Is THAAD casting cloud over Korean pop culture?
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Korean actor Lee Joon-gi waves to fans and to the press as he leaves Sunday for Beijing to promote his latest film. / Yonhap
By Kim Ji-soo
With the Korean government’s decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery next year in Seongju, NorthGyeongsang Province, there is concern arising that the plan might negatively affect the strong popularity of Korean cultural exports to China.
It is a legitimate concern in that the Chinese media have strongly protested the THAAD decision, as the state-backed Global Times warned that Korean entertainment may suffer because of it and as China remains a large market for Korean entertainers. While Japan is the biggest consumer of Korean cultural products, cultural exports to China (including to Hong Kong) in 2014 accounted for about 26 percent or $1.3 billion.
Coincidentally, last week several cultural exchanges and top Korean star fan meetings were put on hold, amplifying worries about Korea. The planned fan meetings of actors Kim Woo-bin and Suzy Bae to promote the current drama “Uncontrollably Fond” in China were postponed due to reasons beyond their control. The drama is also being shown in China on Youku.
“It’s hard to definitively say that there is a backlash (from China) because of the plans to deploy THAAD,” one industry watcher said on the condition of anonymity, as China in recent years has toughened the inflow of foreign content.
“The feeling is that private Chinese companies are either staying low to watch the authorities’ stance or going their way despite the chilly diplomatic ambience between the two countries,” the industry watcher said.
But on Monday, South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun of Keyeast Entertainment signed two commercial ad contracts in China. Kim who starred in the mega-hit Korean drama “My Love From the Star” (2014) along with top actress Jun Ji-hyun are wildly popular in China. Actor Lee Hyun-woo, also of Keyeast, wrapped up filming his Chinese drama Sunday.
Actor Lee Joon-gi, of whom it is speculated is having difficulties obtaining a visa to promote his latest film “Never Said Goodbye,” went to China on Saturday. According to reports, Chinese authorities approved airing the drama “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” starring Lee with top Korean singer and actress IU. The drama also stars Seohyun of Girls’ Generation and Baekhyun of EXO.
“But we will surely have to watch closely what develops in the future,” the industry watcher said.