How South Korean entertainment became a global phenomenon | About That

Summary

The video script discusses South Korea's strategic use of its entertainment industry as a form of soft power. It highlights the country's successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which paradoxically boosted its TV and film industry. The script emphasizes the global success of South Korean productions like 'Squid Game' and 'Parasite', attributing this to a winning formula of emotional storytelling set against dystopian backdrops. It also points out the government's significant investment in the culture sector, viewing it as an export opportunity. The script suggests that South Korea's entertainment industry has become a major economic and cultural force, influencing global audiences and shaping the country's diplomatic power in the 21st century.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The South Korean president's charm offensive includes engaging in song, which is seen as a meaningful cultural exchange.
• 🎥 South Korea takes pride in its arts, with Netflix investing $2.5 billion over four years to produce original South Korean content for a global audience.
• 🌐 'Squid Game' has become the most watched series ever on Netflix, showcasing South Korea's successful cultural export.
• 🏥 The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently benefited streaming services like Netflix, increasing subscriptions as people stayed home.
• 🎬 South Korea's response to COVID-19 was highly successful, allowing their TV and film industry to flourish during a time of global crisis.
• 📈 The South Korean government views its TV and film industry as an export and has heavily invested in it, with significant financial backing.
• 💰 Producing in South Korea is cost-effective due to tax breaks, lower wages, and established infrastructure.
• 🔄 The success of South Korean media is attributed to a winning formula of emotional storytelling set against dystopian backdrops.
• 🎵 The intentional use of English in K-pop, such as in the song that reached a billion views, is a strategic move to break into North American markets.
• 🌟 South Korea's cultural influence, including K-pop and tech giants like Samsung, is the result of decades of investment and prioritization.
• 🤝 The concept of soft power is central to South Korea's strategy, using cultural industries as a diplomatic tool for global influence and attraction.

Q & A

What is the significance of South Korea's president engaging in a charm offensive through song at the White House State Dinner?

The president's use of song is part of a calculated charm offensive aimed at building goodwill and strengthening cultural ties, which can have broader implications for diplomatic and economic relations.

How has South Korea's arts industry become a source of pride and prestige for the country?

South Korea's arts industry, particularly its TV and film sector, has gained international acclaim and viewership, with productions like 'Squid Game' achieving global popularity on platforms like Netflix.

What is the impact of Netflix's investment in South Korean content on the global audience?

Netflix's investment of 2.5 billion dollars over four years to produce original South Korean content has significantly increased the global audience's exposure to and appreciation of South Korean stories and culture.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the entertainment industry, specifically for streaming services like Netflix?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in subscriptions for streaming services like Netflix, as people stayed home and sought entertainment, benefiting these industries greatly.

What role did 'Parasite' play in bridging the gap between South Korean cinema and North American audiences?

'Parasite' served as a clever bridge to North American audiences by telling a relatable story with universal themes, despite its foreign setting and plot, which helped pave the way for other South Korean productions.

How has South Korea's response to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the success of its TV and film industry?

South Korea's successful response to the pandemic, with large-scale testing and vaccination campaigns, kept its per capita death rate low and allowed its TV and film industry to thrive and spread globally.

What is the significance of 'Squid Game' in the context of South Korea's cultural export strategy?

'Squid Game' is a prime example of South Korea's cultural export strategy, showcasing its storytelling prowess and ability to captivate a global audience, potentially becoming Netflix's biggest show ever.

How has the Korean government supported its TV and film industry financially?

The Korean government has designated the culture or content industries as a strategic sector for development, with significant investments into its culture ministry, reaching over seven billion dollars in recent years.

What advantages does South Korea offer for producing TV and film content compared to other countries?

South Korea offers advantages such as tax breaks, lower wages, and well-established infrastructure, making it relatively cheaper to produce high-quality TV and film content.

How has K-pop contributed to South Korea's cultural influence and economy?

K-pop has been a significant growth sector of the Korean economy, driving tourism and consumption of Korean cultural content, and has arguably had a more substantial impact in monetary terms than television or cinema.

What is the concept of 'soft power' and how does it relate to South Korea's cultural industries?

Soft power refers to the ability to attract and persuade others to adopt one's preferences through appeal and attraction rather than coercion. South Korea has explicitly used its cultural industries, including K-pop and TV/film, as a means to exert soft power and enhance its international influence.