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Food Festival

KARA SF Values

FROM KOREAN WAVE TO KOREAN WEAVE

Korean waves are everywhere—but are they just fleeting audiovisual trends, or could they weave a new tapestry of cultural unity and economic growth for Korea and the US?

 

 

KOREAN WAVE

The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a cultural hub for Korean arts and education in the U.S., now expanding rapidly and attracting new fans across regions, transforming into a dynamic and influential market.

Global Soft Power Rankings (International Monetary Fund, 2021)

    1. South Korea
    2. Japan
    3. Germany
    4. China
    5. Italy

A Global Cultural Phenomenon with Over 225 Million Fans
As of December 2023, the Korean Wave has reached 119 countries, with Hallyu fandom expanding to over 225 million people globally, according to a 2024 report by the Korea Foundation (KF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Projected Economic Impact of K-Culture by 2030
TikTok forecasts that spending on K-culture will double to $143 billion by 2030, highlighting the anticipated growth of the Korean Wave's economic influence (Bloomberg, July 14, 2024).

The Korean Wave: Expanding Globally Through Digital Platforms
Dominating audiovisual media, the Korean Wave is poised for boundless growth, reaching diverse regions and cultures through powerful internet-driven platforms.

The Future of Hallyu: Rising Leaders in the Workforce
A new generation of Hallyu fans is set to join the workforce and take on leadership roles, poised to deepen the Korean Wave’s global impact.

San Francisco: A Leader in U.S. Hallyu Culture
San Francisco drives the Korean Wave in the U.S., with UC Berkeley’s Korean studies program and the Asian Art Museum’s Chong-Moon Lee Center highlighting profound cultural ties.

Concert Crowd
Image by Denys Nevozhai

SAN FRANCISCO

The San Francisco Bay Area is the epicenter of technological innovation and entrepreneurial ventures, driving human civilization forward. As a global financial hub and home to the world’s wealthiest, it plays a vital role in propelling U.S. economic growth.

Top 50 Cities for Venture Capital Deals (Center for American Entrepreneurship, 2015-2017)

    1. San Francisco
    2. New York
    3. London
    4. San Jose
    5. Boston

Tech Talent Scorecard Ranking (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis, 2024)

    1. San Francisco Bay Area
    2. Seattle
    3. New York Metro
    4. Toronto
    5. Austin

Global Startup Ecosystem Index (StartupBlink, 2024)

    1. San Francisco Bay Area
    2. New York
    3. London
    4. Los Angeles Area
    5. Boston Area

Global Financial Centres Index (2024)

    1. New York
    2. London
    3. Hong Kong
    4. Singapore
    5. San Francisco

Top 10 U.S. Metros for GDP Growth (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2020-2023)

    1. Dallas
    2. San Francisco
    3. Houston
    4. Boston
    5. Washington, D.C.

The World’s Wealthiest Cities (Henley Cities Report, 2024)

    1. New York
    2. Bay Area, California
    3. Tokyo
    4. Singapore
    5. London

LOCAL COMMUNITY

Celebrated for its world-class culinary scene and premier dining network, the region is a leader in higher education, the arts, and the appreciation of Asian culture in the U.S.

Top 5 Cities Worldwide for Michelin-Starred Restaurants (2023)

    1. Tokyo
    2. Paris
    3. Osaka
    4. New York
    5. San Francisco

Top U.S. Food Destinations (Datassential, 2023)

    1. San Francisco
    2. Los Angeles
    3. Miami
    4. Washington, D.C.
    5. San Diego

Top Arts-Vibrant Communities in the U.S. (SMU DataArts, 2023)

    1. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City
    2. New York-Jersey City-White Plains
    3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
    4. Boston
    5. Philadelphia

Best Global Universities Rankings (U.S. News & World Report, 2024-2025)

    1. Harvard University
    2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
    3. Stanford University
    4. University of Oxford
    5. University of California, Berkeley

San Francisco

KARA SF

A seasoned culinary leader rooted in San Francisco’s vibrant dining scene,

KARA SF brings forward-looking expertise and a unique perspective as an immigrant entrepreneur.

Bridging the richness of Korean culture with the economic vitality of the U.S.,

KARA SF is redefining cross-cultural culinary experiences.

Image by Vladyslav Tobolenko

Partner with Us

Feeling inspired? If our passion resonates with your vision, let’s create something remarkable together. Get in touch!

Thanks for submitting!

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Address: 1549 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Phone: (415) 528-8798

Instagram: @kara_san_francisco

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Copyright © 2024 Korean American Restaurant Association of San Francisco

Korean American Restaurant Association of San Francisco is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

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