Hallyu, or the “Korean Wave,” refers to the global spread of South Korean culture through mediums like Korean music, Korean drama, Korean reality shows, and Korean beauty. The spread of Hallyu was made possible by famous people referred to as Hallyu Stars.

Leading the global interest in Korean culture, Korean reality shows, music,  dramas, and movies, have garnered dedicated fan bases across continents, including Africa. As Hallyu seeped its way into Africa, African fans met with one limitation; lack of opportunities to physically interact with their favourite stars. They have had to make do with virtual concerts while hoping for tours and fan signing events in their home countries.

The limitation faced by African fans may be as a result of lack of opportunities for the hallyu stars to perform in Africa; most probably due to the lack of direct and indirect exposure to Africa and her people. However, thanks to Korean-themed events and reality shows that expanded their itineraries to include Africa like hello f(x) and the seven tasters, some have had weeks of experience and exposure to East African Culture; including impromptu fan signing events.

Here are nine Hallyu stars who have been to East Africa:

f(x)

South Korean girl group, f(x) was formed by SM Entertainment, and is made up of Victoria, Amber, Luna, and Krystal. The quartet was originally a five-member group and debuted in 2009, with Sulli, and the single “La Cha Ta.”

After their debut in 2009, the group visited Kenya,  to shoot their reality show Hello f(x), which aired in 2010. The travelogue show was made up of two parts; a photoshoot to enable the girls understand the African Project by Kim Joong Man, and a soccer game to enable the girls to interact and bond with the community members. When they visited Maasai village, Luna remarked, “I really like it here,” while Victoria expressed her excitement over the beautiful outfits they were wearing for the shoot.

Eric Nam

Eric Nam is a Korean-American singer, songwriter, TV personality, and one of Korea’s best-selling artists, who debuted solo in 2013. He has hosted several shows including Arirang TV’s After School Club and MBC’s Section TV Entertainment Relay. He also hosts the Korean Music podcast, Daebak Show w/ Eric Nam, which won Apple Podcasts Best Listens of 2019.

In 2019, Eric traveled to Uganda for a volunteer mission to help children particularly in the contexts of education, healthcare and child protection. He shared his experience with his audience on social media with pictures. An interview with an online magazine (Mr. Porter) revealed that he had also been involved in a fundraising charity show in Uganda. 

Key (SHINee)

Kim Ki-Bum (Key), is a singer and TV personality who debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band SHINee in 2008. He also debuted as a soloist in November 2018 with the digital single “Forever Yours”. He is recognized for his philanthropic contributions through organizations like World Vision, and UNICEF.

In May 2014, he traveled to Ethiopia for the variety show 7 Hungry House Guests, also known as Seven Tasters. He joined announcer Kim Kyung Ran; actors Shin Sung Woo, and Lee Young Ah; comedians Kim Kyung Shik, Seo Kyung Suk, and Son Hyun Soo in touring the world to discover tastiest cuisines and restaurants. While spending nine nights and ten days in Ethiopia, he tasted different foods and had an impromptu fan signing event with the fans that came out to greet him.

N.Flying

N.Flying (New Flying), is a five-member South Korean rap rock band formed by FNC Entertainment in 2013. The band initially debuted as a quartet  in  May 2015 with the EP – Awesome.

Following their debut, N.flying got an invitation to perform in a K-Culture in Nairobi concert. This event was arranged during the tenure and visit of the South Korean President Park Geun-Hye to Kenya. Honoring the invitation, N.Flying left for Nairobi, Kenya, and the group performed solo on 31st May, 2016. As reported by Yonhap News, N.Flying also danced with the Maasai dance troupe to the Korean song Gangnam Style by PSY.

Han Hye Jin

South Korean actress and TV host, Han Hye Jin made her debut in 2005 with the Korean TV series Be strong, Geum-soon! She is also known for her lead role in the historical series Jumong (2006). She hosted the popular talk show Healing camp, and won the SBS Entertainment Awards for the Best New MC, Talk Show Category.

In 2012, Han visited Tanzania with World Vision and KBS Hope Road Team to help with challenges faced by the residents, especially water scarcity and environmental concerns. She learned that people walked for five hours to get clean water due to the drought and famine then. As her contribution, she personally funded the construction of a water well in a village. Together with the children, she planted 500 tree saplings to support the environmental initiative. The trip was documented for the Road for Hope show, aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged communities around the world.

Park Shin Hye

Park Shin Hye debuted in the Korean entertainment industry as a child actress in 2003, with the television series Stairway to Heaven. She is also known for her roles in The Heirs (2013), Doctors (2016), and The Judge from Hell (2024). With her initiative Starlight Angel Project and S.A.L.T. Entertainment Agency, she has been involved in charity projects including the Lovely Hand Campaign, organized by Lotte Department Store.

Park visited Kenya (and Botswana) for fifteen days with her fellow presenters and a team of volunteers from MBC in August 2019. While participating as a presenter, she assisted activists of Elephants Without Borders in caring for elephants. Her experience was featured in the MBC’s 58th anniversary special documentary Humanimal. The documentary contained the epic of life, death, and coexistence of humans and animals. It was aired in January 2020.

“When I saw the poached elephants, I thought; how cruel people could be. It was an unforgettable August”, Park said while recalling the filming site, at the production conference on January 6th, 2020.

Moon Geun Young

Moon Geun Young, known as the Nation’s Little Sister, is a South Korean actress that made her acting debut in 1999. She rose to stardom with her role in Autumn in my heart (2000). She is also known for having a solid attendance record in college, and her humanitarian records since 2005.

In April 2016, Moon traveled to Malawi for a volunteer mission with the NGO Good Neighbors to help improve the health conditions of mothers and children in the area. She shared her thoughts on Instagram, expressing her gratitude and reflecting on her experience. She also acknowledged her initial discomfort with the public attention garnered through her volunteer works. Her statements were shared by media outlets like Newsen. Additionally, Moon Geun Young International Fan Club (MGYIFC) organized a donation event based on her visit, to support the Malawi School of Hope project.

Yoo Yeon Seok

Ahn Yeon Seok, known as Yoo Yeon Seok, debuted in 2003 under the agency King Kong by Starship, with the film Oldboy. The 40-year old South Korean stage actor resumed acting in 2008 and became popular with notable works. They include; A Werewolf Boy (2012), Reply 1994 (2013), and Hospital Playlist (2020). He is the author of the Book “Yoo Yeon Seok’s Dream” published by PaperBook.

Yoo left for Nono, Ethiopia, with World Vision in February 2014, for a long-time planned volunteer work. He specially assisted with the improvement of classrooms and creating an environment to support the students’ dreams. When he returned, he authored Yoo Yeon Seok’s Dream, and donated profits from its publication to World Vision for their education campaign in Ethiopia. With the photos he had taken, he held a photo exhibition and donated his profits. The donation was used for children at Kuravitimo School, in Nono, Ethiopia, that the NGO had been supporting. Yoo also sponsored the supply of solar panels, desks, textbooks, shoes and uniforms.

Junho (2PM)

Lee Jun-ho (Junho), is an actor, singer, and member of second generation South Korean boy band 2PM, under JYP Entertainment. Lee is known for his roles in Rain or Shine (2017-2018) and King the Land (2023). His performance in The Red Sleeve (2021) earned him the Best Actor Award – Television. He is also widely recognized for his active participation in charity events and volunteer works, especially with NGO World Vision International. This recognition earned him an Honorary Ambassadorship from the NGO in 2012. Between 2010 to 2011, Junho secretly sponsored a child in Africa through World Vision.

In January 2012, he visited Ethiopia with World Vision for a volunteer service and the EBS Global Project Program “Sharing”. During his visit, he met Felmeta—the child he was sponsoring. He also used his talent to give love to people by singing and dancing for their enjoyment. The first episode of “Sharing” which featured Junho, aired on February 27th, 2012. Felmeta reunited with Junho at the 2018 6k for Water run in Seoul, South Korea.

Which Hallyu star should visit East Africa next?