The Role of Social Media in Improving College Students' Cross-Cultural Identity and Cultural Integration: A Case Study of K-pop

In the context of globalization, the issue of intercultural identity and cultural integration of college students has attracted much attention, which is of great significance for cultivating international talents. However, the existing research still has some problems in deepening the study on improving the intercultural ability of college students with the help of emerging media and popular culture. This article focuses on social media, using K-pop as a starting point to delve into its role in fostering cross-cultural identity and cultural integration among college students. Through surveys, interviews, and data analysis, it is found that social media transcends time and space barriers, making it convenient for college students to access K-pop culture. College students can not only appreciate the works but also gain deeper insights into Korean culture through interaction. Based on the research findings, this paper proposes: universities should recognize the value of social media in cross-cultural education and offer relevant courses to guide students in its proper use; educational departments can collaborate with platforms to create high-quality cross-cultural exchange sections; the popular cultural industry should seize opportunities to produce more content beneficial for cultural exchange. Through collaborative efforts from all parties, it aims to comprehensively enhance college students' cross-cultural competence.