철학 한류와 한국 문화

초록

This paper reflects on the past and present of the “Korean Philosophy Wave” and Korean culture, which I regard as the final and culminating phase of the broader Korean Wave. To this end, I examine overseas Korean studies on the philosophies of Bunhwang Wonhyo (617–686) and Bojo Jinul (1158–1210) in Buddhism, as well as Toegye Yi Hwang (1501 1570) and Yulgok Yi I (1536–1584) in Confucianism. The Korean Wave first emerged through K-dramas and cinema. As of 2025, it has gained global momentum, particularly through K-pop. Building on this popularity, the Korean Wave has expanded into K-culture, encompassing Korean cuisine (hansik), traditional attire (hanbok), architecture (hanok), beauty, hiking culture, and even the military industry —marking a clear distinction from the Chinese and Japanese Waves. Having passed through its first, second, and third phases, the Korean Wave is now entering its fourth and final stage: the rise of K-Classic. Nevertheless, I argue that the fourth stage of the Korean Wave—represented by the Korean Literature Wave and Korean History Wave— points toward its ultimate culmination in the Korean Philosophy Wave. By focusing on the present status and future challenges of overseas research on Korean philosophy, particularly regarding the representative thinkers Wonhyo, Jinul, Yi Hwang, and Yi I, this paper investigates the foundations of the Korean Humanities Wave. These philosophers, who pursued both personal enlightenment and the salvation of all beings, can be described as contemplative scholars and theorists who sought universal truth through rigorous self-discipline. In this context, I explore how the Korean Philosophy Wave, associated with these figures, might be expanded and activated as a concrete and practical extension of the broader Korean Wave. For philosophy to ride the tide of the Korean Wave, institutional philosophers must reclaim the original domain of philosophy—once considered the sovereign discipline of all studies—by deepening human understanding and insights into the world. Philosophy should be reconstituted as a discourse grounded in the spirit of the age and historical consciousness, encompassing ethics, aesthetics, religion, and language. Moreover, as a worldview that comprehensively embraces all domains of knowledge, philosophy must aim to grasp the entirety of the world through self-understanding. To further invigorate Korean studies domestically and internationally, the following efforts are essential: A critical examination of potential distortions and novel interpretations in overseas research on Korean philosophy; The establishment of Korean Studies Institutes at private and public universities abroad, along with securing research funding; Institutional support for the translation and study of major works by Korean philosophers to facilitate the spread of Korean studies globally; In-depth analysis of the thought of major Korean philosophers based on solid material and human resources.

키워드