A country that has recently undergone a major
Western civilization transformation into their culture and has thus received a recent major fanbase, as a result. They are representing the Western world in East Asia, very well.
Before the 2010s, nobody in the Western world (even the USA) was talking about K-pop, Samsung and even Korean Anime. Or wanting to buy Hyundai's or Kia's. This recent obsession with Korea has skyrocketed and surpassed Japan. (who dominated the American industry from 1980s-2000s; like Germany. But have now fallen
off the grid.) South Koreans are very smart, humble, educated and efficient people. Everyone agrees: Korea is the next big thing.
The Koreans have finally managed to subdue Japan in terms of East Asian respect and fandom in the West. But Japan no longer in the spotlight has been taken over and overshadowed by Korea and could only hope to improve...(However, it is still considered cool to speak Japanese. Even in Korea.)
It's now finally considered cool to be Korean, at last. Oooooh! Japan must be jealous!
They are also considered one the USA's best friends/allies. (never had conflict with Americans, unlike Japan or China.) South Korea is very America-friendly, just like Poland in Europe and are very
respectful and grateful people. Three good, hard-working friends
around the world:
United States, South Korea and Poland. (And just like Korea with Japan; I would not be surprised if Poland surpasses Germany in the future, as well.)
You have to love the Korean (and other oriental) work ethic. And hey, they are also very family-oriented people, considerate and are not antisocial or barbaric, corrupt, or unnecessarily arrogant like the Chinese.
They also have a very unique language, that is (apparently) unlike any other. And the grammar/syntax is very mind-blowing, consummate and versatile; in it's sheer originality. (A Korean once told me: Speaking Korean in the OSV word order makes you sound very
knowledgeable and self-assured. (i.e. makes you look smart, high class/noble, or like an expert etc.) But that it's way harder and more oblique than SOV. Interestingly, just like other Oriental languages; there are various ways of speaking the language, that will make your
personality/character sound differently. (in essence.) SOV tends to sound informal while OSV tends to be more formal.
We can only hope that South Korea and North Korea can unite in the future as one: Korea !!