Economics Through Korean Culture

Have you ever wondered what economic laws drive a global BTS sing-along, or why there are more fried chicken shops in Korea than McDonald's worldwide?

Economics Through Korean Culture is a 58-page, student-friendly guide that explores core economic principles—such as Metcalfe's Law, the Long Tail, and Information Asymmetry—through the lens of K-Pop, K-Dramas, Webtoons, and Gaming. I wrote this book to make learning economics accessible, data-driven, and engaging for teens. You can download and read the full Enhanced Edition completely for free!

Econ Book link

What's Inside the Book?

Discover how BTS and global fan communities demonstrate Metcalfe's Law and the power of network externalities.

: 📺 The Squid Game ROI

Learn the secrets of 'Content Arbitrage' and how a $21 million production budget created a billion-dollar hit.

🍗 The Fried Chicken Market

Understand monopolistic competition and product differentiation through Korea's 87,000 competitive chicken shops.

🎮 Gaming & Lock-In

Explore the hidden switching costs, the IKEA effect, and behavioral economics that keep players in virtual worlds.

Why I Wrote This Book

As a student passionate about data and economics, I noticed a gap between complex textbook theories and the vibrant world we live in. I created Economics Through Korean Culture to prove that learning economics doesn't have to be boring. It is the hidden framework behind the K-Pop we stream, the games we play, and the shows we binge. My hope is that this book helps readers see our everyday culture through a new, analytical lens.

Sneak Peek: Chapter 1

"Listening alone is just music; singing together is a movement. When fans unite, the economic value of the network doesn't just add up—it multiplies." (On BTS & Metcalfe's Law)