A、The number of U.S. college students rose in the last few years. B、People around the world like Korean TV series. C、Children of

Korean language studies are quickly growing in popularity across the United States. The Modern Language Association says the number of U.S. college students taking a Korean language class rose by almost 45% over the last few years. The group notes that the increase comes at a time when the number of college students taking foreign language classes has declined.
    Many people around the world like the sound of K-pop, Korean popular music. Also, the children of Korean immigrants want to speak to their parents and grandparents in Korean.
    Professor Sung-Ock Sohn teaches Korean classes at UCLA. She says another reason people want to learn the language is the growing economic power of South Korea. Professor David Schaberg, Dean of Humanities at the University of California, says the popularity of Korean language training is also affecting American culture. He says it shows that American culture is becoming more Asian, or at least opening up to more Asian influences. Language researchers say the growing number of U.S. students taking Korean language classes shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Their reasons: the popularity of K-pop and the rising number of Korean-Americans seeking to re-connect with older family members.
5. What is K-pop?
6. Why is Korean gaining popularity in the U.S. recently?
7. What does Professor Schaberg think of this phenomenon?