Korean wave, also known as Hallyu or Hanryu, refers to the popularity of South Korean popular culture in other Asian countries. The term was coined in China in 2001. The most visible beneficiaries of Korean wave have been Korean TV dramas such as Winter Sonata in Japan, which have gained enormous followings across East and Southeast Asia. However, the phenomenon has also boosted the popularity of Korean movies and popular music. The South Korean government has taken an active role in spreading Korean wave, by subsidizing broadcasts of Korean dramas in South and Southeast Asian countries.