It will happen.

East Asia had been seriously ravaged by war only 60-70 years ago. That was only generation or two ago. China, Korea, Japan were all left in war-torn poverty.

Economy comes first. Education comes after. Then nationally sponsored athletic programs follow. And lastly, media.

Nationally sponsored athletic programs usually aim for the "easy" individual sports to get gold in, mostly focus on athletics, not team sports, so i.e. weightlifting, track, swimming, diving, etc. China/Korea/Japan has been dominating certain categories in these sports, not ALL, but don't forget, these countries only joined the Olympics maybe 30 years ago.

As for the media, TV, Music, Movies, it was Hong Kong, they gained some traction, but with the mainland Chinese government taking over, they're trying to kill the culture in HK. I'm American, but my family is from/still are in Hong Kong, so I see firsthand how the media there is being suppressed.

Now, South Korea has exploded onto the scene and got a working formula. Their government sponsored "culture-as-an-export" movement has been on a ROLL. There are more and more Koreans in the media. KPOP is seriously taking over. I've been hit on by so many fucking young koreaboos, it's kind of annoying. It's kind of creepy because I'm 30 but I look 23/24. I get regularly hit on by 20 year old girls with Korean-obsession...

This is all happening as we speak.