JINJU, South Gyeongsang Province - There is no question that Korean TV drama led "Hallyu", or the Korean Wave, that swept the whole of Asia. When talking about how this was possible, a Korean TV drama producer says it is the delicate expressions of emotions that made success in the Asian entertainment market possible.
"The rising popularity of Korean dramas throughout the Asian regions came from detailed depictions of emotions. I think Korean TV drama's huge success was possible because of this", said Ko Dong-seon, drama producer for MBC, the nation's second largest broadcaster here. Goh is known for his successful debut drama, "Sweet Spy (2006)".
Asked whether Korean dramas' lack fresh and interesting themes, Goh said it is true that Korean drama productions don't easily attempt to cross boundaries and stick to typical love stories.
"Korean dramas are now in danger of copying items already used in earlier dramas, since they are mostly dealing with similar love stories and similar twisted relationships among characters", said Goh.
But he insisted that the detailed description of one's emotions is what characterizes Korean dramas.
"Because the drama basically deals with emotions, I think it is good enough to keep that element as the country's strong point to maintain the popularity of Hallyu", he said.
Goh was meeting with college students during a series of forums on the Korean Wave at the first Korea Drama Festival that ended its four-day run yesterday in the southern city of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
The festival, supported by the local government and MBC, grabbed local attention with a number of Korean TV stars attending the event such as actor Kim Jae-won, actress Park Sol-mi and Jang Seo-hee. Stars in the smash-hit drama "Jumong", also greeted fans separately on the third day of the festival.
The 2006 fest reflects the growing popularity of Korean TV across Asia. According to a study released last year by the government, exports of domestic TV programs amounted to an estimated 110 billion won ($123 million) - 20 times more than the figure a decade ago. Taking this golden opportunity, the Korea Drama Festival sought to grab attention from both in and out of the country.
The four-day festival was also filled with various events and performances that tried to highlight Korean pop culture.
The first celebration ended yesterday with the nation's top designer Andre Kim hosting a fashion show. Kim staged 150 designs inspired from silk, a local product of Jinju. Top Korean actors Cha In-pyo and Lee Soo-kyeong took to the stage with other models at Jinju Fortress, the symbolic venue for the city which bore the brunt of Japanese invasion during the 16th century.
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