What is Globalization? - Kim Yewon

 1. Summary

Globalization can be defined in many ways depending on the context, but it is commonly understood as a process of deepening global connectivity and consciousness. Robertson described it as “the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole.” Since then, other scholars have expanded the term to include the causes, processes, and consequences of transnational and transcultural integration.

Globalization is not only about trade or economics. It is a complex phenomenon where national boundaries become blurred, and interactions increase in cultural, political, and economic dimensions. These three areas influence each other and work together, creating deeper interdependence among countries.

Among them, cultural globalization is the most visible. It refers to the spread of symbols, behavioral norms, and values across borders, along with the standardization of commodities and ideologies. Scholars describe this using terms such as cultural homogenization, cultural hegemony, Westernization, Americanization, or, conversely, Orientalism. In practice, people around the world are surrounded by K-pop, Japanese anime, and Hollywood films in their everyday lives.

Globalization has roots in ancient times, when countries first started exchanging goods and ideas. Trade expanded rapidly in the thirteenth century, marking a major acceleration. However, events like the Black Death in the fourteenth century significantly slowed down international trade and temporarily halted globalization. Similarly, in the modern era, pandemics and other crises can interrupt global flows. Today, advances in transportation and communication are the main driving forces behind globalization.

Globalization boosts trade and investment, stimulates economic growth, and creates jobs and higher incomes. It also enables cultural exchange, making diversity more accessible and enriching. Moreover, globalization and technological development reinforce each other: as technology evolves, globalization accelerates, and vice versa. This cycle fosters innovation and opens new opportunities in many fields.

Experts predict that with the continuing advancement of technology, globalization will accelerate even further. This will create opportunities for both nations and individuals, potentially guiding the world in a better direction.

2. New or Interesting

In the past, when I thought about globalization, I usually imagined it as a one-way process, flowing from the West to the rest of the world. However, I found it fascinating that Eastern cultures, like Japanese anime, K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty, have also spread to the West. For example, the movie K-pop Demon Hunters, deeply rooted in Korean sentiment, became a worldwide hit, and shows like Squid Game also gained massive popularity abroad. I personally witnessed this during my exchange semester in Germany. At a film museum, I saw someone write down K-pop Demon Hunters as their favorite movie. In my dorm, my neighbor was blasting its OST “Golden” at full volume, showing me how real the popularity of Korean content has become. K-beauty was also widely known among female students, and I had many conversations about it. When I sang APT by Rosé and Bruno Mars at karaoke, everyone joined in, which was quite memorable.

I also love Japanese anime, and when I asked some European male students, many of them told me they had watched series like Attack on Titan or Naruto during their school years and still loved them. These shared cultural interests helped me connect with people more easily.

Another interesting point was learning that globalization is not just abstract cultural exchange but is also deeply tied to technological advances in transportation and communication. It was surprising to realize how much these developments made global interaction possible throughout history. I also learned that major events like the Black Death significantly affected globalization, showing that everything is interconnected. Looking ahead, it is impossible to predict whether globalization will accelerate, pause, or even retreat, just as we could not foresee how the COVID-19 pandemic would slow it down.

At first glance, globalization seems to bring only benefits, such as economic growth and cultural enrichment. However, I now understand the potential risks. One issue is cultural homogenization, where one dominant culture overshadows others, sometimes threatening the survival of traditional or minority cultures and weakening national identity. Another concern is economic inequality. The wealth created by globalization is often concentrated in certain countries or corporations, while poorer countries risk being left behind. As income gaps widen, there is a danger that low-income nations or regions may be excluded from global progress.

3. Questions for Discussion

The concept of 'Orientalism' refers to the way the West receives and interprets the East. In this process, the East has often been portrayed as exotic and mysterious. But in today’s era of advanced globalization, is Orientalism still a reality?

In older Hollywood movies, Asian characters were usually shown in similar ways—as mystical martial artists or silent sidekicks. When people think about Eastern fashion, traditional clothes such as the hanbok, kimono, or qipao often come to mind, and these outfits are sometimes used out of context. For many Asians, it is not unusual to feel uncomfortable when watching foreign films that insert Eastern elements carelessly or in ways that do not make sense.

Today, however, the popularity of East Asian content such as K-pop, K-dramas, and Japanese anime is rapidly increasing. These cultural products are not simply the “traditional Eastern styles” that Westerners once imagined. Instead, they often feel like blends of both Western and Eastern influences. For example, K-pop has been heavily shaped by Western music genres like hip-hop while still keeping its own unique identity.

This raises important questions: should we still consider the global spread of these new cultural forms as a type of Orientalism? Do Western audiences continue to see the East as exotic and mysterious, or are they now beginning to accept it as an equal cultural actor in the global landscape?

AI Assistance: I used GPT to help with translation and sentence refinement.