[Korea.net News, Society, January 20 2008] More people abroad learning Korean

"Winter Sonata." "Jewel in the Palace." Sound familiar? Not for Asian viewers who enjoy watching Korean TV dramas.

Korean movies, dramas, animation and pop music have grown in popularity overseas, fueling the so-called "hallyu," or the "Korean Wave." The country's advanced economy and technology are also prompting more international students to learn Korean and seek a better understanding of Korean culture and society.

Last year, the number of students enrolled at Korean-language centers and schools overseas jumped 128 percent from 1,693 in 2006 to 3,854, according to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.