodies this merging of culture and faith.
During this year’s Jubilee of Youth, he was thrilled to meet fellow young Catholics from around the world. He was especially touched to witness more than 1,000 Korean pilgrims making their presence felt in Rome’s historic streets.
Asked to explain what "K-faith" means to him, Brother Andrew shared:
"I'm a brother, and I will be a future priest. I love K-pop, K-dramas, all that 'K' stuff. Now, we want to show the world K-faith. Korean culture is very unique. You cannot see it anywhere else. And this K-culture is always looking for beauty, order, and harmony. Hopefully, we can see and experience K-faith at World Youth Day. K-faith is experiencing our Catholic faith with Korean culture—a culture filled with harmony, order, and beauty.”
Brother Andrew also participated in the Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Influencers at the Vatican, where he spoke about his approach to evangelization online.
He intentionally weaves elements of K-pop and K-dramas into his digital content to share the radiance of the Catholic faith.
Here's an example below:
While some might view popular Korean culture as highly secular and very “human,” Brother Andrew sees immense good in it and understands its compelling draw for young people.
He explains that, at its core, God is beauty itself.
By seeking beauty in K-pop, K-dramas, and all aspects of Korean culture, he believes we can encounter God more deeply.
“K-culture is not contrary to God or our faith,” he says. In fact, he thinks it offers us fresh opportunities to collaborate and discover “even greater beauty in our faith.”