K-Pop and artistic ripples through films and other forms of entertainment from South Korea have been conquering the world in recent years, as part of soft power and smart power. Called Hallyu or the Korean Wave, this phenomenon is looked upon with envy by other countries aspiring to empower their image through the arts. As Thai policymakers and entertainment industry leaders seek to tap into this process, what are key lessons to be learned from the Korean Wave? And does Thailand enjoy a comparative advantage for artistic empowerment on some fronts? In essence, K-Pop is associated with groups o…