The Korean In Television.

The Korean Wave In Television.
Korean Soap Opera Grabs 3 Million Viewers in Hong Kong
‘Dae Jang-geum’ – “Jewel in the Palace”or”Jewel”- in The Korean/Chinese title for a South Korean costume-drama series that portrays the life story of the only female physician ever to assist a Korean emperor.
The shoe drew a record-breaking 3 million viewers—nearly half of Hong Kong’s official population of 6.7 million –for its final episode on TVB Jade. Children ran around dressed in Korean costumes and travel agencies launched ‘Dae Jang-geum Tours’ which offered tours of the shooting locations throughout South Korea.

Korean Soaps Win Love From China
When Hunan Satellite TV broadcast ‘Jewel in The Palace’ in 31 cities across China, 163 million viewers tuned in it watch the series. Top Chinese broadcaster CCTV aired ‘Be Strong, Gum-Soon’ and Hubei TV presented ‘Damo’. The soaring popularity of Korean dramas in China is underscored by the fact that 80% of some TV stations’ revenue were derived from Korean dramas. DVD sales of the series jumped enormously after Hunan Satellite TV aired the last episode of ‘Jewel in the Palace’

Chinese radio and TV-specials, such as ‘Night if Jewel in the Palace’, spotlight the ‘Jewel in the Palace’ series. The show’s theme song was translated info Mandarin and preformed by the most popular
Chinese singers. Finally, stage plays and an animation series based on the drama are soon to be released.

Popularity of Korean Soap Operas Drives
Boom in Tourism and Related Services

The popularity of Korean dramas has created a regional boom in ‘Han Ryu’-related tourism products and services. 500,000 tourists visited Korea for special sightseeing tours of studio sets and locations where the dramas were shot. Tourism generated revenues of over 300 billion won. Licenses have been sold for about 1,300 ‘Jewel in the Palace’-related consumer products and merchandise.
Over 20 different drama series are now distributed in Japan, Chinese speaking territories, and throughout Southeast Asia and spreading as far as the Middle East and Africa.

Korean Soap Opera Fever In Japan and a Thailand

‘Winter Sonata; has conquered Japan—especially among married women in their 40’s and 50’s. The drama’s soundtrack sold 1.2 million copies and the revenue from DVD and print publishing sales passes 200 billion won The lead actor, Youg – Joon Bae earned the nickname of ‘Yon Sa Ma’ of Emperor Yon and the lead actress Ji-Woo Choi earned the name of ‘Ji Woo Hi Mae’ of Princess Hi Woo. Another Korean soap star, Won bin, in highly revered in Thailand where his series, ‘ Autumn in My Heart’,has become a nationwide hit. With his flourishing celebrity in Thailand, there is huge demand in the country for Won Bin’s other films, such as ‘Tae Guk Fi’ (2004) and ‘Gun & Talk’(2001)

by Kocca.or.kr