Koreans - Italians of Asia?

Some Koreans have attributed the recent successful conquest of Korean pop culture (T.V., movies, online games, music, etc.) in East Asia (China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and even Uzbekistan!!!) to the Korean "national culture" which is similar to that of Italy:

"Koreans have long described themselves as the "Italians of Asia" - both groups, they say, are peninsula dwellers who thrive on food, family, song and romance. Koreans now feel they are finally getting their due and they are glorying in the chance to edge out their neighbors on the global stage."

For the whole article, go to: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/world/13493220.h tm

This so-called "Korean wave" is indeed quite unprecedented both in nature and in scope, unrivalled even by the previous "Japanese wave" (70's and 80's) or "Hongkong wave" (80's and 90's). It is particularly remarkable in that Korea, sandwiched between two Asian giants China and Japan, had long been regarded as a country of minor importance in the international arena. But things started to change when South Korea started to successfully transform itself from a backward Third-World economy to a country with a near First-World standard of living. The hosting of the Olympics and co-hosting of the World Cup with Japan have further boosted the country's national pride, confidence, and international prestige.

While some critics (Chinese and Japanese) predict that this "Korean wave" won't last, it is still nothing short of remarkable that this former colonical outpost of Japan can make a dent on the cultural landscape of two culturally chauvinistic countries.