The last years have really seen the youths in Bangladesh being influenced by the Western and Korean cultures mainly through music, dramas, and series. Globalization allied with the rapid growth of digital platforms brought about a new scenario wherein entertainments across the globe reached our fingertips to reshape the way young Bangladeshi people perceive culture and media. This has resulted in a number of positive and negative impacts on the youngsters, thus causing tectonic shifts in tastes, values, and identities of the young generation. Although the Western and Korean influence opens up new avenues for creative exploration and personal growth, it also threatens the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh.
One of the biggest influences of Western and Korean entertainments on Bangladeshi youths is that it opened up their horizons. Music, movies, dramas expose them to various ideologies, ways of life, and values that may be hard to find in their immediate surroundings. K-pop, for example, has deeply influenced Bangladeshi youths with its melodious music, energetic dancing, and lyrical words depicting perseverance and self-confidence. Bands like Seventeen, BTS, TXT, Enhypen and others whose songs often talk about self-empowerment and mental health, offer a source of inspiration to those who are struggling emotionally or mentally.
K-dramas and Western series also form a very important part in the shaping of the younger generation's mindset. Popular Korean dramas, like Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class, project love, resilience, and social justice through their storylines, such as class disparities or personal struggles, to which many young Bangladeshis can relate. On the other side, Western series-mainly those from Hollywood and Netflix-introduce complicated characters, innovative storytelling, and critical social issues, from racial injustice to mental health awareness. These stories will broaden the outlook of Bangladeshi youth, give them compassionate attitudes toward people from other countries, and deepen their perception of different global problems.
Another positive feature of foreign cultural influence is that it provides an avenue for creative inspiration and self-expression. With the recent rise in YouTube, Instagram, and other social media platforms, many young Bangladeshis have been able to experiment with their talents in music, dance, and fashion. K-pop cover dances, makeup tutorials with inspirations from Korean and Western celebrities, and vlogs melding local and global content-all these are indicative features of how youth creatively engage these foreign influences.
As much as this influence does its magic in bringing people closer, the challenges it poses cannot be totally avoided. One of the most controversial effects is the impact that Western and Korean cultures have caused on Bangladeshi cultural identity. This will occur when the youth seek their entertainment in K-pop, Hollywood films, and Korean dramas rather than in their own culture. The songs, stories, and traditions that once identified Bangladesh are in danger of fading away in the wake of these foreign influences.
Another sharp evidence of this change can be derived from the fact that Bangladeshi cinema has lost its attraction among the young generation. Since the last few decades, Bangladeshi cinema has failed to draw the attention of the young people. Except for a few Bangla movies, which are really good, all others are believed by many to be below standard in terms of storyline, production, or acting. These are the reasons why youngsters do not prefer to watch third-class productions around them and surf high-quality ones made either in South Korea or in Hollywood. This is far from the generations that always found some substance and reason to enjoy Bangla cinema.
Despite this fact, Bangla dramas, especially TV serials, still keep their audience in Bangladesh. The plot being relatable and the strong family values associated with such dramas still keep them in the heart of many. They reflect social and cultural realities of the nation at large-romance, family, and societal issues that bestow identification with the people. But amidst their successful run, they equally suffer from the stiff competition spurred by the storm of Korean and Western dramas dominating online streaming services.
Musically, although many young Bangladeshis enjoy the Bangla song, particularly traditional or folk ones, the upsurge of K-pop and Western music has drawn their attention. Catchy melodies, dazzling choreography, and energizing music videos by K-pop are an attractive alternative for Bangla music. Interest in both Korean and Western music is growing, and this growth ultimately threatens the dominance of local Bangla artists by causing more youth to identify with international genres of music than with their own heritage.
The rise of global entertainment has been an urgent challenge for the young generation concerning how they both open to foreign influences and, simultaneously, protect their cultural identity. Bangladeshi youths stand on a cultural crossroads where they consume content from all over the world but struggle to find content representing their own life, stories, and struggles in a meaningful way.
While they may be in awe of the polished production values of Korean dramas and the uplifting lyrics of K-pop songs, many young people realize that these foreign cultures are not always reflective of their realities. Cultural disconnection can therefore be had when one indulges in foreign media, hence leading to some fragmented notion of identity.
The decline in popularity of Bangla cinema shows this more clearly. Many young Bangladeshis believe that the modern Bangladeshi movie lacks the relevance or appeal which they seek. Thus, they seldom like to watch today's Bangla movies and instead seek emotional depth and aesthetic quality from foreign films. However, it should be underlined that not all the local productions are ignored—Bangla dramas, in turn, are still watched by many for their realistic depiction of Bangladeshi life.
The balance would resolve this cultural dilemma. As much as it is not unwarranted and very positive to be aligned with foreign culture, the younger generation should have a bonding with their roots. This is a responsibility that must be borne not only by the youth themselves but also the Bangladeshi media and the world of entertainment. Meaningful, high-quality film, music, and dramas that are representative of Bangladesh's rich and diverse culture should, therefore, be produced.
The rise of global entertainment should be seen as an opportunity for innovation, adaptation, and the thriving creative industries of Bangladeshi origin. By mixing the traditional Bangla flavor with modern storytelling and production values, the local content creators can attract the attention of the young generation without losing the real essence of Bangladeshi culture.
Therefore, while Western and Korean cultural influences have made deep-rooted effects on the young generation of Bangladesh, it is important that they do not lose track of their own culture.
By striking a balance between global exposure and pride toward their own locality, the young people will be able to have a taste of the best of both worlds and appreciate their identities even more amidst a rapidly globalising world.
Sheikh Mehzabin Chitra is a University Correspondent of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh Post, and a final year honours student of the Anthropology Department of the institution.
