Originality and simplicity leading the way for Korean entertainment industry

Korean dramas have made a splendid impact on the entertainment industry all around the world. The Oxford English Dictionary added the Korean word 'Hallyu' to its latest edition which describes the international success of South Korean music, film, tv, fashion, and food. 

The outburst of consumption of Korean entertainment overseas in the past few years has made people start comparing this Asian entertainment industry to the Western one. 

From Bangladesh to Brazil, India to Italy, and from the USA to the UK, Korean dramas have captivated audiences all over the world, bringing billions of dollars in investment.

One may ask how this is happening. What is the miracle behind South Korea’s cultural development? 

One of the multiple factors that have influenced the Hallyu wave is the careful management of consumer relationships with the industry itself. The Korean entertainment industry and the people working in it study and observe different Asian trends to catch a glimpse of the many versatile cultures just to market specified Korean Wave products to gain the best probability of success. 

The Korean government has also been active in helping its entertainment industry grow outside Korea by initiating cultural festivals displaying the uniqueness of the Korean entertainment industry. 

The reason behind the Korean government's high investment in films and series from the national budget is that it wants to become the world's leading exporter of entertainment and showbiz. Besides, the Korean government has imposed a screening quota such that each theatre in Korea must screen domestic films for at least 146 days a year. 

South Korea also has many International Film Festivals including Jeonju and Pusan International Film Festival and the largest one, the Busan Film Festival. All these film fares ensure the perfect portrayal of the quality art pieces of Korean culture in front of the world.

The top streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, WBD, China’s WeTV, Tving, and Waave -- all promote Korean Tv shows and movies on their platforms. With the help of these streaming services, Korean content has reached the audiences of the West at a fast pace. 

Investments through big Korean companies like Samsung, Daewoo, and Hyundai have all played a major role in the country's film industry.

According to the Bank of Korea, for the first time in 2020, South Korea gained a trade surplus in intellectual property rights relating to arts and culture. This is a big achievement for South Korea which continued even in the next year. 

Korean tv shows have finely written plots presented with beautiful cinematography. The fine acting of skilled artists catches the eye of the viewers creating a strong bond with the show and relatable characters. 

The approach in which characters interact with each other and the unfolding of the plots in Kdrama is different from other tv shows. Korean dramas are refreshing to see as it tries to avoid vulgarity and focuses on family values and cultural norms. 

The dramas uplift the common family values of Asian society and depict innocent love stories. This is something new for Western viewers who are used to the straightforwardness of American shows that makes nudity and obscene language normal. 

The originality of the plots intrigues the viewers with heartwarming and emotional scenarios. They portray social issues through various story types be it zombies, humans, superheroes, or even game shows. 

However, with today's popularity, directors and production houses are now exploring a variety of ideas. Movies with more controversial and never-before-tested topics are being filmed, which is also contributing to the increasing overall craze for Korean entertainment products.

The rising popularity of Korean culture continues to expand toward the West, diminishing the impact of Western culture on people’s lifestyles. The cultural difference between the Korean entertainment industry and Hollywood promotes diversity in the West and encourages people to learn more about Korean culture through films, language, and even by travelling. 

The production quality of Hollywood has recently been low due to too much vulgarity, lack of originality, and predictable storylines. The famous superhero movies that dominate the box office are usually a reproduction or part of a movie franchise that often follows the same type of story.  

To regain its position as a powerful entertainment industry, Hollywood can look at the South Korean production style for consistent high-quality films that charm audiences. 

The ever-growing popularity of movies, music bands, and dramas has gathered curious tourists from all over the world to experience Korean culture. Many of the dramas have been shoot in serene coastal areas, parks, and exotic rural areas revealing the natural beauty of Korea. The Korean Tourism Organisation offers tours to the various towns and resorts made famous in movies and dramas.

All in all, the rise of the Korean entertainment industry has elevated Korea onto the global stage. International attention on Korea and its pop culture scene has uplifted its economy to a higher stage. 

The quality of its entertainment and cultural products has the potential to surpass other popular industries such as Hollywood and Bollywood. It shows that anyone in the Korean industry shows us that vulgarity and nudity are not the only way to gain popularity and that good content with a positive message will always feed the consumers' taste.

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