The Impact of Korean Wave on the Distribution of Consumer Goods Exports

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a basis for establishing a policy to promote the export of Korean goods through the economic ripple effect of the Korean Wave. From 2001 to 2017, cultural goods exports and consumer goods exports data to 102 countries were used to estimate the effect of cultural goods exports on domestic consumer goods exports. Research design, data and methodology: Based on the Gravity Model, we analyzed the effects of domestic film, publishing, music, broadcasting, clothing, cosmetics, processed food, IT products, and automobiles on the export of consumer goods. Results: The empirical analysis estimated the trade creation effect of exports of cultural products driving exports of consumer goods and found that a 1% increase in exports of cultural products increased 0.136% in exports of consumer goods. Conclusions: The average rate of change in consumer goods exports due to changes in cultural product exports was 22.44, which could be interpreted as an increase of $2,244 in exports of consumer goods such as IT products, cosmetics, clothing, and processed foods. According to the analysis of export-driven effects of each consumer item by dividing cultural products by sector, the effects of export of processed foods, clothing, cosmetics, IT products, and film, music, publishing exports were statistically significant.