I feel like introducing myself will explain the purpose of this article as well as that of the ones to follow from here on out.

My name is Kristina Chang (it's actually supposed to be "Jang"), and as the sub-heading says, I am Korean-American. Having been born and raised in suburban Connecticut, it wasn't until middle school that I made more of an effort to connect with my Korean culture. I could speak the language fairly well, but I struggled with reading and writing. What saved me was a plethora of Korean dramas, variety shows and, of course, K-Pop music. (Feel free to cringe now. I promise I won't be offended!) I've been an avid fan of all three since then. In fact, I'm still helplessly obsessed.

Now, a little more detail on this so-called "Hallyu" Wave. The phrase itself describes Korean popular culture and entertainment making its way into various parts of the world. With the Internet being the dominant method of long-distance communication, it's no wonder that thousands upon thousands of individuals have been connected and tuned in. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the centers for prime time fan-to-fan and celebrity-to-fan interaction. From fawning over the latest guy and girl groups to live streaming the most recent episode of the hottest K-Drama to conversing with the superstars themselves, any and all things can be achieved through the world of social media. Needless to say, it's amazing to witness everything unfold before my very eyes.

And yet, Korean pop culture is a double-edged sword. With all of these great things comes the negatives: Anti-fan, netizen, and "sasaeng" fan culture. The behind-the-scenes reality of entertainment companies and the industry they've created. Internet scandals and the harsh backlash that follows. There are numerous facets to the "Hallyu" Wave, many of which act as its driving force, but nothing in life comes for free.

I've met all kinds of people over the past few years: the good, the bad and the questionably weird or off-putting. I'll be collecting stories from Korean news and comments from the fans themselves (Koreans and foreigners alike), so there will be a diverse collection of opinions mixed in with my own. Some pieces will talk about general information while others will focus on specific topics or controversial issues. In short, this series will explore the multiple characteristics of this cultural wave and the results that come with it.

I'm definitely not an expert on this subject as my viewpoint is influenced by a fusion of American and Korean culture. There is a lot that I don't know as well. But I plan to learn new things and to successfully present such findings in a professional, open-minded manner.

More than anything, I hope that my words will be heard with open ears.