Korean Wave 1: The Rise of Korean Cinema

Week 10: Korean Wave 1

• Korean cinema has gained global recognition, particularly with directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho.
• Korean films hold a 60% market share, making Korea a significant global box office outside of Hollywood.
• In 2013, movie admissions reached 212 million in South Korea, and per capita moviegoing was the highest in the world.
• South Korea produces approximately 200 films annually, despite a relatively small population of 48 million.

The Rise of Korean Cinema in the Global Landscape

• Korean cinema has achieved global recognition.
• Domestic Korean films hold a significant 60% market share.
• In 2013, Korean movie admissions reached 212 million.
• South Korea competes with major global film-producing nations, releasing around 200 films yearly.

Korean Movie Hallyu

• Korean movie exports set a record high in 2022, exceeding Japan's traditional dominance in the Asian market.
• This was partially due to the increased supply of delayed movies and the rising value of K-movie brand recognition.
• Various figures for 2018–2022 are provided (e.g., Total Sum, Sum of Contract, Local Overage).

Korean Movie Export Trend by Region

• Data is presented graphically (charts) showing export trends across different regions (Asia, North America, Europe, etc.) over several years.

Korean Movie Export Trend by Country

• Data (e.g., amounts, percentages) presented in tables, showing trends across various countries over 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Global Influence on Korean Movies

• Korean directors, like Kim Ki-duk, Hong Sang-soo, and Lee Chang-dong, are exploring themes of post-war poverty and industrialization.

• Their films echo European art cinema styles (Italian Neorealism, French Nouvelle Vague).

• Korean cinema aligns with Third Cinema, challenging neoliberal capitalism and Hollywood dominance.

• Directors like Im Kwon-Taek emphasize traditional Korean themes.

• This reflects a form of cultural resistance.

• Korean cinema resists and imitates Hollywood.

• It outperforms Hollywood locally, and has attracted Hollywood interest for remakes, showcasing adaptability and influence.

The Transformation of Cinema in the Digital Era

• The rise of Google, Youtube, Netflix, and Amazon has reshaped cinema.
• Secondary platforms (e.g., cable, DVDs) are less significant.
• Consumers prefer streaming subscriptions to cinema tickets.
• Digital infrastructure allows Korean cinema to co-exist with new media.
• The digital era has introduced new forms of aesthetic approaches in media studies, like 'post-media aesthetics' and 'afterimages,' which shift beyond traditional ways of experiencing cinema.
• These new trends reduce photorealism for photographic reliability and credibility, reshaping film productions, distribution and consumption.

Korean Cinema's Adaptation to Digital Trends

• The rise of the internet and social media platforms has transformed global cinema.
• Viewers can watch films from home.
• Domestic consumers are content creators as well.
• K-cinema has embraced the digital era successfully.
• This has strengthened rather than diminished its popularity.

Unique Features of Korean Movie

• Korean cinema demonstrates genre diversity; audiences respond to the intensity, realism, violence, tragedy, and deep melancholy.
• K-drama directors often present female perspectives, contrasting Hollywood's typical male-centric storytelling approach.
• Korean cinema delves deeply into the psychological aspects of its characters, especially in thrillers and crime dramas.
• Deep emotional realism resonates among audiences.
• Contemporary Korean films often combine diverse genres as part of their artistic identity.

Korean Cinema's Globalization Strategy and Challenges

• To expand globally, Korean cinema adopts a localization approach.
• Films are adapted for specific markets, changing language and cultural elements.
• One example is A Wedding Invitation (2013).
• Korean cinema is actively targeting the Chinese market, producing Chinese-language films with Chinese actors.
• This approach challenges national identity and cultural elements, raising possible concerns about diluting Korean culture.

OTT Market and Korean Movies

• OTT market growth is blurring boundaries between movies and dramas.
• K-movies are integrated in international film festivals and awards.
• Strong genre films in the 2022 market are identified.

Korean Movies in International Film Festivals

• Data is presented in tables or a chart showing specific titles with awards, directors, and dates of entries in international film festivals (Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, etc.).

Remake and IP Export of K-Movies

• Various K-movies, including A Hard Day (based on Korean webtoon), have been remade in other countries (e.g., France, Philippines, Japan).
• Other Korean movies from webtoons have been remade for export and are identified.
• Specific links to YouTube trailers and other online videos are cited.

Korean TV Shows

• Global OTT services like Netflix and Disney Plus are featuring Korean TV shows that are produced either for global audiences or adapted for specific regions.
• Several popular shows produced and popularized globally from Korea are identified.
• OTT challenges and variations of distribution to prevent IP leakage are noted.

What's the Secret Behind the K-Drama Wave?*

• K-dramas' global appeal stems from high-quality storytelling, universal themes (inequality, power dynamics, human resilience), and socioeconomic issues that resonate widely.
• Female perspectives in K-dramas are a significant draw for international female audiences.
• This contrasts with Hollywood's typical, male-centric storytelling approach.

Challenges of K-Drama

• K-dramas have benefited from production funding by a global company, Netflix, which has broader audiences worldwide.
• However, the increasing reliance on foreign investments, potential monopolization, and pressure from audiences to diversify and include may present a long-term challenge.
• The need to adapt while retaining unique cultural identity is an ongoing concern.

Explore the global rise of Korean cinema through influential directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. Discover how Korean films dominate their market and compete on the world stage with impressive box office statistics. This quiz delves into the factors contributing to the success of the Korean film industry and its cultural impact.