“Korea depends on Japan for its creative juice”
The Chosun Ilbo has a very interesting article up about how a great many new Korean dramas and movies are based on Japanese works, noting that the “Japanese Wave” has more staying power than the now ailing “Korean Wave.” Here’s an excerpt from the article:
Among the domestic films released this year, blockbusters like “200 Pounds Beauty,” “Highway Star”, “Black House”, “Kidnapping Granny K” and “Lovers Behind” were all based on Japanese sources. Last year and this year, as many as 21 films were produced in Korea using Japanese source material, a significant rise compared to just five from 2001 to 2005. In other words, Korea depends on Japan for its creative juice.
The biggest strength of the Japanese Wave, then, is creativity. In Japan, popular comics or novels are often made into dramas and movies, creating a kind of a synergy effect. In Korea, hit dramas like “Winter Sonata” and “Daejanggeum” rarely venture into other media. Japan also boasts a rich variety of material for its dramas and movies. Stereotypical Cinderella stories dominate Korean dramas but are almost non-existent in Japan. Instead, bizarre yet brilliantly creative stories of ordinary individuals entertain Japanese viewers.
“Japanese dramas and movies don’t just appeal to the sentimental,” says Yun Ji-won of the LG Electronics’ Life Soft Research Institute. “People don’t get easily bored with Japanese dramas because they portray the life story of an individual in a serio-comical manner unlike Korean dramas that are more or less the same as each other.”
| Related Posts: |
|
Vegesh – Vegetable Juice + Liquor Chinese apple juice sold as Aomori apple juice Poll: Fewer Japanese Admire Korea |
Full RSS Feed
It’s not only Korean but also Taiwan. A lot of their movies and dramas are based on Japanese manga/anime.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
didn’t alot of people already suspect this?
Rate this comment:
0 
0
Not really. Those that never “know” about Japanese entertainment never knew that many of the Kdramas and Tdramas were based on Japanese ideas. On the other hand, Japanese dramas are not as popular as Kdramas. But Japanese entertainment has more European/American fans than other Asian showbizs.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
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.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
That actually mirrors my feeling spot on, although country wise, which form of pop culture that is enjoyed differs, even with Japan. For example, I’ve noticed that Mandarin speaking Chinese seem to, on average, be interested in anime and K-dramas, while Cantonese more into anime and J-pop music. Koreans seem to enjoy J-novels, some anime and American tv (ie Simpsons, Family Guy, Heroes, Lost are known, though other shows don’t seem to be). In Japan, American music and oddly enough, some K-dramas and K-pop/T-pop (mostly with younger girls tho). Yeah, kind of odd that they’d be interested in it when the local versions are what’s inspired them…perhaps it’s cause it reminds them about the older stuff they used to watch/listen. American movies are universally watched, of course.
Also, for the life of me, I can’t seem to get Japanese buddies interested in American shows which I hold so dear, yet they’ve watched that K-drama junk. ugh…
Rate this comment:
0 
0
I watched “200 pounds beauty” and its content story everything was totally different from the manga version. So I think it was just idea not content itself. On the other side chinese/taiwanese copying must be a totally different story. They copy Korean songs blatantly without paying loyalties or without the original singers/writers/composers knowing it.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
Yeah, it’s one of the reasons why I perpetually get into Jdorama marathons (I just finished H2 two days ago), and continue treating KDramas with disdain.
Although, I DID buy this KDrama starring Rain when I was in Taiwan last month… solely because the cover looked cool, and it was cheap. But then, I bought only one Kdrama box set compared to 4 Jdrama box set (even bought the latest Takuya Kimura one, hohoho)
Rate this comment:
0 
0
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200712/gt2007121401.html
japan also depands on korea for its creative juice.
Rate this comment:
0 
0