“Korea depends on Japan for its creative juice”

When I was younger I would consume J-dramas voraciously, but for some reason as I got older I couldn’t stand most Japanese shows (movies and music are another matter). When I finally got to live in Japan, one of the few things I actually came to dislike was Japanese television (particularly its penchant for inserting an overly kawaii moment into every story, regardless of the mood and plot). As for Korean dramas, I tried to get into the fad, but just couldn’t (though for some odd, almost personally unnerving reason, my parents did). Although I’m loathe to admit it, I find the already low quality of American television preferable to Japanese or any other foreign television.

Although it might surprise some, I would say that the reality is that Japanese pop culture products probably have a larger following amongst Koreans and Chinese than amongst Europeans and Americans. In those countries everything from Japanese shows to music are aired more often on local TV and radio than in the West. Additionally, it’s probably safe to say that the widespread interest in things Japanese preceded their popularity in the West by a few decades.

From what I can read (I’m fluent in a few Asian languages), most Koreans or Chinese are aware of the influence of Japanese pop culture, and judging from the ubiquitous presence of the stuff in those countries, generally most seem to like it. When dealing with lay persons, one shouldn’t expect a high degree awareness regarding these things. In the US, few know that a large number of shows like Ugly Betty, to American Idol to Three’s Company are based on foreign shows. The average person just will not care, they’ll just consume what’s in their market.