Korean producers take talent to China
The production crew and cast of "The Greatest Love," producer Kim Young-hee's entertainment show on China’s Hunan TV, pose at a press event. /Korea Times file
By Kwon Ji-youn
More producers of Korean entertainment shows are taking their talent to China.
According to several MBC staff on Monday, producers Shin Jung-soo, Kang Gung and Moon Kyung-tae will leave MBC to join former MBC producer Kim Young-hee in China. Kim is spearheading production of an entertainment show on China’s Hunan TV.
There are concerns about the outflow of talent to China, although the move may also give entertainment hallyu (Korean wave) a boost.
The three producers have produced some of MBC’s most successful entertainment shows.
Shin directed “Come to Play” and “I’m a Singer,” Kang produced “We Got Married” and “Dad! Where Are We Going?” and Moon Kyung-tae directed “I Live Alone” and “Real Men.”
An entertainment show produced by Kim and the other three producers will premiere in China this year.
Two other producers -- one from SBS and another who works for SM C&C, the TV production arm of S.M. Entertainment -- will also join Kim in China.
Entertainment hallyu began with the three major broadcasters exporting program formats to China, but the trend is now seeing more and more Korean producers join hands with Chinese broadcasters to create new content.