South Korea's internationally lauded movies, popular TV shows and the global phenomenon known as K-pop have all helped to radically transform the way people think about the country, going beyond just cool to become a leader in soft power. Its success has drawn the attention of other world leaders, including — in what is something of a head-scratcher — Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan visited Seoul in early June, and after holding talks with South Korean Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon, he also met with the leaders of CJENM and SM Entertainment — two of South Korea’s biggest culture-exporting companies.