This kid just looks naive from the get go. She's never been to Korea and yet she thinks she knows what it is going to be like. I would advise her to move to Korea for a year or two and see how she really like the "culture" here. She might change her mind after awhile. I mean the fact that she'll always be an outsider might open her eyes. She is one of those, like the SE Asians, who gets blinded by the mythical depiction of Korea through movies and songs. Once she gets here, the words rolling off of her tongue might be a little different.
Korean is spoken in 1 country in the world(well, 2, if you count North Korea, but they barely qualify). Other than a few pockets of Koreatowns, nope, it is has little value. If you want to learn an Asian language, Chinese is the way to go. Korea will never be big enough to qualify as relevant. As far as the "culture" catching on in the west, exactly what of the culture will catch on? You mean a few 1980's style pop songs? 99% of K-pop is consumed by Asians because the fantasy appeals to them. Such a thing would not appeal to people back home(with the exception of a few misguided souls like the kid in the article). There are Japanophiles because Japan is a bit quirky and comes up with some decent things. It is appealing. Korea comes across as exclusionary(anyone living here for a significant amount of time will agree) and will never really hold the mass appeal that Japan has. They simply can't compare.
