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| The Vietnamese version of 'Running Man' |
Southeast Asian countries are emerging as a new market for Korean broadcasting content, in line with the government's aggressive foreign policy initiative called the New Southern Policy, which gained momentum at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan last month.
The region could provide a breakthrough for the Korean pop culture industry, which has taken a serious hit in its major market, China, since Seoul allowed the deployment of a U.S. THAAD missile defense system in 2016 despite Beijing's strong objections. Beijing still shows no sign of easing its overt retaliatory steps against Korean TV dramas and entertainment programs, movies and entertainers.
In recent days, however, the exchange of broadcasting content and production between South Korea and Southeast Asian nations has noticeably increased owing to the long-held popularity of Korean pop culture, known as the Korean Wave, or "hallyu."
Universal Asset Global, a South Korean hallyu investment company, successfully screened a preview of the pilot episode of the TV drama "Safety Zone," which it has jointly produced with the Indonesian Police Agency amid great public attention in Jakarta.
Channel 3, Thailand's first commercial TV network, shot its new drama "Prao Mook" at locations in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul and the neighboring city of Gyeongju early last month under a trilateral agreement with the local governments. The drama will air in Thailand early next year.
In the Philippines, Nancy, a member of popular South Korean girl group MOMOLAND, was chosen as the heroine of "Soulmate Project," a series being made by Filipino broadcaster ABS-CBN. She stars opposite famed Filipino-Australian actor James Reid. More than 100 local news organizations reported her casting.
SBS-TV's "Running Man," a long-running variety show, recently held a successful fan meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with 10,000 fans participating. The show, with a unique competition-oriented format and lineup of comedians and guests, has been remade by a Vietnamese TV network.
MBC-TV's drama "Extraordinary You," which ended late last month, posted 62 percent and 51 percent audience ratings in Singapore and Malaysia, respectively.
South Korean producers' entry into local productions is also increasing.
"We support and direct local production, as local content makers somewhat lack the skills, and this subsequently leads to a bigger interest in hallyu and the development of local content," producer Kang Moo-sung, who has set up a production company in Indonesia, said.
Joint content projects between South Korea and ASEAN nations are on the rise thanks to increasing content demand in the region, he added. (Yonhap)
