How South Korean entertainment became a global phenomenon | About That

From Parasite to Squid Game, South Korean content is dominating the global media landscape. With Netflix announcing a massive $2.5B investment in South Korea, Andrew Chang discusses how the country has developed its media sector, and how it can be used as a diplomatic tool.
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[@ronymazumder5961]

They have generic human emotional story that connects. While Hollywood is busy with superheroes, South Korea is inventive, innovative, unique and choose subject that resonates globally.

[@Diana734]

They are not too sexually graphic and they have great storylines.

[@frankh.5378]

And writing and acting.

[@teleriferchnyfain]

Parasite & Squid Game are NOT what got KDramas popular internationally. I live in Asheville, NC & I’ve been watching KDramas for 12 years lol. Seen over 600 of them! Women being the target audience is the biggest reason they have made such an impact world-wide. Women are THE biggest demographic- & watch more TV than men. We appreciate the South Korean entertainment companies actually recognizing that. Also, BTS has a hell of a lot more to do with the popularity of Korean content than Psy does.

[@dsgcloud6092]

It's annoying when these "experts" talk about the role of the Korean government in Hallyu. Their role is really supportive and minor. It was KZbin that played a much bigger role.

[@user-rf5zr2hp2l]

Looking at his name, he is Chinese-American. He must be trying to disparage Korea somehow. That is Japanese and Chinese.

[@agni772]

TBH, the government not censoring as much as the previous governments did play a big role. Sometimes the biggest help you can give is by staying out.

[@dathunderman4]

Right? We see how big of a role the Chinese government plays in trying to acquire soft power, and it's been an utter failure.

[@MewWolf5]

I'm surprised they got through this entire explanation without uttering the word "hallyu."

[@bryceehret8149]

Also I love how all of the comments are all americans complaining but how bad american movies are I agree korean content has been life saving in this endless content drout

[@janicemoss5818]

Well written...well casted....need I say more?

[@hanselchoae]

Psy’s Gangnam Style was never meant to be exported. It just happened accidentally. The English lyrics have always been part of the pop culture since forever.

[@jugglesolace]

What is this regurgitation? If you think government funding is the biggest part of the solution, your entertainment industry isn’t going anywhere.

[@michaellim4165]

In South Korea, the writers have the most power. Not directors, actors or producers. If the writer doesn't feel like the director, actor or producer is conveying the script well, all of them are axed by the writer.

[@trex1448]

Government had little do with korean pop culture. They funded it once it became a thing but it was popular and long before any government planning. Korean pop culture actually grew bc of government censorship and suppression. It created a tough eenvironment for artists and when the censorship lifted it created a boom in music, movie, TV shows, etc.

[@sgtK0420]

I am Korean and I can not disagree with you more... ㅋㅋ

[@PanthersGotIt]

블랙리스트 만들고 영화제 문닫게하고 지들 정치리스크 덮을라고 연예인 스캔들 터트리면서 존나게 숟가락 올려 ㅅㅂㄴㄷ

[@murderofcrows2179]

its actually the opposite. the removal of censorship and government review, allowed creatives to produce genuine masterpieces like parasite.

[@user-vr3lo4kx7h]

That is wrong. Erotic movies, overseas travel, and professional sports were run by authoritarian governments in the 1980s. It's just that the skills you already have come out naturally over time.

[@user-vr3lo4kx7h]

오래 전 부터 가지고 있던 재능들이 시간이 흐르고 상황이 맞아 지금 발현되는것 일뿐 작가들의 능력 그것을 표현할수있는 물질적 토대 넷플릭스를 통한 공급망 온라인으로 전세계가 시청할수있는 유통구조등등 Talents that have been there for a long time are only being revealed now as time passes and the circumstances are right. The writers' abilities, the material foundation to express them, the supply chain through Netflix, the distribution structure that allows the world to watch it online, etc.

[@NHJDT]

I left korea and people i knew did not have cars and squatted into an outhouse. I returned 40 yrs later to visit and this is a complete different country. Korea powerhouse is real. I am now considered a foreigner here but let me tell you there is soooo many foreign tourists here

[@austinchoi9802]

Freedom of expression has a lot to do with Korean entertainment success. Unfortunately, freedom of expression does not come easily. Many Koreans and members of NATO armed forces had to sacrifice their lives so South Korea could achieve democratic government. In many countries in this world, people are still under authoritarian regimes. Without freedom of expression, there's no economic success. Thank you for covering an interesting aspect of Korea.

[@dl7044]

I do not agree to your analysis at all. By attributing the success to government strategy, you are insulting all the creative minds who focused all their efforts into their work.

[@donyongpark48]

Interested in Korean cultural projects, the government actively established policies and started cultural support projects I want you to know that the government's cultural support project came from the YS regime, The government recognizes that American cultural exports, especially the film industry, are more influential than manufacturing, The government was aware of the influence of the cultural industry.

[@wpl8275]

What SK does is invest in talent. They grow their own talent. You can't do that with just government money. It doesn't work that way. Results come from talent being invested in and developed. Why did Motown hit it big in the 60's? Because the talent was there in Detroit and it was developed. Berry Gordy did that. You can find 30 decent to great actresses in their 30's in South Korea. Can you find that many in Hollywood? No. Of course not. And the fact that all this talent and great material is coming out of a country where it costs 4 times less is a bonanza to streaming media companies. That's why they are all in the game now. But it's the talent that works. SK is just making better material. And you can't do that by just throwing government money at it. Hallyu has arguably the best entertainment production system in the world right now and they are a country of only 50 million people on a landmass that is tiny compared to other countries.

[@pradipshinde6598]

저는 인도인이고 한국을 사랑하고 한국 웹 시리즈와 문화를 좋아합니다. 한국 사람들에게 부탁하고 싶습니다. 제발 우리를 미워하지 마세요

[@wowtv3767]

특정 나라의 특정한 문화를 혐오하는 사람들은 세계 어디에나 있습니다. 하지만 대부분의 한국인들은 인도를 좋아하고 존중합니다. 한국과 인도는 수 천 년의 문화 교류가 있었던 아주 가까운 나라입니다.

[@unkle.k]

아마 하나의 서울의 나이트클럽에서 인도 파키스탄 출입금지 유튜브를 보고 우리가 인종차별을 한다고 생각하시는 것 같은데 사실은 너무 심하게 여자들에게 추근거려서 그런것입니다.저또한 인도를 좋아합니다. 한국을 너무 미워하지마세요.

[@sweetjk8138]

서울에서 미국인들 클럽 출입 금지인지 몇 십년은 됐어요. 제가 클럽 안 다녀서 클럽에서 외국인 금지하는 이유는 전 모르겠음. 전엔 인도네시아인 금지했다가 난리난 적도 있어요. 한국인도 클럽입장 금지 당하는 경우 흔한데 클럽에선 이유를 안알려줘요 그래서 부르는 용어도 있어요 '입뻰'이라고 클럽에서 입장 거부 당했고 이유도 모르는 걸 말해요. 인종 차별적인 이유가 있었다면 제가 다 미안해요 인도인을 싫어하는 건 아니에요. 우리가 인도를 왜 싫어해요? 한국인들의 정신의 뿌리는 불교라서 불교의 고향인 인도를 아주 좋아합니다. 그리고 요새 한국은 인도 배우기 열풍인데요 인도 정치 종교 역사에 대한 강의 유투브에 엄청 많은데 인디라 간디, 펀자브, 시크교, BJP, 구자라트, 벵갈루루 등등 인도에 대한 강의들 엄청 인기 많아요

[@tenisla]

It would have been a very good video if it didn't show South Korean president that much.

[@marjoriecoey3418]

After watching Flower of Evil my first exposure to S. Korea genre I was really impressed by the story, script, atmosphere, use of sound but mostly the stars as they created empathy for their characters. Action scenes were very realistic and well done. LJG is a top character actor! Will be happy to watch more because quality matters.❤🎉

[@mr.nobody7914]

Government play a very vital role in the promotion of these shows if you never seen it how would you judge it that it was a good or it was not.... Korean government advertise the Korean shows and songs, then you start to like it or start to seen it

[@sara.cbc92]

They got there by copying, stealing ideas from Japanese movies, variety shows.

[@Anne-yw9kg]

I didn't expect Jhope to see here 😳 😍 😅😊 his voice is quite opened to audiences 😊😊😊

[@JyG1201]

The Korean government had nothing to do with K-Drama, K-Pop or whole K-Culture. They did nothing. It's just a thing that we many talented entertainers here in Korea and they have been doing their things for many years and finally the world is starting to recognize it.

[@wywon]

It all started with strong protection of culture industry since 60's e.g., screen quotas system. Canada should also continue protecting its own culture industry!

[@Pyrrhic.]

Songs that blend Korean and English or even Chinese and English are great and do resonate with Asian Americans.

[@kingdave1927]

no sorry not chinese, the language is not nice to listen too. just facts

[@x_hibernia]

the reason that this show is miles better than what America could produce is because they are not actively trying to push a message like Budweiser, could you imagine a American show created today not trying to push a message they would make a killing

[@michellearzu1265]

You do know _how much_ product placement these shows have, right? Like ask Subway or the half a million BBQ Chicken combos sold in one month because a character liked it in a show. If you're talking about ideology, it's still there, it just happens to resonate with your values (which is totally cool), so you don't perceive it.

[@coreanstacker5427]

I don't agree with the analysis. The government was rather unsupportive all those decades. They became supportive only very recently.

[@michaellim4165]

This report entirely misses the censorship years of Korean arts. It was. The government, only after realizing the economic and soft power ramifications of the arts in the export market, that they started fully backing these industries. They were the #1 enemy of the arts for all those years. A bunch of hypocrites is what they are now.

[@michellem6826]

BTS forever!

[@bryceehret8149]

It worked I buy stuff for the content

[@seokkyeonghong6094]

It's so outrageous to show the SK president in this report on Krean Wave.

[@jbccheon]

한국문화관련 콘텐츠에 언론과 방송을 억압하고 장악하려고 하는 윤 대통렁을 보여주는 것은 콘텐츠의 신뢰도와 질을 스스로 떨어뜨리는 일이다.

[@willwong1234]

An intentional attempt to break into North American by the use of English. Not necessarily because use of English in Cantonese, Korean or Japanese songs is more "lit" and "in" for even the local market.

[@marjoriecoey3418]

Even watching in translation these are more interesting and I thank Netflix for making at least sone of them available. I attended International Film Festivals in my country for years and there is a lot of great items that dont get enough exposure. 🎉

[@kcjung7363]

I didn't expect to see the most unpopular president Yoon..

[@user-sz9td1zz8w]

지원은 씨앗을 꽃피우게 하는 양분이지 그 자체가 씨앗은 아니다.

[@corrinneyu1760]

한국 정부가 지원한단 얘기의 근거는 대체 어디서 온 거야. 차라리 컨텐츠를 생산하는 기업이 이익을 위해 싸운 결과라는 말이 더 설득력 있지. 케이팝도 기업끼리의 치열한 내부 경쟁 때문에 퀄리티가 올라갔다고 개인적으로 생각함.

[@davisoaresalves5179]

BTS

[@viva3656]

한국 문화의 힘

[@_likewater_4]

01:33 - 10:25

[@Ldv0715]

한국은 70년만에 세계에서 주목할만한 국가 강국이 되었습니다 이것이 우연의 일치 일까요 사람들은 열심히 일했고 잠을 안자고 공부 연구했습니다 그결과로 Samsung Hyundai SK(sun kyung) LG BTS squid game parasites PSY girls generation k-drama k-food 수많은 최고의 기술력을 가지게 되었습니다 나는 우리선조들과 현세대에 깊은 고마움을 느낀다 그동안 역사에서 억압받고 탄압받아온 모든 상황에서의 보상 이라 생각합니다

[@kimseoul8380]

The current present Yun have dragged the Korean dignity down to the level of Somalia just 15 Months after his day of inauguration...

[@kimseoul8380]

Korean dislike to see the brazenface in your video, please make it mosaic...

[@juliotancredi7468]

Don't degrade your own country.

[@funnyk2755]

훠훠훠 쇼국이지만 중국몽 함께하게슙니다아

[@eddychun9601]

Im so embrassed to see President Loon singing in Whit House

[@user-jz4yf3dc2u]

헐리우드는 돈으로 밀어부치고 자극적인 폭력 장면과 성적인 장면으로 관객을 끌려했다 하지만 한국은 시장도 좁고 제작비도 많지 않기 때문에 스토리에 집중, 그리고 출연자들의 연기력도 좋아야 관객을 끌 수 있었음. 그리고 정부가 지원했다고 해외에선 분석하는데 도대체 정부가 뭘 했다는 건지 구체적으로 얘기해보시지....거짓말만 하지 마시고!!!! (특히 한국의 부상을 배아퍼한 일본에서 퍼트린 소문으로 알고 있는데...) 정부가 한 것이라고는 80년대 까지는 영화 등에 대한 검열이라는 것이 있었는데 그걸 없앴다는 것 밖엔 없다!!! 마치 정부가 나서서 제작비라도 지원해 준 것 처럼 거짓말을 하지 마시길.....

[@monapontes5880]

Chinese movies also don’t stay behind of Korean movies. The beauty of the scripts, keep your attention! Love both Korean ande Chinese movies! ❤️👏🏼

[@torrent016]

왜 이런 분석을 중국인한테 들어야 하는지....

[@AA_cowgomoo]

일본인들도 똑같이 말하는 유튜브도 많은데요…. 한국은.... - 정부가 돈을 퍼부어서 성공했다 (그런데 쿨 제팬은 정부가 돈 퍼부어도 망했다. 돈을 더 퍼부어야 했었다). - 미국만을 바라보며 콘텐츠를 만드니 미국에서 성공했다 (일본도 미국만을 위한 콘텐츠를 만들면 성공할 수 있다…. 그런데 아라시는 망했다…. 영어를 어렸을 때부터 배웠으면 성공 했을 텐데…. 그런데 BTS도 영어 못했는데). -노래 가사에 영어 몇 마디를 미국에 성공하기 위해 썼다 (일본 영어 발음이 구려서 알아들을 수가 없어 미국에 성공 못했다)

[@user-eh4tk5zq8n]

아니 근데 미친 ㅋㅋㅋ 처음에 왠 윤석열…;;

[@paulamartin3001]

I love kdrama and cdrama but recently noticed kdrama becoming more westernized which is a travesty I sure they double think there standatds

[@user-vq4gl6ln5s]

지금 윤석열 가족사기단 만 아니었으면 더 발전을 할수 있었는데 !

[@Ooooookokos]

나는 왜 이 중국인이 이렇게 말하는지 이해한다. 그들 중국인은 중국계 캐나다인이더라도 그들의 나라인 중국인 모든 것을 정부가 통제하기 때문임. 결론은 이 사람은 K-POP산업이나 문화에 대해 전혀 모르는 사람이다. 아무것도 알지 못하는 사람이 왜 전문가 행세를 하나??? 한국 음악산업이 정부의 간섭을 받을 때는 오직 방송화면에 너무 자극적인 옷차림으로 나왔을때외에는 없음. 중국인은 한국에 대해 아무것도 모른다.

[@jadenkarim5367]

Squid game was copied from the Japanese anime series and the movie "Kaiji".

[@jonkornealus9604]

@Adora Tsang I mean, that's not just the case of Korean Entertainment. Both China and Japan have a long history of knocking off Korea's cultural content too. It's not a one-sided trade. For example, the popular Chinese hiphop reality show *"Rap of China"* is literally a ripoff of the South Korean hiphop reality show *"Show Me The Money".* The Chinese resturant-themed reality show *"Zhōngcāntīng/中餐厅"* is a direct ripoff of the Korean resturant show *Yoon Shikdang/윤식당"* and so on. Obviously as time progresses there are going to be cultural content that appears familar with what we've seen before. But that doesn't all of them are "knockoffs", some can take similar ideas and produce new results. Such is the case with Korean entertainment.

[@langtoronto]

​@AdoraTsanglol ..China is notorious for ripping off and knocking off everything!!! Jealousy is screaming in your response. Lol! 😂😂

[@mashitta5969]

These days lots of japanese and chinese movies and dramas are copying that of Korean, and lots of japanese chinese want to be Kpop idol or debut in Korea.

[@user-sd3kl4yo7m]

​@@jonkornealus9604일본은 왜 포함하냐??? 중국 공산당 인민인권 탄압 국가는 물론 엄청나게 표절 복사 지적재산권 절도를 했지만 일본은 오히려 한국에 지금은 아니지만 예전에 많이 표절했었다

[@user-sd3kl4yo7m]

​@@mashitta5969너도 이하동문이다 일본은 아니다 물론 중국은 아주 엄청나게 표절을 넘어 아에 그대로 복사를 하는 문화후진국에 자신들의 잘못을 인정 안하는 아주 사악한 인간들인 건 사실이다

[@magdas1698]

Parasite is so overrated🤦🏻

[@langtoronto]

Really...too bad your opinion is the totally the minority. Parasite is seen as a masterpiece by great critics whose opinions actually matters!

[@mashitta5969]

Parasite needs more attention.

[@mupicap7927]

Could not agree more. It was kay. Masterpiece is a no.

[@e.joseline5086]

For a graduate of literature study like me, Parasite is a masterpiece