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How Ilona Maher and the Korean Wave are taking rugby to new, unlikely places

The article from ESPN discusses the growing influence of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, on rugby, particularly through the story of Ilona Maher, an American rugby player who has embraced Korean culture. Maher, who has a significant following on social media, uses her platform to showcase her love for K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean beauty products, thereby attracting a new demographic to rugby. Her engagement with Korean culture has not only helped her connect with fans but also reflects a broader trend where cultural phenomena like K-pop are making rugby more accessible and appealing to diverse audiences. This cultural crossover is seen as a way to expand the sport's reach into new and unlikely places, leveraging the global popularity of Korean entertainment to foster interest in rugby.

Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/42919898/how-america-ilona-maher-korean-wave-hallyu-taking-rugby-new-unlikely-places ]