Culture as a Silent Weapon: How a Song, a Film or a Plate of Food Can Change the Way We See a Country

More Than Just Entertainment

Have you ever heard a song that made you want to visit another country? Maybe a K-pop song introduced you to South Korea, an anime made you curious about Japan, or a video about Italian food made you want to try making pasta. But have you ever stopped to wonder why culture can make us feel so connected to a country we have never even visited?

Culture might seem harmless: music, films, food, fashion and sport are things we enjoy every day. Yet behind the entertainment, culture can have a surprisingly powerful influence. Countries can use their culture to shape how people around the world see them, build international relationships and attract tourists. This is known as cultural diplomacy, and it is an important part of what is called soft power.

What Is Cultural Diplomacy?

Cultural diplomacy is when countries use cultural activities and exchanges to build understanding and positive relationships with people in other countries. Instead of trying to influence others through force, governments can promote their language, traditions, art, entertainment and way of life.

Why would a country want to do this? The answer is simple: being liked can be powerful.

If people have a positive opinion of a country, they may become more interested in visiting it, studying there, buying its products or learning its language. Cultural connections can also make international relationships feel less distant.

For example, a person might know very little about South Korea before discovering K-pop or Korean dramas. Suddenly, they may become interested in Korean food, language, fashion and history. One song or television show can therefore create curiosity about an entire country.

Soft Power: Winning Without Force

This is where the idea of soft power comes in. Soft power is the ability of a country to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than military force or financial pressure.

Think about it this way: military power can make another country listen because it is afraid of the consequences. Economic power can make a country listen because it needs something. But what if people simply want to listen because they admire your culture?

That is the strength of soft power.

Music, films, sport and food may not seem connected to international politics, but they can help create a favourable image of a country. A popular culture can make a nation seem exciting, creative, modern or welcoming.

When Music Becomes a Global Influence

South Korea is one of the clearest examples of culture becoming a source of international influence. K-pop groups have developed enormous international audiences, while Korean dramas have become popular among viewers far beyond East Asia.

The popularity of Korean entertainment has encouraged people around the world to explore other parts of Korean culture. Fans may learn Korean phrases, try Korean food, follow Korean fashion trends or become interested in visiting Seoul.

Japan has experienced something similar through anime, manga and video games. Japanese popular culture has created a strong international identity that is recognisable to millions of young people. Even someone who has never visited Japan may recognise aspects of Japanese culture because they have encountered them through entertainment.

Food, Fashion and Football: Culture Is Everywhere

Culture isn't limited to screens and headphones. Food can be just as influential. Italian cuisine is recognised across the world, from pizza and pasta to gelato and espresso. Italian fashion has also helped create an image of Italy associated with creativity, luxury and style.

Sport can have a similar effect. Major sporting events give countries opportunities to present themselves to international audiences. The Olympic Games and football tournaments, for example, can bring millions of viewers into contact with a country's cities, traditions and people.

Why might someone who watches a sporting event suddenly want to visit the country hosting it? Because culture can create an emotional connection before someone ever sets foot there.

From Culture to Tourism

This connection between culture and tourism is particularly important. People often travel somewhere because they have developed an interest in its culture first.

A person might visit Japan because they love anime. Someone might travel to South Korea after becoming interested in K-pop or Korean dramas. Another person might dream of visiting Italy because of its food, architecture and fashion.

This creates a cycle: culture creates interest, interest encourages tourism, and tourism creates even more cultural exchange. Tourists then experience a country directly, meet its people and bring parts of that experience home with them. In this way, culture can become a bridge between countries.

From Culture to Tourism

This connection between culture and tourism is particularly important. People often travel somewhere because they have developed an interest in its culture first.

A person might visit Japan because they love anime. Someone might travel to South Korea after becoming interested in K-pop or Korean dramas. Another person might dream of visiting Italy because of its food, architecture and fashion.

This creates a cycle: culture creates interest, interest encourages tourism, and tourism creates even more cultural exchange. Tourists then experience a country directly, meet its people and bring parts of that experience home with them. In this way, culture can become a bridge between countries.

But Is Culture Always Innocent?

However, there is another side to cultural diplomacy. If countries can use culture to improve their image, could they also use it to distract people from less positive issues?

A country might promote beautiful scenery, popular music or impressive technology while international attention is focused elsewhere. This does not automatically mean that cultural promotion is dishonest, but it is important to remain critical.

Enjoying a country's films or food does not mean we have to agree with everything its government does. Similarly, recognising problems within a country does not mean we should reject its entire culture.

Can we appreciate a culture while still questioning the actions of its government? Absolutely.

This distinction matters because people and governments are not the same thing. Millions of ordinary people do not control their country's foreign policy, and they should not automatically be judged by it.

Social Media Changes Everything

Social media has made cultural diplomacy even more powerful. In the past, a country largely depended on television, newspapers and official campaigns to present itself internationally. Today, anyone with a phone can introduce millions of people to their culture.

A dance trend can make a song famous across the world. A food video can turn an unfamiliar dish into the next big trend. A travel creator can make an entire city look irresistible.

And perhaps most importantly, it doesn't always feel like advertising.

When a teenager discovers a Korean song through TikTok or watches an anime recommended by a friend, they are not necessarily thinking about international relations. They're simply enjoying something. Yet that experience can still influence their perception of the country where it came from.

The Silent Power of Culture

Culture may not look like a weapon. It doesn't make noise, threaten anyone or appear on a battlefield. Yet it can influence opinions in ways that are surprisingly powerful.

A song can make us curious. A film can challenge a stereotype. Food can introduce us to a tradition. Sport can bring people together. A language can connect strangers.

These experiences can gradually change how we see an entire country.

So, the next time a song, film, food trend or sporting event makes you interested in another part of the world, ask yourself: Is this just entertainment, or is it also shaping the way I see a country?

Perhaps the most powerful form of international influence isn't making people afraid of you. Perhaps it is giving them a reason to want to understand you..

Author: Olivia Yu
Editor & Publisher: Lucía Lobato

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