across the United States.The Modern Language Association saysthe number of U.S. college studentstaking a Korean language classrose by almost 45% between 2009 and 2013.The group notes that the increase comes at a timewhen the number of college studentstaking foreign language classes has declined.This is K-pop -- Korean popular music.Many people around the world like the sound of K-pop."They do a lot of dancing, yes. And it's more upbeat.""I think it's fun. I'm a little surprisedthat it's caught on to the rest of the world."People can listen to K-pop music, and watch K-pop videosand Korean drama programs on websites like YouTube.David Schaberg is Dean of Humanitiesat the University of California, Los Angeles.He also serves as a professorin UCLA's Department of Asian Languages & Cultures,where students can study Korean."As a dean of humanities,to look at a country that's creating its reputation globallythrough cultural production, that's very exciting.Of course, it attracts students.Of course, it means more Americanswho may have had nothing at all to do with Koreawill now be gravitating to the study of Korean language and culture."Rosemary Feal has worked as the executive directorof The Modern Language Association since 2002.She spoke to VOA on Skype."Many students say they really want to get inside the cultureand they want a better understanding, and so clearlylanguage gives us access into culture and cultural expression."Persida Radu is learning Korean.Like many others, her interest in the language started with music."I actually first got into Korean popand then the dramas they show, and then learning it."Ms. Feal says there is another reasonfor the popularity of Korean language studies.She notes that children of Korean immigrantswant to speak to their parents and grandparents in Korean."We know there is a correlation between the immigration patternsand the new generations wanting to learn a family language."She is describing people like John Park.He is taking a special class for ethnic Koreans.The class is designed for those who may speak a little Korean,but not enough to talk with older family memberswho may not speak English."I don't speak Korean too well,and of course I want to communicate with my parents, my grandparents,and so I took it to learn how to read and write more effectively."Professor Sung-Ock Sohn teaches Korean classes at UCLA.She says another reason people want to learn the languageis the growing economic power of South Korea.Professor Schaberg says the popularity of Korean language trainingis 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. studentstaking Korean language classes shows no sign of ending anytime soon.Their reasons: the popularity of K-popand the rising number of Korean-Americansseeking to re-connect with older family members..