The full force of the Korean Wave hit Japan in 2004. Four years later, the phenomenon known here as "hallyu" has succeeded in creating a comfortable niche for itself in the Japanese TV and music world.
In November, 2004, the initial frenzy clogged Narita Airport, as thousands of Bae Yong-joon fans flocked to welcome him to Japan, ten people were injured as the crowd outside his Tokyo hotel scrambled to get a peek at him. Today, the hallyu boom has evolved into a calmer, sustained and widespread interest in Korean pop culture that has increased the Japanese public's desire to better understand the customs, lifestyle and cuisine of their closest neighbor.
Of course, not everyone has rushed to ride the Korean Wave, but it has succeeded in widening the perceptions and perspectives of many. Here on the northern island of Hokkaido, where Korean TV dramas are especially popular, signs of the hallyu presence are everywhere. Ladies gently jostle each other out of the way to get at the wid...| More
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The Japanese media spotlight shined brightly upon hallyu star Park Yong-ha and his "On Air" co-star Song Yoon-ah in Tokyo, Thursday. The actors visited the country to promote their popular Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) TV series, which will start airing in Japan next month.
Some 150 members of the press and about 800 "VIP" guests attended the event held at Toho Cinema in Ropponggi Hills, Yonhap News reported Sunday. Video footage showed hordes of fans that couldn't enter the venue waiting outside, eager to catch a glimpse of the actors.
"I'm very nervous because this is my first time appearing before you as an actor", said Park. "I will try my very best to continue my growth as an actor. I also plan to remain active as a singer in Japan", he said.
The 30-year-old is better known in Japan as a singer. In 2005 he gave sold-out concerts across eight cities and this year won Japan's Golden Disc Award for the fourth consecutive year.
When the SBS drama "My Girl" was shown on primetime Philippine TV in 2006, the dialogue was dubbed in the Filipino language and the characters played by actress Lee Da-hae and actor Lee Dong-wook were re-named Jasmine and Julian.
Filipino audiences fell in love with the romantic comedy series, making it one of the most popular Korean dramas in the Philippines. Since it was such a big hit, ABS-CBN, the broadcasting network that aired the drama, decided to remake "My Girl" with an all-Filipino cast.
ABS-CBN bought the rights to remake the drama from SBS, and the Philippine version of "My Girl" is scheduled to air next month.
"We're retaining the basic core of the story, but we're `Philippinizing' it in so many ways. So it's going to be different. Ours is a combination of drama and comedy. It's a younger version definitely. The number of episodes is slightly more as well. Our version should run for about 16 to 20 hours", ABS-CBN business...| More
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A monthly magazine of the 'Korean Drama Script Writers Association' have printed an exclusive article on the perspectives of the Asian 'Korean Waves lovers' toward the Korean dramas.
Under the title, "The voice of the Asian fans toward the Korean dramas" the article includes a thorough analysis of the elements of attraction in the Korean dramas by the critiques of various Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, China and Japan.
Reporter Jen Ku Yang from 'The Hong Kong Economics Newspaper' said, "For example, previously, many Hong Kongnese only thought of Korea as a violent and unsettled country with large-scaled street demonstrations and violent conflicts. But from the sitcom "No one can stop them", they now see Korea as a creative, stable and scientifically advanced modern society. Also the drama "Be Strong, Geum-Soon!" mirrored the advancements in Korea". However, he pointed out that, "Compare to China or Japan, there are lesser viewers who watch the Korean ...| More
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The film "Changing Partners", the English title of a recently released Korean DVD, examines the question, "Do you live with someone you love now?"
To read between the lines and put it more bluntly, the question it explores is really, "Are you married for money or love?"
In this case most Koreans are probably guilty as charged. At least that's the explanation for the 430,000 ticket buyers on the film's opening weekend in nationwide theaters.
If you married for love, perhaps there's no point in paying 8,000 won ($9) to watch a married couple in a scandal.
The film involves two young couples who are stable and bored. By meeting each other, they discover what has been missing in their own marriages.
Indeed, the idea of cross-affair is a clever hook. It allows viewers to safely enjoy the film while holding their judgment for two hours.
The affair ― there are two ― are civilized affairs. While the characters do hesitate between guilt and desire, their marriage barriers a...| More
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All the pictures
